Job Information
Organisation/Company: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Department: Personnel Unit, General Affairs Group, Administration Department
Research Field: Mathematics, Astronomy, Geosciences, Chemistry, Physics, All, Other
Researcher Profile: Established Researcher (R3)
Application Deadline: 11 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)
Country: Japan
Type of Contract: Permanent
Job Status: Not Applicable
Hours Per Week: See description
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Background of the recruitment and description of the project
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has been playing a key role in the forefront of astronomical research worldwide, as demonstrated in the construction and operation of large-scale astronomical facilities such as Subaru Telescope, Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), supercomputers for astrophysical simulations (ATERUI III), and Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) as well as in the development of space-based instruments, in the effort to promote cutting-edge astronomy utilizing these advanced telescopes.
The Division of Science (DoS) has been contributing to the scientific achievements, progresses, and future plans of the NAOJ's current projects and domestic/international projects from broad, long-term scientific perspectives, the delivery of world-leading scientific results by bridging observation and theory with unbounded ideas, the advance of the frontiers of astronomy, the expansion of horizons of astronomical knowledge, the development of early career researchers, including through education of graduate students, and the exchanges and collaboration with domestic and international researchers.
Work content and job description
We invite applications from female researchers for one associate professor position at the DoS, NAOJ, who conducts pioneering studies by bringing new ideas and key innovations to astronomy from observational and theoretical perspectives. The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate high-impact research with broad and deep knowledge of astronomical phenomena: for instance, a study of groundbreaking theory that can open up an opportunity for planning out the next-generation telescope(s)/instrument(s); an epoch-making discovery based on observations that can build up the standard model or exceed its prediction; and so on. The successful candidate is also expected to explore the new possibilities of astronomy, to take the initiative in promoting scientific activities that impact on relevant research fields, to broaden the horizons of research fields in the DoS, and to lead community-wide discussions in astronomy beyond own research fields to establish future flagship projects. The responsibilities of this position require continuously demonstrating leadership and outstanding performance in research activities and also promoting collaborations among NAOJ scientists as well as collaborations among international and Japanese communities to stimulate productivity of science by making the best use of NAOJ's facilities. Education of young scientists, including supervising students in the PhD's program, is also required as part of the responsibility.
(Scope of possible changes) Research and Teaching Activities designated by NINS / NAOJ
Assigned department: Existing departments
Work location
Address: 181-8588 Tokyo 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka-shi
Division and Location: Division of Science, Mitaka, Tokyo
(Scope of possible changes) Location designated by NINS / NAOJ
Number of hired: 1 person(s)
Where to apply
Website: https://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekJorDetail?fn=0&ln=1&id=D126061294&ln_jor=1
Additional Information
Benefits
Compensation
Annual salary: 7 million yen - 10 million yen
Wages description: Salary: Annual salary shall be determined based on professional knowledge, skills, required education, and job experiences as per the NINS regulations (NINS, or the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, is an upper-level organization that manages NAOJ). Payments will be made monthly in 12 equal installments.
Allowances: Dependent allowance, residential allowance, commutation allowance, and other allowances will be paid to employees who meet the conditions outlined in the NINS regulations. An amount equivalent to the year-end allowance and diligence allowance will be included in the annual salary.
Working hours: 08:30-17:15
Break time: 12:00-13:00
Holidays: Saturdays and Sundays, National Holidays, New Year holidays (December 29th - January 3rd), Annual paid leave, Refreshment leave, Summer closure, Bereavement leave, etc.
Overtime and other explanations: The Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work shall be applied. (standard work hours: 38.75 hrs/week, from 8:30 to 17:15 with an hour intermission)
Employment type: Regular employee
Contract period: Tenured
Contract period description: The successful candidate should be able to start working at NAOJ as soon as reasonably possible after accepting the job offer. The term of the contract will continue up to the end of the Japanese academic year in which the candidate reaches NAOJ's mandatory retirement age of 65.
Probationary period: Probationary period present
Probationary period description: The hired candidate will undergo a six-month probationary period upon commencement of employment.
Various systems
Pay increase system: available/ Once a year in accordance with the performance review
Retirement allowances: Provided
Retirement age: available/65
Others: Travel and relocation: Eligible employees will be provided with a relocation travel package to NAOJ, subject to the travel regulations of NINS (details must be arranged with the administration office).
Insurance
Employees' Health Insurance: available/MEXT Mutual Aid Association
Employees' Pension Insurance: available
Worker's accident insurance: available
Employment insurance: available
Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is prohibited on the premises excluding designated outdoor smoking areas.
Additional comments
・This position is subject to the NINS Employee Regulations. The annual salary schedule indicated in Table (2) of the Research-Education Employee Base Annual Salary shall be applied to this position.
・Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity: NAOJ is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and strives to pay regard to advancing equality. To this end, this open recruitment has made use of positive action in accordance with Article 8 of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act for Men and Women (Special Provisions Concerning Measures for Female Workers).
・If you have taken a leave(s) for maternity, childcare, and family care, please indicate it in your curriculum vitae. We will take it into account when assessing your performance. For details, see https://www2.nao.ac.jp/~open-info/genderequality/en/.
・NINS implements the program to support staff members (young researchers) who received educational loans (scholarships) from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and are now repaying them. For details, see https://www.nins.jp/about/folder7/dairihenkan.html.
Name of recruiter
Inter-University Research Institute Corporation, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS),
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Country: Japan
City: Tokyo
Contact
City: Tokyo
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