Project-based Assistant Professor position Kyoto University, Japan
Climate Change Education and Disaster Preparedness & Resilience
Application Deadline: July 30th, 2025
Vacancies: Project-based Assistant Professor: 1 position (applications will closed as soon as a suitable candidate is found)
Location: Environmental Education Lab, Graduate School of Global Studies, Kyoto University
Term: 1 year with chance of renewal each year, based on performance, for a maximum of 5 years.
* The decision to renew the contract will be based on factors such as work performance, attitude, ability and progress of the tasks being undertaken.
Start date: October 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. (Trial period: 12 months)
Job Description:
The Environmental Education Laboratory at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, advertises a non-tenured project-based assistant professor position to conduct research in the field of climate change education and disaster resilience & preparedness, on topics such as:
- Gender & LGBTQ+ perspectives in disaster preparedness studies
- Local traditional and indigenous knowledge (LTIK)
- Place-based or community-based Climate Change Education
- Climate Change Education and Youth Climate Activism
- Serious games in Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Education
This research-focused position aims to support researchers (all nationalities) currently or recently based at a US university whose employment conditions have been negatively impacted by recent political circumstances. The candidate’s current or recent position must be ‘post-doctoral researcher’ or ‘assistant professor’.
The candidate will pursue a research project of their choosing in collaboration with the host (Jun Assoc Prof Roger C. Baars) and is expected to publish at least two co-authored publications per year in leading international journals.
Applicants are expected to have the following skills and experience:
- Empirical and methodical knowledge relevant to the aforementioned topics as demonstrated by peer-reviewed journal articles in international journals
- Knowledge and experience with relevant theoretical frameworks from social sciences
- Demonstrated experience with mixed methods using both qualitative and quantitative data
- Excellent command of English (spoken and written)
In addition, applicants are expected to contribute to the laboratory activities as follows:
- Attend lab seminars (two per month)
- Assist with PhD and MSc supervision
- Assist with teaching at undergraduate and graduate level
Qualifications: At the time of application, candidates should hold a doctoral degree and be employed (or recently forced to resign) at a US university at either a post-doctoral or assistant professor level.
Salary: 500,000 yen gross per month, totalling 6 million yen per year (non-negotiable).
Research funds: 100,000 yen per year (non-taxable).
Candidates are encouraged to apply for additional competitive funding (JSPS) during their employment.
Allowances: None (no relocation support provided).
Social Insurance: Kyoto University will assist with visa application. Health, dental and social security insurance will be provided via enrollment in Mutual Aid Association, Employees’ Pension, Employment Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance in by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Work Schedule: Discretionary labor system for professional work (equivalent to 38 hours and 45 minutes per week, equivalent to 7 hours and 45 minutes per day). If the Discretionary labor system for professional work is not applied, work will be 5 days per week from 8:30 to 17:15 (break 12:00 to 13:00). Overtime may be ordered. Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, and the anniversary of the establishment (June 18).
Application documents:
- Cover letter (1-2 pages)
- CV (up to 5 pages)
- An outline of your research interests and proposed research plan (around 3-5 pages)
- Summary of how your career/employment was impacted by US political circumstances (1-2 pages) and supporting evidence if relevant.
- Copies of your peer-reviewed publications
- Letter(s) of recommendation (minimum 1, maximum 2)
After the initial screening of documents, we will conduct interviews (online) for further selection.
Inquiries and submission of your application:
Jun. Assoc. Prof. Roger BAARS, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University
E-mail: baars.rogercloud.6a@kyoto-u.ac.jp
Notes:
- Submitted documents will be used only for the recruitment screening process. They will not be disclosed, transferred, or lent to third parties without a valid reason.
- Kyoto University promotes gender equality. We actively welcome applications from female researchers.
- Kyoto University takes measures to prevent passive smoking, such as prohibiting smoking indoors on all campuses and outdoors, except in designated smoking areas.