17：00Open Faculty Recruitment of the Graduate School of Law at Tohoku University
Tenure-track Associate Professor Positions
(Japanese politics, international relations, or international law)
| Position: | Associate Professor |
| Number of positions: | 2 |
| Employment type: | Tenure-track |
| Location: | Tohoku University Graduate School of Law 27-1 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan |
| Qualifications: | ● Ph.D. upon taking up the post
● Have outstanding achievements in one of the relevant fields of expertise: Japanese politics, international relations, or international law ● Japanese language proficiency at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position without difficulty |
| Submission: | Application form |
| Deadline: | July 31, 2025 17:00 JST |
| Start date: | April 1, 2026 or the earliest possible date thereafter |
Overview
The Graduate School of Law at Tohoku University invites applications for two tenure-track associate professor positions. The Graduate School of Law aims to reinforce foundational research in law and political science that underpins Japanese society and the state, while also advancing applied research and promoting internationalization.
In the field of Japanese politics, we are seeking a candidate with demonstrated expertise in topics such as Japan’s political institutions, political processes, or political history. The ideal candidate will approach Japanese politics with an internationally-oriented perspective and have a strong desire to contribute to global academic discourse.
In the fields of international relations and international law, we seek researchers who are committed to exploring, both theoretically and empirically, the nature of law and politics in today’s increasingly complex and diverse international society. We are particularly interested in individuals who are passionate about pursuing cutting-edge research on critical or emerging international issues and who are eager to share their findings with the broader international community.
This appointment is part of Tohoku University’s comprehensive, university-wide initiative to strengthen research capabilities as Japan’s first University of International Research Excellence. To support this effort, the selected candidate will receive 500,000 JPY annually in research funds, and an additional 2,500,000 JPY annually for research infrastructure (e.g., journal subscriptions). Furthermore, 3,000,000 JPY in start-up funding will be provided to support overseas research.
Work content and job description
The successful candidate will engage in both research and teaching in one of the following fields: Japanese politics, international relations, or international law. The candidate will be expected to actively pursue research in their field and disseminate their findings internationally through scholarly books or journal articles that demonstrate significant academic impact. In terms of teaching, the successful applicant will supervise master’s and doctoral theses and teach courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
During the tenure-track period, teaching responsibilities will be limited to undergraduate or graduate courses related to the candidate’s research (equivalent to 4 credits per year), and administrative duties within the Graduate School of Law will be reduced. Depending on demonstrated research achievements after appointment, the candidate may be granted the opportunity to conduct research abroad. In such cases, teaching duties will be waived for the duration of the overseas research.
Number of hired 2 person(s)
Compensation
The annual salary for this position will be determined in accordance with university regulations and will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and performance.
Benefits
Allowances: commuting and family-unaccompanied transfer allowances
Insurance: Successful candidates will be enrolled in the MEXT Mutual Aid Association (health insurance), Employment Insurance, and Workers’ 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 April 1st, 15 days will be granted for the remaining 9 months)
Working hours
Working hours : 08:30-17:15 (Break time : 12:00-13:00)
Discretionary Work System (Daily deemed working hours are 7 hours 45 minutes.)
Days Off : Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year period.
Location
980-8576
27-1 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
The Graduate School of Law, Tohoku University.
Employment Type
Regular employee
Hiring and Starting date
The start date for this position is April 1, 2026, or the earliest possible date thereafter.
Contract period
5-year tenure.
A performance review will be conducted in the fourth year following appointment. Based on the results of this evaluation, a decision will be made regarding the granting of tenure.
Qualifications
- D. upon taking up the post
- Have outstanding achievements in one of the relevant fields of expertise: Japanese politics, international relations, or international law
- Japanese language proficiency at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position without difficulty
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. by the time of appointment and possess Japanese language proficiency at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position without difficulty, or close to that level.
Application Procedure
Submit the required documents listed below as separate PDF files via the application form by the deadline of July 31, 2025 17:00 JST. Documents may be submitted in either Japanese or English, except for item 8 (research plan related to the goals of the Graduate School of Law), which must be written in Japanese.
Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (prescribed format)
- Submit your Researcher ID information on the application form. If you do not have any of the applicable Researcher IDs (Scopus, ORCiD, or Researchmap), additionally submit a complete list of your academic publications.
- Up to three major research achievements
- Record of research grants received
- List of presentations at international conferences
- Summary of past research activities (approx. 2 pages)
- Research plan related to the goals of the Graduate School of Law (approx. 2 pages, in Japanese)
- Two letters of recommendation
Application Registration link: https://jotform.com/251320613230439
Selection Process:
The selection committee will evaluate candidates’ research achievements with particular emphasis on publications in international academic journals. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to give a presentation. This may include an in-person visit for direct interaction with the committee.
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/
Contact details
The Graduate School of Law, Tohoku University.
kobo_law(at) grp.tohoku.ac.jp
*Change (at) to @ in the email address.
