Description

Overview

The Center for Northeast Asian Studies, established in 1996 as an independent research institute at 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 in April 2025. Through enhanced collaboration with scholars in Japan and abroad, the Center seeks to further promote regional studies that foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of Russia, East Asia, and Japan.

As part of this initiative, the Center invites applications for distinguished scholars in the Division of Diplomacy and Security Studies and the Division of Interethnic Relations and Conflict Studies within the Department of Geopolitical Studies. We seek candidates who possess a comprehensive understanding of Russia, China, and related regions and who demonstrate a strong commitment to research, teaching, and academic administration. The successful candidates will have the ability and motivation to make significant contributions to the Center, the University, and the broader field of Northeast Asian Studies.

We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all nationalities.

1. Field of Recruitment

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

2. Number and Rank of Positions

Two positions: Professor or Associate Professor

3. Area of Specialization

Humanities and Social Sciences related to Diplomacy and Security Studies or Interethnic Relations and Conflict Studies

4. Duties

1. Individual and collaborative research related to the candidate’s field of specialization
2. General education: Teaching undergraduate courses in accordance with the candidate’s expertise
3. Graduate education: Teaching graduate-level courses (concurrent appointment)
4. Administrative duties related to the above

5. Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in the Humanities, Social Sciences, or a closely related field by the time the appointment begins
2. Advanced proficiency in Japanese and English sufficient for research, teaching, and administrative duties
3. Proficiency in at least one additional language relevant to Northeast Asian Studies (e.g., Russian, Chinese, or another regional language)
4. Established research achievements in the relevant field
5. Demonstrated excellence either in coordinating international collaborative research between Japan and other countries or in policy engagement and public outreach

6. Compensation

• The annual salary will be determined in accordance with Tohoku 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
• Social insurance: Enrollment in the MEXT Mutual Aid Association (health insurance and Employees’ Pension Scheme), employment insurance, and industrial accident compensation insurance

7. Employment Conditions

• Employment status: Full-time
• Term of employment: Permanent appointment
• Working hours: Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work. The basic working hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30–17:15; however, the actual working hours are left to the discretion of each employee.
• Days off: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the New Year holidays (December 29–January 3)
• Leave: Annual paid leave, sick leave, and special leave (e.g., marriage or childbirth).
• Other conditions are governed by the Tohoku University Staff Work Regulations: http://www.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/kitei-etsuran/reiki_taikei/r_taikei_01_04.html(Japanese text only)

8. Expected Start Date

As early as possible on or after April 1, 2027

9. Application Deadline

July 20, 2026 (Mon.) 17:00 JST *Late submissions will not be accepted.

10. Application Procedure

To apply, please complete the Pre-Application Form provided below.

Pre-Application Form: https://jotform.com/252397923204459

After submission, a personalized application form will be sent to the applicant by email. Applicants should enter (A) Basic Information in the application form and upload all submission documents listed in section (B) as separate A4-sized PDF files.

(A) Basic Information — to be entered in the application form

1. Application Category (A: Diplomacy and Security Studies or B: Interethnic Relations and Conflict Studies)
2. Applicant Details (partially optional)
3. Research Profile (research languages and researcher IDs)
4. Referee Information (four referees: two based in Japan and two 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
4. Research and Education Statement: Plans and aspirations after joining the Center (maximum 2 pages)
5. One of the following statements (written in Japanese, approximately 1,000 characters):
    (a) Statement on the coordination of international collaborative research with scholars in Japan and abroad
    (b) Statement on public engagement, including policy recommendations
6. Abstracts of five major publications or books (approximately 400 Japanese characters each)
7. Two reprints (electronic copies) of academic papers/chapters/books

Submission Notes:

• Items 1–7 must be submitted as separate PDF files.
• Each reprint in item 7 must be submitted as one PDF per publication.
• File names must include the applicant’s Romanized name and document number. For 7, add “a,” “b,” etc. to distinguish each publication.
  • Example:
    CV: SmithJohn_01.pdf
    First reprint: SmithJohn_07a.pdf
    Second reprint: SmithJohn_07b.pdf

11. Contact

Administrative Office, Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University

Email: kyouinkoubo.cneas_3@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

12. Selection Schedule

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

13. 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 one month 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 welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including gender, age, and nationality.
  • 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/

Requirements

1. Ph.D. in the Humanities, Social Sciences, or a closely related field by the time the appointment begins
2. Advanced proficiency in Japanese and English sufficient for research, teaching, and administrative duties
3. Proficiency in at least one additional language relevant to Northeast Asian Studies (e.g., Russian, Chinese, or another regional language)
4. Established research achievements in the relevant field
5. Demonstrated excellence either in coordinating international collaborative research between Japan and other countries or in policy engagement and public outreach