Call for Applications: The Nagasaki University Strategy for Fostering Young Scientists (Assistant Professor)
Nagasaki University in Japan is now actively recruiting academic researchers as assistant professors for the "Strategy for Fostering Young Scientists". This program aims to provide a suitable research environment for young scientists, allowing successful applicants to promote their original research using resources from the "Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology" (originating from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)).
The main purpose of this program is as follows:
(1) to grant outstanding young scientists the opportunity to concentrate on their work by providing an environment conducive to independent research at Nagasaki University, with an eye toward promotion to the level of assistant professors,
(2) to foster young scientists by allowing them to carry out original, innovative, and pioneering research as well as to establish a leading-world research base, and
(3) to make the Young Researcher Fostering System a model for creating other world-class research bases.
An assistant professor recruited by this program shall be expected to participate in either of the following two research projects designed by the University. During a project, the assistant professor will be able to work toward his/her independent research supported by research space, facilities, funding, and a respectable salary. At the end of the determined research period, the University will evaluate the achievements of the assistant professor. If the performance is deemed excellent, he/she will be promoted to associate professor. The University will introduce a fixed-term system for this program (renewable) in the Graduate School of Science and Technology, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Tropical Medicine, and the Institute for East China Sea Research among other relevant departments. If promoted to associate professor, the term of office varies with the particular system of each department.
Nagasaki University invites applications for the following two research projects.
Please read the details of each project carefully as well as the recruitment information on the official website.
1. Research Project:
Familial Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome (FSCDS) predisposes young or middle-aged affected individuals to sudden death. Defining its pathophysiology and establishing effective strategies for the prophylaxis of sudden death are urgent issues in public health. Although mutations in cardiac ion channel genes have been identified in some lethal arrhythmias, such as congenital long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome, the molecular basis of other forms of FSCDS remains to be elucidated.
This project is aimed at elucidating the molecular basis of sudden death in FSCDS and ultimately reduce the risk of sudden death. The project goals will be achieved by close collaboration among clinical and research institutes around the world. These institutes will provide clinical specimens and cutting-edge technologies such as iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells).
Refer to this page for details of the research project, “ International Studies For Overcoming Familial Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome”
2. Description of the specificity of the chairs:
There is one chair position in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Nagasaki University will publicly seek a motivated young researcher who is capable of promoting projects under his/her charge in the following research fields:
(1) Genetic screening and electrophysiological analysis of FSCDS (domestic and international collaboration)
(2) Electrophysiological analysis of human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes that originate from patients with FSCDS (national collaboration)
(3) Computer simulation to delineate the basis mechanisms of FSCDS (collaboration between engineering and medical sciences)
(4) Establishment of genetically-engineered animals relevant to FSCDS and functional analysis in vivo
3. Qualifications:
(1) Applicants must have a Ph.D.
(2) Applicants must have significant research achievements in the field to which he/she will be assigned.
(3) Applicants must have been trained in patch clamp and basic electrophysiology.
(4) Applicants must have high-level ability to perform collaborative studies with overseas research/clinical institutions and to carry out creative research on his/her own.
(5) Applicants must not work for any other institutes or companies during the project.
(6) Applicants under 40 years of age at the time of employment are preferred.
4. Research Period:
From as early as December 1, 2009 to March 31, 2014
(In the case of an applicant who lives abroad, he/she may not be able to start on December 1 due to lengthy reviews and various other procedures.)
A successful applicant will be employed as a full-time assistant professor during the above period.
If the performance is deemed excellent at the end of the determined research period, he/she will be promoted to associate professor.
5. Salary and Research Fund:
Salary: Approximately JPY 7,000,000 per year
(Standard Nagasaki University employment rules and regulations will be applied.)
Research fund: Approximately JPY 6,000,000 per year for the first two years
6. Research Facilities and Equipments:
Facilities and equipments will be preferentially prepared within the research project.
7. Required Documentation:
The following documents must be submitted with one original and one copy.
Each should be provided either in English or in Japanese.
(1) Resume/CV with a passport-size photo attached
(2) Complete list of all published papers
(3) Copies of your five major papers
(4) Abstract of your research up to the present date (one to two A4 pages)
(5) Research project title and what you expect to accomplish--hopes, goals, resolution, etc. (one to
two A4 pages)
(6) Names and contact information of two people who can be approached in reference to your work.
*(1) can be downloaded in MS-Word format below, but other documents require no special format.
http://users.tls-style.jp/nagasaki-u/wakate/wakate/recruitment/word/recruitment_f_e.doc (MS-Word 68KB)
8. Deadline for the Application:
Application forms must reach Nagasaki University by Friday, 17:00, October 16, 2009.
Applications missing the deadline will not be accepted.
9. Miscellaneous:
(1) Submitted materials will NOT be returned to the applicant as a rule.
(2) After passing the documents examination, applicants are expected to come to Nagasaki University to attend a seminar in which the applicants will give a lecture, and undertake an oral examination on their current research. The University will cover airfare and transportation fees. In the case of overseas applicants, the visiting schedule may be arranged with the University.
10. Contact information:
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Nagasaki University
Prof. Naomasa Makita
TEL：+81-95-819-7031
FAX：+81-95-819-7911
E-mail：makitan@nagasaki-u.ac.jp
11. Address for Submitting the Application:
Research Planning Division
Research Promotion and International Affairs Department
Nagasaki University
1-14 Bunkyo-machi
Nagasaki 852-8521
Japan
* Please make sure to use registered mail such as EMS, DHL, FedEx, etc. and specify "Tenure Track Assistant Professor Application (project title)" on the envelope in red ink.