Research Areas and Leaders

[Research areas]	I.    Biomaterial Science/ Medicine II.   Bioengineering (Biotechnology)/ Engineering III. Vegetable and Ornamental Horticulture/ Agriculture
[Number of positions]	A total of 3 assistant professor positions (one for each area)
[Qualifications]	1) Applicants should have research experience in one of the above-mentioned research areas or related fields. In addition, applicants should be able to work independently and be highly motivated in their pursuit of original and innovative research in their own area of interest. Furthermore, applicants are expected to contribute actively to the education of students. Applicants must have a Ph.D. awarded within the past 3 to 10 years, have a minimum of 3 years post-doctoral research experience in a related research field. 2) International applicants must be able to communicate in English. International TT assistant professors will be expected to develop the ability to communicate in Japanese while they work at our university because they will have to teach students when they are promoted to associate professor.
[Location]	Miyazaki-shi Kibana Campus or Kiyotake Campus
[Term of employment]	2 April, 2012 – 31 March, 2017
[Application closing date]	5:00 pm, Friday 9 December 2011 (Japan Standard Time)
[Selection]	First screening involving review of documentation. Second screening involving interviews and seminar presentations.

The University of Miyazaki, one of the National University Corporations in Japan, consists of four faculties: Education and Culture, Medicine, Engineering, and Agriculture. Following the motto, "Look at the world, start with the community", we are aiming to be a world-class research institution in the fields of both Life Science and Environmental Science, as well as contributing to the development of communities in the Miyazaki area in Japan.

In 2009 our university launched the "Model Program for Young Principal Investigators" supported by the Special Coordination Fund for Promoting Science and Technology of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. We appointed 10 young assistant professors who are employed by the "Interdisciplinary Research Organization (IRO)”, which is an independent entity within the University of Miyazaki., and they are now carrying out their research in their own laboratories. At the end of the 5^th year, or earlier, the assistant professors whose scientific achievements have been evaluated as meeting the criteria for appointment to associate professor will be promoted to positions in related departments or research centers within the University (The appointments in the Faculty of Medicine will be fixed term with a possibility for reappointment.)

As the second stage of our program, we offer three tenure track assistant professor positions (TT assistant professor). We strongly encourage applications from international or female candidates in this call.

Research funds and independent research environments will be provided for the successful applicants. Successful applicants will be expected to develop their research effectively and flexibly during their 5-year term. TT assistant professors demonstrating excellent performance in their final evaluations will be promoted to associate professorship positions in their related departments or research centers of the University.

1 Education and Research Areas, and Faculty

I.    Biomaterial Science/Medicine
We are seeking a young researcher who (i) has sound academic expertise in bioorganic chemistry and structural biochemistry, (ii) can, as a principal investigator, actively promote research that leads to the integration of medical science, chemistry and basic biology (e.g. the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic reagents) using approaches based in bioorganic chemistry and structural biochemistry, and (iii) can give lectures on inorganic and organic chemistry to undergraduate students.

II.   Bioengineering (Biotechnology)/Engineering
We are seeking a researcher interested in experimental and analytical research to clarify mechanical characteristics of human structural mechanisms and movement and to seek practical methods to improve and recover human functional movement. A sound knowledge of mechanical design and finite element analysis will underpin the applicant’s ability to conduct research independently in our department. In addition, he/she should be motivated and capable of specializing in education in biomechanics and mechanical engineering in the future.

III. Vegetable and Ornamental Horticulture/Agriculture
Major research in this field studies the production of high quality greenhouse crops, particularly flowers and vegetables, through various environmental controls. Other potential research areas are sustainable agriculture, including nutrient management strategies to reduce inputs and mitigate runoff from horticultural facilities, and the improvement of techniques for growing ornamental plants bred in Miyazaki. We are seeking a researcher with a good knowledge of floriculture, environmental physiology of plants and vegetable science. Experience of teaching in plant cultivation techniques is desirable.

2 Qualifications

1. Applicants should have research experience in one of the above-mentioned research areas or related fields. In addition, applicants should be able to work independently and be highly motivated in their pursuit of original and innovative research in their own area of interest. Furthermore, applicants are expected to contribute actively to the education of students. Applicants must have a Ph.D. awarded within the past 3 to 10 years, have a minimum of 3 years post-doctoral research experience in a related research field.
   
2. International applicants must be able to communicate in English. International TT assistant professors will be expected to develop the ability to communicate in Japanese while they work at our university because they will have to teach students when they are promoted to associate professor.

3 Research funds and environment, participation in education, and other support systems

To enable the TT assistant professors to develop their all round academic capabilities, research funds and facilities as well as support and opportunities to engage with graduate and undergraduate students will be provided..

• Research funds
  1. A start-up fund of 3 million yen per person for the first year. (If a successful applicant is already a staff member of the University of Miyazaki, the start-up fund will be 1 million yen).
  2. An annual research fund* of 3 million yen for the first fiscal year, 2 million yen for the second and third years, and 1 million yen for the fourth and fifth years. *
     * The annual research fund may be increased.
• Research environments
  1. Dedicated research space will be provided to each TT assistant professor.
  2. The TT assistant professors will have free access as users to all experimental equipment that has already been set up at the Frontier Science Research Center and the Center for Collaborative Research and Community Cooperation in the University..
  3. Mentoring will be provided by a coordinator and “troika supporters”, consisting of two faculty members of our University and one researcher from outside Japan.
     
