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National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Project Research Fellow (External Funds)

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has fellowship programs for young researchers for early career who contribute to project research or job as well as conduct their own research independently. The Researchers are funded by external funds such as frontieｒ promotion projects (Subaru, ALMA, and TMT) or .Grants‐in‐aid for Scientific Research.

In case funded by the frontier promotion project budget (Subaru, ALMA, and TMT)

In case funded by external funds including Grants‐in‐aid for Scientific Research

NAOJ welcome young researchers with motivation to gain project expertise and to conduct their own research for the future academic career.

Job Announcement

Number of positions
a few positions per year
Research Area
Theoretical/observational astronomy, development of astronomical instrument or related field.
Job Description
  • The research fellows funded by the frontier promotion project budget are expected to spend up to 50 % of their time to conduct jobs/researches requested by the project one belongs to and the research fellows are expected to spend the rest for their own research.
  • The research fellows funded by the external funds including Grants‐in‐aid for Scientific Research are expected to conduct researches along with the purpose of the fund and up to 30% of their time to spend for their own research.
  • An annual performance review will be conducted to see if the candidate performs well for both project job/research and own research.
Requirements
The applicant must have a PhD degree on astronomy or related fields.
The applicant is evaluated for a plan to match with the project job/research with competences to carry out the plan as well as scientific achievement in the selection process.
Location
NAOJ Campus dependent on host researcher. Mitaka in Tokyo, Mizusawa in Iwate, Nobeyama in Nagano, Okayama in Okayama, Kamioka in Gifu, Hilo in Hawai`i, and Santiago in Chile
Duration
The term of the research fellows funded by the frontier promotion project budget is for three years, including the probation period of six months. If approved, the possible two-year extension is granted only once. The term of the research fellows funded by the other external funds is defined at each job vacouncy announcement.
If the successful candidate had been a project research fellow at NAOJ or a Researcher (Part-time Contract Employee) before, the term may be adjusted so that the total length of employment does not exceed five years.
Selection Process
The selection schedule depends on each call. If it proceeds in the same timeline with the call of project research fellow (general), the following schedule is foreseen.
Application：Sep to October end.
Screening for short list：November
Interviews：November
Offer：End of November

Working Conditions

Positions
Employee on Annual Salary System
Title
Project Researcher
Host Project
The applicant applies to a specific project, center, or division of science
Benefit
  • Annual salary of 4,200 kJPY、compensation for commuting expenses (up to 55 kJPY per month). No bonus or pension money is given.
  • Annual research funds of 500 kJPY.
  • The qualification to apply for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research is given.
Work Form
The discretionary labor system for professional work (basically 8:30-17:15)
Holidays and Vacations
Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays, New Year Holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 3), Paid Days Off (annual leaves of 20 days, summer holidays, leaves for funeral service, etc.)
Insurance
MEXT Mutual Aid Association (Health Insurance), Employees' Pension Insurance, Employment Insurance, Workers' Compensation Insurance.
Travel and relocation cost
The travel and relocation costs to NAOJ will be covered, subject to the travel regulations of NINS (details must be arranged with the administration office).
Relocation in foreign countries
If you would like to have a host researcher in Hawai`i or Chile, Working Allowance of the Employee Remuneration Rules is provided. If you work at Hawai`i, you will be employed by the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai`i (RCUH).