Work location : Kyushu and Okinawa district - Kumamoto
Date of publication : 2025/10/22
D125101702
Kumamoto University
Research field : Life Science - Unspecified
Professor level : Regular employee - Nontenured - Non-tenure track - Probationary period present
Associate Professor : Regular employee - Nontenured - Non-tenure track - Probationary period present
Job description
Background of the recruitment and description of the project
The Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG) at Kumamoto University is now seeking applications for the position of Professor or Associate Professor (Independent Associate Professor). We welcome applications from individuals who can develop original research in the following areas: (1) the control mechanisms of life at the cell, organ, or individual levels; (2) the origination, maturation and regeneration of internal organs and tissues; (3) the quantification and mathematical modeling of life phenomena; and (4) the integration of life phenomena and engineering fields, and who can actively collaborate with IMEG faculty members.
IMEG’s mission is to conduct world-class research and develop highly competent life-science researchers in the field of embryonic medicine. Certified by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a national cooperative research center, we promote collaboration between domestic and international research communities. In 2012, we established the Center for Organ Regeneration Research (CORRE) for the purpose of bridging the gap between pure research and clinical practice. Furthermore, in 2022, we founded the Research Center for High Depth Omics and established the system to perform high-depth analysis at the single-cell level.
●Strong Support for Young Independent Researchers
The Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center (LILA) at IMEG has a dedicated team of technicians including 3 specialists with Ph.D. to support your research in various ways, such as operating state-of-the-art common equipment. With the help of LILA, newly recruited researchers can engage in their research immediately after starting their position. Additionally, the Institute of Resource Development and Analysis (IRDA), which is located next to IMEG, has a comprehensive animal experimentation and technical support system that uses genetically modified mice.
Work content and job description
In this recruitment, we are seeking up-and-coming Professors or Associate Professors (Independent Associate Professors) who will lead their own laboratory to pursue cutting-edge research in medical and life sciences, getting the most out of the support that IMEG offers. Also, they are expected to teach classes at the graduate school (Graduate School of Medical Sciences and/or Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences) and provide research guidance to graduate students.
Assigned department
Existing departments
Institute of Molecular Embryology & Genetics (IMEG)
Job type
Research field
Wages
Common to all Job Types
Annual Salary : 6 million yen ~ 10 million yen
〇Professor: ¥7,000,000–¥10,000,000
〇Associate Professor (Independent Associate Professor): ¥6,000,000–¥8,000,000
In accordance with the Kumamoto University Regulations on Salary for Employees under the Annual Salary System (2nd-grade annual salary system).
- The salary amount is an estimate and may vary depending on academic background, work experience, and other factors.
- In addition to the above, allowances such as housing and commuting may be provided based on conditions.
-Kumamoto University offers a system that enables principal investigators to allocate a portion of direct expenses from competitive research grants or privately funded joint research toward salary supplements (up to 10 million yen per year for professors, up to 8 million yen per year for associate professors). Alternatively, these funds may be used as discretionary research expenses or to support the employment of early-career researchers.
For details, please refer to the following website:
https://www.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/kenkyuu_sangakurenkei/kenkyuu/kenkyu/jwalct
Note: This website is available in Japanese only.
Working hours
Common to all Job Types
Working hours :08:30-17:15
Break time :12:00-13:00
Holidays : Sundays, Saturdays, holidays stipulated in the National Holidays Law, days from December 29 to January 3 of the following year, and other days as specifically designated.
Overtime and other explanations :
Specialized Discretionary Labor based on mutual agreement: The working hours are left to the discretion of the employee, with the daily working time considered to be 7 hours and 45 minutes.
Application requirements
Qualifications
Education and Degree Requirements
Ph.D. / Doctor
Description
Doctoral Degree (including equivalent award from abroad)
Employment Type
Common to all Job Types
Regular employee
Contract period
Common to all Job Types
Nontenured - Non-tenure track
●Term of Employment: Fixed-term position
- Professor: 5 years from the date of appointment (reappointment is possible once. One may be converted to a tenure-track position without a fixed term upon review).
- Associate Professor (Independent Associate Professor): 5 years from the date of appointment (reappointment is possible once. Upon review, one may be promoted to professor within 10 years of employment).
●Reference: Kumamoto University Regulations on Term of Employment for Employees
http://kokai.jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/~kisoku/act/frame/frame110000060.htm
Probationary period present
Probationary Period: 6 months
Work location
Location: Kumamoto University, Honjo, Central District
Compensation
Various systems
Pay increase system : available
Bonus : available
Retirement allowances : available
Transportation expenses : available
Retirement age : available
Insurance
Employees' Health Insurance : available (MEXT Mutual Aid Association)
Employees' Pension Insurance : available (MEXT Mutual Aid Association)
Worker's accident insurance : available
Employment insurance : available
Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
No smoking on the premises
Supplementary explanation of compensation
Overtime Work: Overtime, including late-night and holiday work, may be required.
Social Security: The employees will be enrolled in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Mutual Aid Association, Employment Insurance, and Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance.
Employer:Kumamoto University
●Post-employment Conditions:
Professors and associate professors (independent associate professors) are expected to teach classes at the graduate school (Graduate School of Medical Sciences and/or Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences) and provide research guidance to graduate students. Upon appointment, you will be provided with dedicated research space and start-up funds. Additionally, depending on your position, the following staff employment options are available:
-Professor: Upon selection, one faculty member (associate professor or assistant professor) will be hired. Additionally, you will be given priority for two years with hiring one postdoctoral researcher. If your research achievements are particularly outstanding, an additional faculty member (assistant professor) may be appointed.
