Researcher Openings

2. Number of Positions Available

One (1) position

3. Field of Specialization

Comparative and intercultural studies of thought, literature, and culture in Japan and East Asia, with a particular focus on the premodern period.

4. Duties and Responsibilities

(Upon Appointment)
The International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) conducts international and interdisciplinary research on Japanese culture and promotes research collaboration with scholars of Japanese studies worldwide.
In addition to pursuing research in their own area of expertise, members of the Research Division are expected to undertake the following duties:

• （１）Organizing or assisting with Team Research.
• （２）Hosting and supporting Visiting Research Scholars.
• （３）Supervising graduate students.
• （４）Performing other duties related to the Center's research, education, public engagement, and administration.

(Role Changes)
None.

5. Qualifications

A Ph.D. degree or equivalent record of scholarly achievement.
Ability to perform duties in Japanese.

6. Expected Starting Date

As early as possible on or after April 1, 2027.

7. Application Materials

• （１）Curriculum Vitae (Download the designated form from the link below. The form consists of two worksheets; both must be completed.)

  ・履歴書

• （２）List of Research Achievements and three major publications (copies of books, articles, or equivalent works are acceptable).
• （３）Names, affiliations, and titles of two referees.
  　 Please include this information in the CV.

8. Selection Process

Applications will first undergo document screening.
Candidates who pass the document screening will be invited to an interview, including a research presentation of approximately 15 minutes.
Interviews may be conducted online via Zoom or a similar platform if necessary.
Interviews are scheduled to take place in October 2026.
Please note that all travel and other expenses associated with the interview are the responsibility of the applicant.

9. Place of Work

(Upon Appointment)
Research Division, International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken)

(Role Changes)
None.

10. Working Conditions

Full-time position with discretionary work system for professional services, as below:
Five-day week (generally not including weekends)
Additional leave on Public Holidays, August special summer holiday and New Year holidays).
*Working hours and vacations are in accordance with the Regulations Concerning Working Hours and Holidays for Employees of the National Institutes for the Humanities.
Flexible working hours by negotiation (subject to the Discretionary Work System for Specialized Professional Work), assuming 7 hours 45 minutes per day (38 hours 45 minutes per week).

11. Salary

Annual salary, paid in accordance with the Regulations for Specified Fixed-Term Employees of the National Institutes for the Humanities.

12. Social Insurance

The successful candidate will be enrolled in:
MEXT Mutual Aid Association (Health Insurance and Employees' Pension Insurance)
Employment Insurance
Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance

13. Application Deadline

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Japan Standard Time)
Applications must be received by the deadline.

14. Submission of Application Materials

Application materials may be submitted either by postal mail or email.

・By Postal Mail
　Selection Committee for the Associate Professor Position (East Asian Culture)
　Human Resources Unit, General Affairs Section, Administration Department
　International Research Center for Japanese Studies
　3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku
　Kyoto 610-1192, Japan
　＊Please write "研究部准教授（東アジア文化）応募" in red on the envelope.

・By Email
　E-mail: jinji*nichibun.ac.jp (Please replace "*" with "@"）
　The email subject line must be:
　 ""Application for Associate Professor, Research Division (East Asian Culture)"
　If you do not receive an acknowledgment email within three business days, please contact the Center again by email.

15. Additional Information

• Application materials will be treated in confidence and not be revealed to third parties.
• Application materials will not be returned at the end of the process.
• The International Research Center for Japanese Studies is an equal-opportunities employer promoting internationalism, diversity and gender-equality, based on the "International Research Center for Japanese Studies Declaration of Human Rights"

16. Contact Information

2. Number of Positions Available

One (1)

3. Duties

(Upon Appointment)
The Office of Digital Resources, Publications, and Public Information plans, develops, and conducts editing and public relations at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (hereinafter, "the Center").
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• （１）Work related to the Center's outreach and engagement with society.
• （２）Support for research collaboration utilizing information technology at the Center.
• （３）Other duties related to the operations of the Office for Digital Resources, Publications, and Public Information.

(Role Changes)
None.

4. Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• （１）Hold a doctoral degree or possess research achievements equivalent thereto.
• （２）Have experience in planning and implementing outreach/collaboration initiatives and related activities at an academic research institution.
• （３）Be able to perform duties in Japanese. The ability to work in English is desirable.

5. Expected Start Date and Term

As early as possible after January 1, 2027.
Term of appointment: Three (3) years. Reappointment is possible once only, for a period of two (2) additional years.

6. Application Documents

• （１）Curriculum Vitae (download the designated form; both sheets must be completed).

  ・履歴書

• （２）List of research achievements and three major publications (copies of books, articles, etc. are acceptable).
• （３）Statement describing experience in outreach and engagement activities (approximately 1,000 Japanese characters).
• （４）Statement of aspirations regarding the activities of the Office for Digital Resources, Publications, and Public Information and the Center as a whole (approximately 1,500 Japanese characters).
• （５）Names, affiliations, and positions of two referees (to be included in the CV).
• （６）Copy of diploma or degree certificate for the highest academic qualification.

7. Selection Process

Applicants will first be screened based on the submitted documents. Those who pass the document screening will be invited for an interview, which will include an oral presentation (approximately 15 minutes) regarding their research and related activities. Interviews may be conducted online via Zoom or a similar platform. Interviews are scheduled for September-October 2026. Travel and other expenses associated with the interview must be borne by the applicant.

8. Work Location

(Upon Appointment)
Office for Digital Resources, Publications, and Public Information, International Research Center for Japanese Studies.

(Role Changes)
None.

9. Working Conditions

Full-time position with discretionary work system for professional services, as below:
Five-day week (generally not including weekends)
Additional leave on Public Holidays, August special summer holiday and New Year holidays).
Working hours and vacations are in accordance with the Regulations Concerning Working Hours and Holidays for Employees of the National Institutes for the Humanities..
Flexible working hours by negotiation, assuming 7 hours 45 minutes per day (38 hours 45 minutes per week).

10. Salary

Annual salary, paid in accordance with the Regulations for Specified Fixed-Term Employees of the National Institutes for the Humanities .

11. Conditions

Enroll in the Mutual Aid Association of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, unemployment insurance, and workers' accident compensation insurance.

12. Application Deadline

Monday, August 31, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (JST) -- application materials must arrive by this deadline.

13. Submission of Application Materials

By Postal Mail
Selection Committee for Assistant Professor Candidate
Human Resources Unit, General Affairs Section
International Research Center for Japanese Studies
3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku
Kyoto 610-1192, Japan
＊Please write "総合情報発信室助教応募募" in red on the envelope.

By E-mail
E-mail: jinji*nichibun.ac.jp (Please replace "*" with "@"）
Use"Application for Assistant Professor, Office for Digital Resources, Publications, and Public Information " as the subject line.
If you do not receive an acknowledgment of receipt within three business days, please contact the Center by e-mail.

14. Additional Information

• Application materials will be treated in confidence and not be revealed to third parties.
• Application materials will not be returned at the end of the process.
• The International Research Center for Japanese Studies is an equal-opportunities employer promoting internationalism, diversity and gender-equality, based on the"International Research Center for Japanese Studies Declaration of Human Rights"

15. Contact Information