Specially Appointed Assistant Professor for Academia-Industry Fusion (or Specially Appointed Lecturer for Academia-Industry Fusion)

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Established Researcher (R3)

Application Deadline: 20 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)

Country: Japan

Type of Contract: Temporary

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]

Nagaoka University of Technology invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position as a "Specially Appointed Assistant Professor (or Specially Appointed Lecturer) for Academia-Industry Fusion." This role actively promotes interdisciplinary research and industry-academia integration, with an appointment term through March 31, 2032.

As a university selected for the "Program for Forming Japan's Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS)" sponsored by MEXT and JSPS, Nagaoka University of Technology is strongly driving societal transformation through "convergent knowledge" that transcends academic disciplines and organizational boundaries. To achieve this key priority, we have launched a unique organizational reform—establishing new "Research Units"—and are seeking a researcher to jointly advance cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and its societal implementation.

The appointee will be affiliated with the Top Runner Incubation Center for Academia-Industry Fusion and will be able to focus primarily on research. To support this, startup funds will be allocated and administrative duties will be minimized.

Tenure will be granted based on an interim evaluation and a final evaluation. Candidates who demonstrate particularly outstanding achievements in the interim evaluation may receive tenure at that stage.

https://sx.nagaokaut.ac.jp/research-units/

[Work content and job description]

[Research Fields]

Applicants are invited internationally for one position in the following research area.

[Details of research area]

Environmental engineering research on microbial resource recovery and recycling, with a particular focus on environmental microbiology and bioelectrochemistry. We seek candidates who can advance research in areas such as anaerobic biological treatment and anaerobic digestion (methane fermentation). Potential research topics include the control of microbial functions and metabolism through interspecies electron transfer and interactions with electricity, light, viruses (phages), and other factors, as well as the production of valuable materials and energy by harnessing these mechanisms. We welcome candidates who are enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research spanning fundamental mechanistic studies, bioreactor development and demonstration, and real-world implementation.

[Desirable Characteristics]

Individuals with a strong passion for research in the specialized field listed above, with a commitment to deepening and advancing the discipline.

[Job Description]

(Immediately after hiring)

As a tenure-track faculty member, you will conduct research in the above-mentioned specialized fields within a research unit*.

*A research unit is a group of faculty members from different disciplines formed to promote interdisciplinary research.

(Scope of change) Operations as determined by the university.

* Assigned department
Existing departments

[Work location]

* Address
940-2188 Niigata 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka Nagaoka University of Technology
(Scope of change) Locations determined by the University (including locations where telecommuting is performed)

[Number of hired]

Number of hired: 1 person(s)

Job content supplemental explanation: [Address of work location and other information]
Nagaoka University of Technology
1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan

[Number of positions]

One position is available
Specially Appointed Assistant Professor for Academia-Industry Fusion (or Specially Appointed Lecturer for Academia-Industry Fusion)
*In principle, the successful candidate will be appointed as a Specially Appointed Assistant Professor for Academia-Industry Fusion. However, depending on the results of the selection review, the appointment may be made as a Specially Appointed Lecturer for Academia-Industry Fusion if deemed particularly necessary.

[Starting date]

April 1, 2027 or as early as possible thereafter (negotiable)

*On September 15, we made some changes to the Title. (added "or Lecturer Level".)

Requirements

Additional Information

Benefits

[Compensation]
Annual salary: 5 million yen - 8 million yen
Wages description: Lecturer: approx. 6~7.5 million yen
Assistant Professor: 5.5~6.5 million yen
*Wages will be determined based on education and work history.
*Based on our University's salary regulations (New annual salary system applied), including bonuses.
Working hours: 08:30-17:15
Break time: 12:00-13:00
Holidays: Weekends, National holidays, December 29th to January 3rd, October 1st (anniversary of the opening of the university)
Overtime and other explanations: By agreeing to apply the discretionary work system for specialized work, the employee is considered to have worked 7 hours and 45 minutes per day on a given workday. If the discretionary work system for specialized work is not applied, the employee will work from 8:30 to 17:15 five days a week (break 12:00 to 13:00), and may be ordered to work overtime.
Employment type: Regular employee
Employment type description: Full-time
Contract period: Nontenured-Tenure-track
Contract period description: The last day of employment will be March 31, 2032. One who has accomplished promising research will be promoted to tenured position.
Probationary period: Probationary period present
Probationary period description: Trial period: 6 months

[Various systems]
Pay increase system: available
Bonus: available
FY2025 actual: 4.65 months
Retirement allowances: available
Transportation expenses: available
*Maximum amount: 150,000 yen/month Paid in accordance with the University's regulations.
Retirement age: available
Retirement age: 65 years old

[Insurance]
Employees' Health Insurance: available
Joining the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Mutual Aid Association.
Employees' Pension Insurance: available
Joining the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Mutual Aid Association.
Worker's accident insurance: available
Employment insurance: available

[Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace]
Smoking is strictly prohibited on all university premises. (designated outdoor smoking areas provided)

[Supplementary explanation of compensation]

[Salary]
Salary is paid under a new annual salary system and will be determined by taking into account professional experience, research achievements, and other relevant factors in accordance with university regulations.

[Research Environment Setup Funds (Startup Funding)*]
As startup research funding, 2 million yen will be allocated in the first year (3 million yen if appointed as a Specially Appointed Lecturer), followed by 1 million yen per year from the second year onward (*Limited to individuals under 40 years of age at the time of appointment).

[Research Environment]
Tenure-track faculty members are guaranteed a research environment under the leadership of a Research Unit Leader, enabling them to dedicate themselves to their research activities.

[Term of Appointment]
Fixed-term: Yes
Term: Within 5 years from the date of hire (Until March 31, 2032)
Contract Renewal: Not renewable
Transition to Tenure: If the candidate passes the tenure review, they will be appointed as a faculty member with an indefinite term. If the candidate fails the tenure review, they will not be appointed as a tenured faculty member, and their employment will terminate upon the expiration of their term. For details, see "Tenure Evaluation and Promotion" below.

[Tenure Evaluation and Promotion]
Tenure-track faculty undergo an interim evaluation in their 3rd year, where exceptional candidates may earn tenure. A final review occurs in the 5th year for tenure status. Reviews follow designated evaluation criteria.

[Salary Regulations for Employees]
https://public2.legalcrud.com/nagaokaut/act/110000145.html

[Regulations for Staff Subject to the New Annual Salary System]
https://public2.legalcrud.com/nagaokaut/act/110000145.html

[Staff Employment Regulations]
https://public2.legalcrud.com/nagaokaut/act/110000145.html

Additional comments

The university actively promotes gender equality and provides comprehensive support for work-life balance during major life events.
(https://gender.nagaokaut.ac.jp/en/support/system/)

We have launched a faculty and staff recruitment website. The site features interviews and discussions with current faculty and staff to introduce our university, as well as information on training programs, so please be sure to check it out
(https://www.nagaokaut.ac.jp/j/recruit/index.html)

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Nagaoka University of Technology
Country: Japan
City: Niigata

Contact

City: Niigata