Advertisement for Project Assistant Professor and Project Researcher Position (RESCEU, University of Tokyo)

1. Job title

Project Assistant Professor and/or Project Researcher (one or two)

2. Contract period

From starting date until March 31, 2026

3. Extension

The contract may be renewed on a yearly basis (by March 31). Renewal will be decided after taking into consideration the availability of funding, progress in the assigned duties, job performance, work attitude, health condition, and other relevant factors. However, the maximum term of employment shall be until March 31, 2031.

4. Probationary period

14 days from the date of employment

5. Place of work

Michimura Group, Research Center for the Early Universe, University of Tokyo

(7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan)

Project Assistant Professor: (Scope of changes) Work locations as designated by the University. In principle, the members will not be reassigned or transferred against their will. For details, please refer to Article 4 of the University of Tokyo regulations on the employment of faculty members.

Project Researcher: (Scope of changes) In principle, within the same bureau.

6. Job description

The successful candidate(s) will work on experimental or theoretical research related to our project "Exploring the origin of the Universe with tabletop laser interferometers and gravitational-wave observatories," (PI: Tomohiro Fujita) for the JSPS Grant in Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) "What is the physical mechanism of the origin of the Universe? - challenges over transcending scales through the integration of theory, observations, and experiments," lead by Hitoshi Murayama (JFY 2026 - JFY 2030). The examples of the research include, but are not limited to:

1) Enhancing the sensitivity of the KAGRA detector

2) Development of laser interferometers and optomechanical systems for probing the origin of the Universe

3) Data analysis using time series data from laser interferometers

4) Theoretical research on the origin of the Universe through laser interferometric searches for dark matter etc.

Researchers under the age of 40 or within eight years of receiving their Ph.D. are expected and encouraged to devote up to 20% of their research effort to independent research activities. They are also encouraged to apply for KAKENHI grants.

Project Assistant Professor: (Scope of changes) In principle, the University could change or reassign work duties, but not against one’s will (In accordance with Article 4 of the Regulations on the Employment of University of Tokyo Faculty Members).

Project Researcher: (Scope of changes) In principle, the University could change or reassign work duties.

7. Working hours

Discretionary work system for professional work applies and working hours will be deemed as 7 hours and 45 minutes per day.

8. Days off and leave

Saturdays and Sundays; Japanese national holidays; New Year holidays (December 29 to January 3); annual paid leave, special leave, etc.

9. Salary

Approximately JPY 300,000 to 500,000 per month including achievement allowance, based on experience, achievements etc. Commuting allowance also is paid based on the University of Tokyo regulations (up to JPY 55,000 per month).

10. Insurance

You will be enrolled in the insurance programs of the Mutual Aid Association of MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and in Employment Insurance, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

11. Qualifications

Ph. D. or equivalent.

We strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates across related research fields, irrespective of gender, nationality, or research background.

12. Required documents

1) Curriculum vitae (including e-mail address)

2) List of publications (indicate up to 3 representative publications)

3) Summary of your past research (up to 2 pages)

4) Research statement (up to 2 pages)

5) Earliest possible starting date

6) Two reference letters

13. Submission method

All application materials should be compiled into a single PDF file and sent to apply26-gakuhen@resceu.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp. The subject line of the e-mail should read: "Application for the Gakuhen ***". Please indicate your preferred position (Project Assistant Professor or Project Researcher) in ***. The PDF file must not exceed 5 MB in size.

If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within five days, please contact the inquiry e-mail below.

Letters of recommendation should be sent directly by the referees to the above e-mail address.

14. Deadline

April 27, 2026

After an initial screening of the submitted documents, selected candidates will be invited for an interview, which may be conducted either in person or online. Applications will be accepted until the search is closed.

15. Inquiries

RESCEU Administration Office

E-mail: toiawase@resceu.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Phone: 03-5841-4169

16. Name of recruiter

The University of Tokyo

17. State of working measures to avoid passive smoking

Smoking is prohibited inside the grounds of our university.

We have smoking areas outdoors.

18. Others

• The School of Science actively promotes gender equality. For details, please refer to the School of Science Basic Plan for Gender Equality at the URL below.
  https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/overview/gender/
• During the period of employment, sharing controlled technology to you may be prohibited by FEFTA and it may become difficult to achieve your job as a faculty or a staff member of the University if you are under the control of a foreign government, corporation or university by contract, or under the control of a foreign government by economic interests. In such a case, you need to keep the contract or interests within the range that does not incur such restrictions.
• Personal information received through this application process will not be used for any other purposes.