"Professor or Associate Professor at the Center for Northeast Asian Studies"

Overview

The Center for Northeast Asian Studies, established in 1996 as an independent research institute inside Tohoku University, aims to create interdisciplinary knowledge that contributes to solving cross-border environmental issues under cooperative globalization. In response to the changing global socio-political landscape, the Center established a new Department of Geopolitical Studies, founded upon the principles of interdisciplinarity, inter- and trans-regionality, and creative collaboration. Bringing together scholars from around the world, the Center is dedicated to integration – of research within and outside of Japan, of scholarship on and of the expertise of Northeast Asian studies – as a driving force for the development of Geopolitical Studies and as a roadmap for its future.

As part of this new initiative, the Center seeks to appoint a distinguished scholar in the Division of Interethnic Relations and Conflict Studies, Department of Geopolitical Studies. The ideal candidate will have a strong record of research on conflict and confrontation, as well as on the institutions that shape them, with particular attention to Russia, East Asia, and Japan. A demonstrated commitment to international collaboration is essential. The position also emphasizes the ability to lead the planning and organization of international conferences and seminars that connect scholars at Tohoku University, across Japan, and worldwide. We are especially interested in candidates who can situate their work within broader debates on geopolitical change and its social consequences, including the experiences of minority groups, and who can demonstrate excellence in building and coordinating international research networks.

Field of Recruitment

Division of Interethnic Relations and Conflict Studies, Department of Geopolitical Studies

Number and Rank of Positions

One Professor or Associate Professor

Area of Specialization

Humanities and Social Sciences related to Interethnic Relations and Conflict Studies

Duties

• Individual and collaborative research related to the area of specialization
• Coordination of international collaborative research with domestic and overseas scholars, and dissemination of research outcomes to society
• General education: Teaching courses at the undergraduate level in accordance with the candidate’s expertise
• Graduate education: Teaching courses at the graduate level (concurrent appointment)
• Administrative duties related to the above

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in the Humanities, Social Sciences or a closely related field by the time the appointment begins
• Advanced proficiency in Japanese and English sufficient for research, teaching, and administrative duties
• Proficiency in an additional language relevant to Northeast Asian Studies (e.g., Russian, Chinese)
• Open to applicants of any nationality
• Established track record in interethnic relations and conflict studies in Northeast Asia
• Willingness to engage in interdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaborative research, and ability to coordinate international collaborative research and disseminate research outcomes to society
• Strong commitment to research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities
• Evidence of potential for significant contributions to the Center, University, and the wider field of Northeast Asian Studies

Salary

To be determined in accordance with university regulations on Employee Salary and will be based on length of experience and performance.
Estimated salary range: 8,000,000–10,000,000 JPY per year (before tax and deductions)
Professor: approx. 9,500,000 JPY per year (Ph.D., 25 years’ experience)
Associate Professor: approx. 8,200,000 JPY per year (Ph.D., 15 years’ experience)
Commuting allowance may also be provided

Employment type

Full-time

Term

Permanent appointment

Working hours

Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work
Basic hours: 8:30–17:15, Monday–Friday; individuals may manage their own hours

Days off

Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and New Year’s holiday (Dec. 29–Jan. 3)

Social insurance

Enrollment in the MEXT Mutual Aid Association (health insurance and Employees’ Pension Scheme), employment insurance, industrial accident compensation insurance

Expected Start Date

As early as possible on or after July 1, 2026 (Wed.)

Application Deadline

December 31, 2025 (Wed.) 17:00 JST *Late submissions not accepted

Application Procedure

Applicants must first complete the pre-application form: https://jotform.com/252398275507466

After submission, a personalized application form will be issued. Please enter the required information (A) directly into the application form and upload all submission documents (B) as separate A4-sized PDF files.
(A) Basic Information (to be entered in the application form)

• Full name
• Email address
• Current affiliation and position
• Year of birth (Optional)
• Gender (Optional)
• Current address (country and city)
• Nationality (Optional)
• Research languages and proficiency level
• Area of specialization
• Current research topics
• Names, affiliations, positions, contact addresses, and email addresses of four referees (two from referees based in Japan, two from referees based outside Japan)

