The National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB) in Okazaki, Japan, and the Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) are currently inviting applications for a select number of full professorships. NIBB, having been established in 1977, has consistently occupied the vanguard of world-leading research in basic biology, setting a distinguished standard within Japan. ExCELLS, founded in 2018, aspires to redefine the concept of life beyond existing knowledge. Both institutions are situated at the Okazaki campus and have a rich history of pioneering bioscience research. We are seeking applications from outstanding candidates, both domestically and internationally, to lead the field of basic biology into the next generation with global prominence. Should you be a visionary scientist exemplifying excellence in your field, we encourage you to apply and become an integral part of our dynamic and innovative research community. More information and further details can be accessed through the respective websites of NIBB (https://www.nibb.ac.jp/en/) and ExCELLS (https://www.excells.orion.ac.jp/en). This call is not limited to any specific field in basic biology.
 
1. Positions
A few professorships in NIBB and ExCELLS combined.
 
Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to organize a research group with three newly appointed faculty members (one associate professor, one assistant professor, and one specially-appointed assistant professor, or two assistant professors and one specially-appointed assistant professor) as well as one technical staff member. In such cases, personnel appointments will be carried out in accordance with the 'Basic Policy on the Promotion of Diversity in NIBB' (see below for details).
 
2. Job description
Professor at NIBB
(1) To establish a research project that can internationally lead an area in the field of basic biology.
(2) To share the role of NIBB as an Inter-University Research Corporation.
(3) To be in charge of teaching in the Basic Biology Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, and to be involved in graduate education.
 
Professor at ExCELLS
(1) To promote cross-disciplinary research that aspires to innovate the concept of life
(2) To be jointly appointed as an NIBB professor and, as such, to promote new research fields in basic biology.
(3) To share the role of ExCELLS as an Inter-University Research Corporation.
(4) To be in charge of teaching in the Basic Biology Program, Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, and to be involved in graduate education.
 
3. Terms of employment
Employment is offered on a full-time basis with mandatory retirement at age 65, and all other conditions will conform to the regulations and stipulations of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS).
 
4. Compensation
Salary is determined based on the payment standards of NINS taking into account factors such as career history, proficiency, and other relevant considerations.
 
5. The achievements of each professor will be evaluated every ten years.
 
6. Applicants must be fluent in either Japanese or English.
 
7. Deadline for applications
Saturday, 30 September 2023 (JST) (must arrive by this date)
 
8. Starting date of the appointment
1 April 2024 or at the earliest possible date thereafter
 
9. Required documents
Please prepare documents (1) through (7) in PDF format as detailed below. Combine documents (1) through (6) into one single PDF file. Send this file via email, with the subject line 'Professor 2023 (Applicant's Name) '. If the document exceeds 30 Mb, separate it into multiple files less than 30 Mb each.
(1) Curriculum vitae.
(2) Brief summary of current and past research (within 800 words).
(3) Brief summary of the research plan if appointed at this institute (within 800 words). Please state how you intend to answer a fundamental biological question in your research and how this will contribute to the advancement of basic biology. If you are applying for either NIBB or ExCELLS alone, please clarify the institute you will apply for at the beginning of the summary, or you will be reviewed as a candidate for both institutions.
(4) List of publications (original articles, reviews, books, and others should be listed separately), lectures, academic activities, grant acquisitions, etc. All listed papers should be published or accepted for publication.
(5) Please also list three to five scientists (name, affiliation, address, e-mail address, and phone number) who can scientifically evaluate your work.
(6) Reprints of up to five major papers.
(7) Please procure a letter of recommendation, which should include the recommender’s affiliation, address, email address, and phone number. This letter should be sent by the recommender as a separate PDF file to 'nibbprof@orion.ac.jp'. For clarity, the email's subject line should be structured as 'Letter of Recommendation for Professorship (Applicant's Name)', and the applicant’s name should be mentioned in the body of the email.
 
*Please contact the Personnel Section (nibbprof@orion.ac.jp) if you do not receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of the files within four days.
 
10. Submission method and Inquiries
(1) Application and recommendation letter should be separately sent to
E-mail: nibbprof@orion.ac.jp
The Personnel Section
Okazaki Administration Office
National Institutes of Natural Sciences
38 Myodaijicho
Okazaki 444-8585
Japan
phone: 81-564-55-7113
 
(2) Inquires may be directed to
Miyo Terao Morita (She/Her/Hers)
E-mail: mimorita@nibb.ac.jp
Professor
National Institute for Basic Biology
38 Myodaijicho
Okazaki 444-8585
Japan
phone: 81-564-55-7556
 
Jun Minagawa (He/Him/His)
E-mail: minagawa@nibb.ac.jp
Professor
National Institute for Basic Biology
38 Myodaijicho
Okazaki 444-8585
Japan
phone: 81-564-55-7515
 
11. Others
(1) ExCELLS is closely linked to and collaborates with the three inter-university research corporations (NIBB, the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, and the Institute for Molecular Science) located in Okazaki. The selection process for this appointment will be conducted by NIBB.
 
(2) NINS is an equal opportunity employer, and NIBB actively promotes a research environment rich in diversity that attracts excellent researchers irrespective of gender, nationality, age or cultural background. To this end, NIBB strongly encourages applicants of various genders or nationalities and seeks to form research groups that encompass diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Maternity, childcare, or nursing care leave is taken into consideration if applicants clearly indicate the period of leave on their CV or other documents. Please also refer to the web page: https://www.nibb.ac.jp/en/about/equality.html
 
(3) Handling of personal information
Personal information provided within the application process will be meticulously managed in compliance with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and the corresponding regulations established by NINS. This information will only be utilized for candidate selection and employment purposes.

Click here for the PDF file