Overview
The Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University is advancing original and internationally recognized research in materials science, grounded in the university’s core principles: the tradition of “Research First”, “Open Doors” and “Practical Orientation.” Following Tohoku University’s certification as Japan’s first University for International Research Excellence, IMR is working to further expand and invigorate its research efforts. As part of this initiative, we are now inviting applications for tenure-track assistant and associate professor positions from highly motivated early-career researchers. We seek individuals who are eager to take on the challenge of exploring and developing new frontiers in materials science from diverse perspectives.
We welcome applicants conducting research across all fields of materials science covered by the Institute.
Open positions
Assistant Professor, subtotal 1-3 positions
Associate Professor, subtotal 1-3 positions
Total of 3 open positions
Affiliation
Exploratory Research Laboratory, Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University
Research field
Materials science fields covered by the Institute for Materials Research
(Reference: https://www.imr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/research/research-areas/ )
Qualifications
Ph.D. upon taking up the post
Start Date
February 1, 2026 or the earliest possible date thereafter (start date open to discussion)
Employment Type
Full-time, fixed-term (tenure-track)
Tenure will be granted upon successfully passing the Institute’s tenure review.
Term
Assistant Professor: 7 years
Associate Professor: 10 years
*A tenure review will be conducted at least 2 years before the end of the term, and successful candidates will be granted tenure. Assistant Professors may be promoted to Associate Professors by selection if they meet the criteria for promotion after passing the tenure review.
Compensation
Determined in accordance with university regulations
Research Funding
Successful candidates will be allocated funding to hire one research support staff member, as well as 2 million JPY as start-up funding and 4.5 million JPY/year as research funding.
Working Hours
In accordance with the Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work, a total of 7.75 hours is to be worked by the hired candidate a day, with the time worked left to their discretion (in general, business hours are from 8:30am to 5:15pm).
Days Off
Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the New Year holidays (December 29 – January 3)
Insurance
Successful candidates will be enrolled in the MEXT Mutual Aid Association (health insurance), Employment Insurance, and Worker’s Accident Compensation Insurance
Annual Paid Leave
Faculty and staff members are entitled to 20 days of annual paid leave each year. The number of days granted for the year is calculated based on January 1st. Unused paid leave from the previous year (up to a maximum of 20 days) can be carried over each year, with an additional 20 days added. For the first year, annual paid leave is calculated based on the start date (for example, if the start date is February 1st, 18 days will be granted for the remaining 11 months).
Application Deadline
Friday, August 29, 2025 17:00 JST
*Late applications not accepted
Submission Materials
Please submit documents 1 to 6 listed below as PDF files via email (total size 20 MB max).
- Curriculum Vitae (free format, photo attached)
- List of research achievements (original papers, proceedings, books/reviews, domestic and international conference presentations, patents, status of competitive research funding acquisition, etc.)
- Copies of 5 key papers if applying for Assistant Professor, or 10 key papers if applying for Associate Professor
- Summary of accomplishments (approximately two A4 size pages)
- Statement of future research plans and aspirations upon appointment (approximately two A4 size pages)
- Names and contact information of two references
Submission Method
Please submit your application via email, with the following applicable subject line:
Tenure-Track Faculty Application (Assistant Professor)
Tenure-Track Faculty Application (Associate Professor)
Submission email: imr-jin@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
Selection Process
Document screening followed by interviews based on necessity (interview-related travel expenses will be borne by the candidate).
*Your submitted CV will be used solely for the purpose of this application, and personal information will not be disclosed to any third party without a legitimate reason.
Notification of Results
Applicants will be notified of the results of the document screening by e-mail. Candidates successfully proceeding to the interview stage will be sent another email regarding the details of the interview.
Contact Information
Institute of Materials Research, Tohoku University
General Affairs Division Personnel Affairs Section
TEL: +81 22-215-2185
E-mail: imr-jin@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
Remarks
- Tohoku University has established a support system to assist the spouses of qualified faculty members in finding employment opportunities for academic and non-academic jobs within the university. For more information, please contact the recruiting department.
- Tohoku University promotes activities to increase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and encourages people of varied talents from all backgrounds to apply for positions at the university.
Tohoku University’s website about the DEI Declaration can be found here:
https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/about/ - Pursuant to 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 published ‘Tohoku University-Live as Who You Are-Guidelines for Gender and Sexual Diversity’ to provide explanations and details of how those at the university should respond with respect to diverse sexuality. The purpose of the guidelines is to create an environment in which all students, faculty, and staff respect diverse sexuality in their academic, research, and professional activities.
Please see the Tohoku University Center for Gender Equality Promotion website:
https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/consulting/for_minority/ - Tohoku University has the largest on-campus childcare system of all Japanese national universities. This network comprises three nurseries: Kawauchi Keyaki Nursery school (capacity: 22) and Aobayama Midori Nursery school (116), both open to all university employees, as well as Hoshinoko Nursery school (120), which is open to employees working at Tohoku University Hospital. In addition, Tohoku University Hospital runs a childcare room for mildly ill and convalescent children which is available to all university employees
- See the following website for information on these and other programs that Tohoku University runs to assist work-life balance, to support researchers, and to advance gender equality, including measures to promote childcare leave among male employees.
Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tohoku University Website:
https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/consulting/for_family/
Human Resources and Planning Department website (Japanese text only):
https://c.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/jinji-top/external/a-4-kosodate/
More Information
- Address Japan
