Niigata University will internationally recruit a person in the following research field, where growth is expected in the future.

Transcription

1 Information regarding Application for a Tenure-track Faculty Position in Solar Thermal Energy Utilization in Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University. Overview The center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University, has a tenure-track system that was introduced in 2012 to recruit talented, highly qualified young researchers who are distinguished within the international research community, create new scientific fields, and demonstrate the potential to lead future generations. The tenure-track system has been supported by the grant for Disseminate Tenure Tracking System from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan since A tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Assistant Professor in Solar Thermal Energy Utilization is available. The competitive applicants should demonstrate the potential to become leaders of future generations, a strong publication record, and the ability to obtain extramural funding. Furthermore, they will be expected to design a vigorous research program. This position for a faculty in Center for Transdisciplinary Research is offered up to March 31, 2020, with the consideration for tenure. Exceptionally outstanding researchers can be appointed as a Professor or Associate Professor in Center for Transdisciplinary Research with tenure after April 1, Application Guidelines 1. Research fields and number of positions Niigata University will internationally recruit a person in the following research field, where growth is expected in the future. Research field Solar Thermal Energy Utilization (Mechanical/Chemical Engineering) Position/Number of people Associate Professor or Assistant Professor 1 2. Affiliation Tenure-track appointees will be officially affiliated with the Niigata University Center for Transdisciplinary Research but will engage in research activities in the department relevant to his/her research field (Institute of Science and Technology). 3. Required qualifications (1) Applicants must have a doctoral degree obtained within the past ten years, research experience in any of the above research fields, and a strong desire to conduct creative, innovative research.

2 (2) Applicants must be less than 40 years of age as of the closing date for applications. (This is a provision established to satisfy application requirements prescribed in the application guidelines for FY2015 Program to Disseminate Tenure Tracking System.) (3) Applicants must be able to take charge of graduate school lectures relevant to their research fields and to teach students in Japanese or English in a comprehensible manner. Please note that individuals whose native language is not Japanese may apply using English alone. *Niigata University has a Gender Equality Office ( and actively works toward improving the educational, research, and work environment from the perspective of promoting diversity. In the recruitment of teaching staff, Niigata University welcomes applications from female and overseas researchers and willingly accepts applicants with an equivalent level of research achievement. 4. Research environment The following research funds and lab workspace will be tentatively provided for each researcher. An amount of five million yen for the first year as startup funds, seven million yen for the second year, and two million yen per year from the third year onward as ordinary research funds. A lab workspace of approximately 40 to 70 square meter will also be provided. 5. Duties Tenure-track researchers shall: (1) Engage in research and educational activities in the research field for which they are recruited, (2) Energetically undertake research in their respective fields and publish outstanding research results in Japan and other countries, and (3) Actively engage in efforts to acquire external funds including scientific research grants. Research Fields: Solar Thermal Energy Utilization (Mechanical/Chemical Engineering) Based on the knowledge of mechanical engineering (thermal engineering) or chemical engineering (reaction engineering/process system), research can be conducted to develop solar receivers, solar reactors, and/or thermal storage systems utilizing concentrated solar radiation (thermal energy); to conduct designing and numerical simulation of them (solar receivers, solar reactors, and/or thermal storage systems); to conduct designing and experimental performance tests of them using solar concentrating system and a high-power sun-simulator; and to teach in this field. Tenure-track researchers are guaranteed research hours of an 80% effort rate over the tenuretrack period and as a rule will be exempt from duties related to university management and administration. However, Niigata University encourages participation in educational activities such as providing guidance to graduate students in related research areas.