-Associate Professor (Independent Associate Professor): Upon selection, one faculty member (Assistant Professor) may be hired.
Application Considerations
Others
●Supportive Environment for Female Researchers
Kumamoto University promotes gender equality, and IMEG has its own gender equality initiatives. Currently, 6% of the faculty members at IMEG are women. We welcome and encourage applications from female researchers for this open call, and this position is reserved for women.
*For gender equality initiatives that are being implemented at Kumamoto University and IMEG, see:
http://www.imeg.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/danjo/
*For an overview of IMEG, refer to our website at: http://www.imeg.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/en/
〇 This recruitment is aimed exclusively for women as a measure to actively improve the significantly low percentage of female faculty members, in accordance with Article 8 of the "Equal Employment Opportunity Act" (Special Provisions for Measures Pertaining to Female Workers).
〇 If no applications are received during the period of exclusive recruitment for women, or if no candidates are selected as a result of the selection, the position will be opened to male applicants.
〇 Kumamoto University promotes diversity. For information on Kumamoto University's childcare support and gender equality initiatives, visit: https://diversity.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/activities
〇 In the evaluation of performance, the periods of parental leave, caregiving leave, and maternity/paternity leave (hereinafter referred to as 'parental leave, etc.') will be considered as follows (if there are multiple periods, they will be combined):
-When evaluating performance over the past five years and the number of years spent engaged in research, the number of years equivalent to the periods of parental leave, etc., taken during the evaluation period will be added to the evaluation period.
-When calculating and evaluating the number of years engaged in research, the number of years equivalent to the periods of parental leave, etc., taken during the evaluation period will be subtracted from the total years of research engagement.
-Kumamoto University offers a system that enables principal investigators to allocate a portion of direct expenses from competitive research grants or privately funded joint research toward salary supplements (up to 10 million yen per year for professors, up to 8 million yen per year for associate professors). Alternatively, these funds may be used as discretionary research expenses or to support the employment of early-career researchers.
For details, please refer to the following website:
https://www.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/kenkyuu_sangakurenkei/kenkyuu/kenkyu/jwalct
Note: This website is available in Japanese only.
Number of hired
1 person(s)
Description
Professor or Independent Associate Professor: 1
Hiring date : 2026/05/01
Starting date : 2026/05/01
Job content supplemental explanation
This recruitment allows you to apply for any of the following positions: Professor or Associate Professor (Independent Associate Professor. It is also possible to apply for both positions. The selection committee will take this into consideration, so please specify the desired position(s) ("Professor," or "Associate Professor (Independent Associate Professor)) in the "Research & Education Aspirations " [Form 5] of your application.
*1 An “independent associate professor” at IMEG is an associate professor who manages their own laboratory and can be promoted to full professor based on evaluation and assessment of their achievements (in recent years, one independent associate professor was promoted to full professor in AY2011, and two in AY2022).
●Start of Employment: As soon as possible after May 1, 2026 (negotiable)
Application period
2025/10/22~2025/12/01 Deadline for receipt
Application method
Application documents (specified forms)
Attached documents
Other online application forms
(1) Letter of Recommendation (from one (1) recommender)
(2) Contact Information for Recommender (name, affiliation, title, contact details (phone number, email address))
(3) Resume [Form 1]
- Please be sure to include your email address and contact information.
- Regardless of your gender, please indicate in the remarks any periods of extended leave from work due to childbirth, childcare, or nursing care (for elderly relatives).
(4) List of Achievements [Form 2]
(5) List of Major Research Papers (including reviews) [Form 3]
(6) Outline of Achievements Related to Research and Education [Form 4]
(7) Aspirations for Research and Education [Form 5]
(8) Research Plan [Form 6]
(9) Reprints of up to five (5) major papers
Please attach reprints of up to five major papers listed in the major research papers.
● How to Apply: Email
・Applicants should submit electronic versions (PDF) of the application materials (2) through (8) listed in "8. Application Materials". Please combine items (2) through (8) into a single PDF file, and submit item (9) as individual PDF files for each paper. Ensure that all file names include your name in alphabetical characters.
・Example: (2) to (8): Taro_Kumadai_CV.pdf; (9): Taro_Kumadai_1.pdf, Taro_Kumadai_2.pdf, Taro_Kumadai_3.pdf, Taro_Kumadai_4.pdf, Taro_Kumadai_5.pdf
・The letter of recommendation (item (1)) should be sent directly by the recommender to the email address specified below in Section 10.
・The subject of the email should be "Kumamoto University IMEG Application Documents - «Your Name»"
・The maximum email size is 20MB. If the total file size exceeds 20MB, please notify us in advance by email. We will provide a link for an online storage.
・After receiving the application documents, the administrative staff will send you a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email within three business days, please contact us at the phone number listed below in Section 10.
Return of application documents
We will dispose of all application documents responsibly.
URL of this job posting
Selection / Notification of result
Selection
Document screening, seminar, and interview.
In the selection process, candidates may be asked to present at a seminar or to be interviewed (which may be conducted online).
Notification of result
The results of the selection process will be communicated via email.
Personal information provided in the application materials will be used solely for the purpose of this selection and employment process in accordance with Kumamoto University regulations.
Contact details
Kumamoto University
Administrative Division of Research Centers for Life Sciences
Sohnosuke Kohzuki
0963736637
iys-senter-2(at)jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
* Please change (at) to @ and send it.
●IMEG Representative(Contact for research inquiries):
Akira Nakamura
Director, Selection Committee for IMEG Professor or Associate Professor (Independent Associate Professor)
Mail: akiran@kumamoto-u.ac.jp
Notes