(B) Submission Documents (to be uploaded in the application form)

1. Cover Letter: Motivation and summary of research achievements (maximum 3 pages)
2. Curriculum Vitae (with photo) – use designated Excel format
3. List of Research Achievements – use designated Word format
   • Academic journal articles / book chapters
   • Books
   • Other writings
   • Invited lectures / conference presentations
   • Awards
   • Grants
   • List of courses taught
   • Fieldwork experience
   • Planning/participation in domestic (Japan) and international collaborative research
   • Interaction with researchers and institutions in Japan and abroad
   • Other categories (indicate peer-review status where applicable)
4. Research and Education Statement: Plans and aspirations after joining the Center (maximum 2 pages)
5. Statement on Domestic (Japan)/International Collaborative Research Coordination: Written in Japanese, approximately 1,000 characters
6. Abstracts of five main publications/books: Written in Japanese, approximately 400 characters each
7. Two reprints of academic paper/chapter/book

Submission Notes:

• Upload items (1)–(7) as separate PDF files.
• Each reprint in item (7) must be submitted as one PDF per paper.
• File names must include the applicant’s Romanized name and the document number (1–7). For (7), add “a,” “b,” etc. to distinguish each publication. For example, if the applicant’s surname is Tohoku and given name is Hanako:
  CV: Tohokuhanako_01.pdf
  First reprint: Tohokuhanako_07a.pdf
  Second reprint: Tohokuhanako_07b.pdf

Contact

Please contact the Center for Northeast Asian Studies Administrative Office for any questions or additional clarification: kyouinkoubo.cneas_3@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

Selection Schedule

After the application deadline, submitted materials will be reviewed. Applicants will be notified of the results within approximately two months. Candidates advancing to the second stage must arrange for their referees to submit letters of recommendation within two weeks of notification. Interviews will be conducted thereafter.

Remarks

• Candidates advancing to the second stage must have four recommendation letters (two from referees based in Japan, two from referees based outside Japan) submitted directly by the referees within two weeks of notification. Applicants should inform their referees in advance. Additional documents may be requested.
• Interviews will be conducted in Japanese, English, and other relevant languages. Partial travel expenses for interviews may be provided.
• Tohoku University has established a support system to assist the spouses of qualified faculty members in finding employment opportunities for academic and non-academic jobs within the university. For more information, please contact the recruiting department.
• Tohoku University promotes activities to increase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and encourages people of varied talents from all backgrounds to apply for positions at the university.
• Tohoku University’s website about the DEI Declaration can be found here: https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/about/
• Pursuant to Article 8 of the Act on Securing, Etc. of Equal Opportunity and Treatment between Men and Women in Employment, Tohoku University shall, as a measure for increasing the presence of women among the academic staff, prioritize the hiring of women deemed qualified for each job opening, based on impartial evaluation.
• Tohoku University has published ‘Tohoku University-Live as Who You Are-Guidelines for Gender and Sexual Diversity' to provide explanations and details of how those at the university should respond with respect to diverse sexuality. The purpose of the guidelines is to create an environment in which all students, faculty, and staff respect diverse sexuality in their academic, research, and professional activities. Please see the Tohoku University Center for Gender Equality Promotion website:https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/consulting/for_minority/
• Tohoku University has the largest on-campus childcare system of all Japanese national universities. This network comprises three nurseries: Kawauchi Keyaki Nursery school (capacity: 22) and Aobayama Midori Nursery school (116), both open to all university employees, as well as Hoshinoko Nursery school (120), which is open to employees working at Tohoku University Hospital. In addition, Tohoku University Hospital runs a childcare room for mildly ill and convalescent children which is available to all university employees. See the following website for information on these and other programs that Tohoku University runs to assist work-life balance, to support researchers, and to advance gender equality, including measures to promote childcare leave among male employees.
  Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tohoku University Website: https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/consulting/for_family/
  Human Resources and Planning Department website (Japanese text only): https://c.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/jinji-top/external/a-4-kosodate/