Tenure-Track Faculty Positions at the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials

Application Details

Overview
Shape the Future of Global Research at Tohoku University!
Tohoku University—one of Japan’s top research institutions—is opening its doors to exceptional Early- to Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR) from around the world. We are recruiting Assistant and Associate Professors as part of our EMCR PI Development initiatives.

About the Opportunity
We're seeking passionate, visionary researchers in a variety of fields, including material science, nanotechnology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, life sciences and molecular biology, to join our vibrant academic community. to join our vibrant academic community. Successful candidates will lead groundbreaking research, mentor young scientists, and contribute to our internationalization and education missions.

Term
The initial appointment will be a fixed-term position for 7 years . In accordance with the IMRAM Tenure-Track Program, a comprehensive tenure review will be conducted during the fifth yearof the term. Applicants will be notified of the review outcome at least 2 years before the end of their contract.

Candidates who successfully pass the review will be promoted to a tenured Associate Professor position and continue their research as an independent Principal Investigator (PI) .

Required Qualifications
Ph.D. at the time of appointment

Compensation
This position offers a competitive annual salary, determined in accordance with Tohoku University’s official compensation guidelines . Salaries are structured under the university’s annual salary system , reflecting experience and performance.

Working Hours
Enjoy a flexible work schedule under the Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work. While the standard workday is 7.75 hours, you have the autonomy to manage your own time. Breaks are provided in line with Japanese labor regulations, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

Insurance

Health Insurance
Join the MEXT Mutual Aid Association for access to high-quality medical care and short-term benefits.

Pension Plan
Secure your future with long-term pension coverage through the MEXT Mutual Aid Association.

Workplace Protection
You're protected with full employment insurance and worker’s accident compensation, ensuring peace of mind on and off the job.

Start-up Support
Jumpstart Your Research with Dedicated Funding
To help you make the right start, successful applicants will receive from 1 million JPY to 5 million JPY annually in start-up funding —to power your research and lay the foundation for future breakthroughs.

Just like our faculty, you will have access to cutting-edge facilities and equipment, such as NanoTerasu (a state-of-the-art 3 GeV synchrotron radiation facility) and the Institute's shared equipment (more than 30 instruments, including cryo-electron microscopes, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, and TOF-SIMS), and Tohoku University’s shared equipment, allowing you to conduct world-class research.

Submission Materials

• Cover letter
• CV with photo (the prescribed Tohoku University template )
• List of Publications / Conference Presentations/Research Funds received
• Summary of past research (max of 3 pages)
• Future research plan (max of 3 pages)
• Name(s) of professor(s) at IMRAM with whom you would like to collaborate in conducting research, along with a brief description of your proposed collaborative research plans.
  A list of our research divisions and faculty can be found here: https://www2.tagen.tohoku.ac.jp/en/research/
• List of selected research articles
• [Optional] Teaching & mentoring plan
• [Optional] DEI and outreach plans

All submitted materials will be used solely for the purpose of candidate selection.

Selection Process
The selection process consists of two stages: an initial document screening followed by an interview.

How to Apply
Please combine items 1 to 7 (including 8 and 9 if applicable) into a single PDF file (Maximum size is 100MB)

Submit this file via the designated Google Form. (https://forms.gle/7mWbNtGdVStP49ps7 )

Use your name for the file name. (ex. Lastname_fistname.pdf)

If you're unable to access the form due to technical limitations, feel free to reach out to us at the contact email below. tagen-takuetsu@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

Application Deadline: October 12, 2025

Contact Us
Recruitment team, Research Support Division
Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University
Email: tagen-takuetsu@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

Additional Information

• Tohoku University offers dedicated support to help the spouses of appointed faculty members explore employment opportunities-both academic and non-academic-with the university. For details, please contact the recruiting department.
• Tohoku University's International Support Center (ISC) offers comprehensive assistance to researchers, enabling them to concentrate on their academic work without the usual concerns of relocating to a foreign country. The center provides extensive support services, handling everything from travel coordination and housing arrangements to administrative paperwork, banking setup, and various other necessities.
  ISC website
• Tohoku University actively fosters Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, welcoming applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds and demographics. For more information about their commitment to these principles, interested candidates can visit the university's DEI Declaration webpage, which outlines their official stance on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
  Tohoku University Declaration of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
• In accordance with 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 released `Tohoku University - Live as Who You Are - Guidelines for Gender and Sexual Diversity,` which offers guidance on respectful approaches to diverse sexualities within the university community. These guidelines aim to foster an inclusive environment where all members - students, faculty, and staff alike - honor sexual diversity throughout their academic, research, and professional endeavors. Additional information is available on the university's Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website.
  Tohoku University -Live as Who You Are- Guidelines for Gender and Sexual Diversity
• Tohoku University maintains the most extensive on-campus childcare infrastructure among all Japanese national universities. The system features three childcare facilities: Kawauchi Keyaki Nursery School (accommodating 22 children) and Aobayama Midori Nursery School (with space for 116 children), both serving all university staff, alongside Hoshinoko Nursery School (capacity of 120), specifically designated for Tohoku University Hospital employees. Additionally, the university hospital operates a specialized childcare facility for children who are mildly ill or recovering, which is accessible to all university personnel.
• For comprehensive details about Tohoku University's initiatives supporting work-life balance, researcher assistance programs, and gender equality efforts—including specific measures encouraging male employees to take childcare leave—please consult the university's dedicated website.
  Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion web page Human Resources and Planning Department website (in Japanese)