Call for Applications: The Nagasaki University Strategy for Fostering Young Scientists (Assistant Professor)

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).   

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.
Download application forms  (MS-Word 68KB)
http://users.tls-style.jp/nagasaki-u/wakate/wakate/recruitment/word/recruitment_f_e.doc

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.