Global Type Call for Applications at Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto

In 2009, the Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers was inaugurated at Kyoto University. The University appoints promising young researchers as program-specific faculty members, and supports the research activities of top level researchers from around the world, to develop visionary researchers who will pioneer new paths in their respective academic fields.

Since 2016, the Project now supports two types of appointments: Global Type and Tenure-track Type. The Tenure-track Type is a part of “the Leading Initiative for Excellent Young Researchers (LEADER)” subsidized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan (MEXT).

This Call for Applications is for the Global Type of appointment. Detailed information of the Tenure-track Type will be announced on the website of the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research.

Research Field

Research projects in all fields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences are welcome.

Eligibility

Researchers with a doctoral degree (or equivalent research abilities) are eligible. All nationalities are accepted.
Those who have previously been appointed to the Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers are not eligible. It is not possible to apply for both the Global type and Tenure-track Type appointments at the same academic year in Japan.

Employment Appointment

Around 10 applicants will be appointed.

Employment Conditions

• Selected applicants will be appointed as program-specific full-time faculty members (associate professor or assistant professor with an annual salary on limited-term contracts), in compliance with the Rules of Employment for Fixed-Term Program-Specific Faculty Members. Their salaries will be determined in accordance with the existing employment regulations of Kyoto University.
• Their affiliation will be the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research (“the Center”), Kyoto University.
• The term of appointment will begin on October 1st 2018 in principle, but can be adjusted according to the requirements of individual researchers.
• The term of office will be 5 years in principle. There can be no renewal of the appointment.
• Appointees will be eligible for MEXT mutual aid association membership, employees’ pension, employment insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance.
• The Center does not have any research facilities. Accordingly, individual researchers are asked to make their own arrangements where possible, by finding a “host” (department/division/researcher) within Kyoto University that is willing to provide suitable research facilities.
• The university will provide each researcher with an annual research fund of approximately 1 to 4 million yen, depending on a number of factors such as the research plans of each individual.
• These individuals will be referred to by the title of “Kyoto University Hakubi researcher” in recognition of their excellent research abilities pioneering new paths in their respective academic fields.
• Researchers on this project shall prepare annual reports on their research activities, and are also required to give presentations on their research results at the end of their fixed term. Although self-assessment shall be implemented according to the regulations of Kyoto University, the Center does not conduct any evaluations.
• After appointment, researchers are obliged to attend Hakubi events.
• After appointment, researchers must observe the Rules of Employment for Fixed-Term Program-Specific Faculty Members, Kyoto University,

Screening Method

• (Primary screening) :
  An expert committee at the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University from the applicant’s respective academic fields will examine application documents, focusing on academic achievements and research plans.
• (Secondary screening) :
  The Hakuraku Council under the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University will conduct interviews. In addition to applicants’ academic achievements, the Council will evaluate their potential to become leading figures in the future global academic community. Interviews will be held at Yoshida Campus, Kyoto University.
• (Third screening) :
  The Steering Committee of the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University will make the final decision as to who is accepted as a Hakubi researcher, considering the results of interviews held by the Hakuraku Council, etc.

Results of Screening

Results of the screening will be sent to all applicants by e-mail.

Please note that information on the process of the screening and reasons for pass/fail will not be provided.

How to Apply / Deadline

• Register the applicant’s information using the form available on the website below.
• When your online registration is completed successfully, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement (or confirmation) e-mail.
• Upload your proposal for the Kyoto University Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers [Global Type] on the website, as indicated in the acknowledgement e-mail of the online registration.
• Applications will be accepted only after the online registration is completed and the proposal is uploaded by PDF. Please note that both conditions must be fulfilled for evaluations to be made.

Deadline for online registration: 13:00 (Japan time), February 7, 2019

Note

• Personal information contained in the application documents will be used only for the purpose of screening applicants and the recruiting procedure, never for any other purpose without applicants’ consent.
• Expenses needed to apply for this project shall be borne by the applicants.
• Kyoto University supports a gender-equal society. We hope that many female researchers will apply for the Hakubi Project.
• If you have any further questions regarding this application procedure, please refer to the FAQ pages.