• Participation in education
  1. From the second year, the TT assistant professors will be involved in the education of undergraduate and graduate students to gain teaching skills and experience.
  2.TT assistant professors will supervise graduate student(s) who wish to study with them.
  
• Other support systems
  1. Female TT assistant professors will be assisted by the Kiyohana Athena Support Room. Unpaid parental leave for up to one year is available. Interim and final evaluations may be postponed for up to one year if parental leave is taken.
  2.International TT assistant professors will be supported by the English-speaking staff of the Interdisciplinary Research Organization Office and the Global Support Office of the Center for International Relations. The University provides Japanese language classes for international researchers and their families.

4 Salary and other conditions

1. Salaries will be based on the salary system of the University of Miyazaki (average annual salary is about 6.3 million yen). Health insurance, long term care insurance, employee pensions, child benefits, employment insurance and occupational injury insurance will be paid by the University of Miyazaki and individual employees in accordance with relevant Japanese legislation.
2. Term of employment: 2 April 2012 – 31 March 2017
3. Evaluations: Research progress and achievements against the established goals will be evaluated in the third year of the term (interim evaluation in FY 2014), and again in the fifth year (final evaluation in FY 2016). TT assistant professors demonstrating, in their final evaluation, excellent scientific achievements that meet the criteria for the appointment of an associate professor of the University will be promoted to tenured associate professor in related departments or research centers of the University. If the interim evaluation assesses the research progress of the TT assistant professors as excellent, the University may offer tenured associate professor positions in the fourth year of the term.
   Note: Associate professor appointments in the Faculty of Medicine are for a fixed term but reappointment is possible.
4. Interim evaluation criteria: (a) self evaluation of achievements towards goals which will be established at the time of appointment, (b) leadership and research networking, (c) independence, including the status of funding from sources outside the University, (d) publication record, and (e) teaching skills for undergraduate and graduate students Final evaluation criteria: Progress/improvement since the interim evaluation of (a)-(e), and (f) future potential

5 Application documents

1. Application Form
   
2. List of publications and presentations
   Include original articles in peer-reviewed journals, reviews, books, presentations at academic and scientific meetings, etc. For original articles, please underline the applicant’s name and indicate the corresponding author(s) using *. Representative publications listed in (6) must be indicated using ○.
   For presentations at scientific meetings, list only major meetings including presentations at international meetings/symposia, and invited oral presentations at national meetings/symposia.
3. List of research fund(s) received, awards, patents, etc.
   For research funds, specify whether you were the principal investigator or a research team member.
4. Summary of research accomplishments
   Describe your role in the representative publications. If you are neither the first nor a corresponding author of the publications, clarify your contributions to the publications to them.
   (Maximum two pages, 10.5 font size, figures may be included.)
5. Five-year research plan and goal(s) 
   (Maximum two pages, 10.5 font size, figures may be included.)
6. Reprints of representative publications (5 articles or less)
7. Letters of recommendation from 2 referees

6 How to apply

Please send application documents (1)-(6) in PDF format by e-mail to the Interdisciplinary Research Organization Office (the e-mail address is provided in Section 8). When submitting documents, please put the following in the subject line: “Application for a TT assistant professor position in ….... Research area” (specify the relevant research area). If you do not receive e-mail confirmation of receipt of your submission within seven working days, please notify us.

Recommendation letters (7) should be sent directly to our office from referees by post (to the address specified in Section 7). Applicants must submit a list of the two referees with their addresses and contact information. Confirmation of receipt of recommendation letters will be made by e-mail within seven working days.

Personal information is protected under Japanese law and the rules of the University of Miyazak. Further inquiries may be made from our office, if necessary, during the selection process.

Application documents will not be returned.

7 Selection schedule

1. Closing date for submission of application documents (1)-(6) by e-mail:
   5:00 pm, December 9 (Friday) 2011 (Japan Standard Time)
   Closing date for submission of letters of recommendation (7) by mail:
   December 12 (Monday), 2011
2. First screening involving review of documentation: Beginnnig of January,2012
3. Second screening involving interviews and seminar presentations: Late January 2012
   (Note for applicants attending interview: Travel expenses incurred using the most economical means of transport will be reimbursed.)
4. Final selection: Beginnnig of February,2012
5. Starting date: 2 April 2012

8 Contact information for application submissions and inquiries

Interdisciplinary Research Organization Office
Research Management and International Affairs Department
University of Miyazaki

Contact persons: Ms. Sayaka Tajir or Ms. Makoto Kitsuki for inquires in Japanese and English
Address: 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan

TEL: +81-985-58-7859
FAX: +81-985-58-7860
E-mail:iroffice@of.miyazaki-u.ac.jp

*Communication by email is preferred.*Please note we are available only on business days (this excludes Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese national holidays and the period 12-16 August).