3 6. Salary and terms of employment (1) Salary: Annual salary system (In accordance with the Salary Regulations for National University Corporation Niigata University Academic Staff Subject to Annual Salary System) (2) Period: January 1, 2016 (tentative) -- March 31, 2020 (3) Other: During the period of employment (5 years), tenure-track researchers will undergo an interim review (in the third year) and a final review (in the fifth year). If the performance is judged to be of sufficiently high standards, they will be hired to full-time, tenured positions. If, as a result of the final review, a researcher is not hired to a tenured position, the researcher will not be reappointed to his/her existing position. In such case, at the request of the researcher, the tenure-track period will be extended to a maximum of one year as preparation period for relocation. The tenure-track period of a tenure-track appointee who has a major life event (childbirth, child rearing, etc.) during the tenure-track period will be extended to a maximum of one year. 7. Working terms and conditions (1) The place of employment will be the Institute of Science and Technology (Ikarashi Campus). (2) Niigata University s various rules and regulations will apply to the researchers employment. (3) In accordance with the Niigata University Rules for Employee Inventions, the intellectual property rights to any employee inventions will belong to the university. 8. Promotion to a tenured position If a tenure-track researcher who is hired to the Associate Professor positions is deemed to be qualified in the final evaluation in the fifth year of the appointment, he/she will be promoted to tenured Associate Professor of Niigata University Center for Transdisciplinary Research as of April 1, A researcher who demonstrates exceptional achievement will be promoted to tenured Professor. If a tenure-track researcher who is hired to the Assistant Professor positions is deemed to be qualified in the final evaluation in the fifth year of the appointment, that researcher will be promoted to tenured Associate Professor of Niigata University Center for Transdisciplinary Research as of April 1, As criteria for evaluation, Niigata University places emphasis on achievements in research activities, research grant record, international activities and also considers achievements in educational activities, management skills and contribution to Niigata University (relevant department) in its comprehensive evaluation of a tenure-track researcher. 9. Documents to be submitted (1 set for each researcher) (1) Curriculum vitae (Form 1*) (2) Research achievements (In a format of your choice)

4 (a) List publications according to genre such as books, theses, academic papers (only peerreviewed), review papers, reports (including non-peer-reviewed), and academic papers presented at international conferences (specifying if they were invited papers), and presentations at academic conferences in the last 5 years (specifying whether they were oral or poster presentations). Please place an asterisk (*) after journals that have particular impact. (b) Attach excerpts (copies are acceptable) of your main academic papers (up to 5). (3) Summarize all grants-in-aid for scientific research, other competitive funding or commissioned research funds you have received within the past 5 years including details such as items, types, and titles of bestowals, names of research representatives, amounts (if shared, the amount of your share), and research period. Moreover, list any patents and utility models (including those pending). (In a format of your choice) (4) Give an overview of the research you have engaged in to date (about 1000 words) and tasks in education and research you would take up if appointed (about 1000 words). (5) Research project plan (Form 2*): present your 5-year research plan if you were to be appointed to a position at the university in up to 5 pages including diagrams, on A4-size paper using 10.5 point font. Moreover, indicate when you would be available to take up a position. (6) Research budget allocation plan: prepare a plan by classifying expenditures into equipment, expendables, travel expenses, and others, clearly indicating the breakdown of the main expenditures based on the estimated allocated amount listed in 4. Research Environment, and summarize the plan in a table for use on an annual basis (on A4-size paper, in a format of your choice). (7) Contact details of two possible referees (name, affiliation, telephone number, and address) *Please download Application Forms 1&2 from the following website: Niigata University Tenure-track Program Convert all the above application documents listed in (1) to (7) into PDF files, attach them to an , and forward the to the address indicated in 11. Where to submit documents and make inquiries. As the subject, be sure to write Application for Tenure-track Position (Research field: position) to indicate the research field and the position you are applying for. (Please make an inquiry if you do not receive notification of receipt of your application within seven days after submission.) Note that sending the documents by post is not necessary. Confidentiality of applications will be strictly maintained. Furthermore, the personal information received in applications will be appropriately handled in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act and the university s regulations. However, please understand that additional inquiries may be necessary for purposes of the selection process. 10. Closing date and selection procedures (1) Deadline for applying: November 15, 2015 (Japan Standard Time) (2) Method of selection: an initial screening will be conducted by means of a document review, and a second screening will be conducted by interview (including presentation) of a

5 candidate who passes the first screening. The university plans to conduct the second screening in mid-december at the University. (3) Selection results: applicants will be notified as soon as a decision is made. (4) Assumption of post: February 1 to 16, 2016 The applicant must be able to assume the post during the 2015 academic year. Moreover, from the standpoint of planning our research budget, it is desirable that the post be assumed at as early a date as possible. 11. Where to submit documents and make inquiries (1) Submission of documents: tenure-t@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp (2) Inquiries (As a general rule, we ask that inquiries be made by ) Inquiries regarding the research field: Solar Thermal Energy Utilization (Mechanical/Chemical Engineering) tkodama@eng.niigata-u.ac.jp Other inquiries concerning recruitment: Research Promotion Division, Niigata University 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata City JAPAN TEL: FAX: tenure-t@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp 12. Miscellaneous Please refer to the relevant website for information concerning Niigata University. Niigata University Niigata University Tenure Track Program