Applications are invited to approximately ten untenured positions at Kyoto University (COE Assistant Professors, and Researchers (COE)). This Global COE (Center of Excellence) program, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, for a period of about five years, began in July 2007 to conduct a wide range of interdisciplinary studies on sustainable development in Asia and Africa from a global, long-term perspective. It is designed to create a new paradigm by activating multiple dialogues between specialists of Asian and African area studies with background in natural sciences, politics, economics, anthropology and history, and scientists working on various frontier technologies. Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Center for Integrated Area Studies, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere and related schools and research institutions at the University are working together to train specialists capable of tackling the questions which demand dynamic mobilization and interaction of unusually disparate knowledge across disciplines, such as the impact of global warming upon the local societies of Asia and Africa.
The program has four specific research sub-projects (clusters), reflecting the strengths of the faculty involved. They are (1) “Long-term Dynamics of Environment, Technology and Institutions”, which traces multiple paths taken by the regions’ economic and social development over a few centuries to determine the direction of technological and institutional changes for the next hundred years, (2) “The Structure of Humanosphere”, which conducts case studies of local society and its environmental sustainability by combining the orthodox approach of resource management with the analysis of material and energy flows and conversions, (3) “The Forestry Model of Sustainable Humanosphere: the Case of a Sumatran Community”, which examines the process of introduction of frontier science and technology into a particular regional community, largely living on forestry and its spin-off industries, to suggest an appropriate policy for sustainable humanosphere, (4) “Studies in the Potentialities of Local Culture, Institution and Technology”, which explores various knowledge and practices embedded in local societies, to seek local developments of sustainable humanosphere. These clusters are in turn linked to an overarching “paradigm cluster” where cross-fertilization of varied approaches is sought to formulate an alternative paradigm to existing intellectual and institutional framework.
Successful candidates will be associated with one of the four clusters and conduct their own research, which should have a bearing on the theme of the program. They are also expected to spend a certain amount of time to support the program’s academic, educational and organizational activities in accordance with their specialization, including on-site education at “field stations” and other research facilities.
For further details, please read the statements contained in this website.

http://www.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/G-COE/top_en.html

Professor Kaoru Sugihara
Program Director
Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

1.Positions available:
1)COE Assistant Professor: three positions
We seek candidates with excellent international scholarly attainment who demonstrate strong motivation towards formulating a paradigm for “Sustainable Humanosphere.”
2)Researcher (COE): seven positions
We seek post-doctoral candidates with the spirit of challenge towards incorporating into their own research a wider perspective that integrates the humanities and sciences.
*It is possible to apply for both positions simultaneously.

2.Institutional affiliation:
The successful candidate will be affiliated with the Global COE program “In Search of Sustainable Humanosphere in Asia and Africa”, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, and executed by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies and other related institutions and faculties of Kyoto University.

3.Period of employment:
Initial appointment will be for a period of two years. Extension of one year will be considered. In the Japanese system of funding of which this program is part, the formal contract period is terminated at the end of each fiscal year (March 31), and is renewed every April. Our intention is to renew the contract at least until the first 24 months’ period of appointment is completed.

4.Job description:
1)The successful candidate will be responsible for formulating research questions and conducting research which meets the aims and purposes of the program and to present and publish the research findings.
2)The successful candidate will be responsible for managing various academic coordination work in running the G-COE program.

5.Qualifications:
1)We seek promising scholars qualified to promote through his/her research a new paradigm for “Sustainable Humanosphere”
2)The applicant must have a Ph.D. or outstanding research records which are directly relevant to this program.
3)The applicant must not be the recipient of JSPS Post Doctoral Fellowship or any other similar programs at the time of employment.
4)The applicant must be residing in an area that enables assuming the responsibilities mentioned above at the time of employment.
5)Applicants of any nationality will be accepted although Japanese language ability at the level of daily communication is desirable.

6.Terms and conditions:
1)Working hours: 40 hours per week (Monday-Friday) for a COE Assistant Professor, 30 hours per week (Monday-Friday) for a Researcher (COE).
2)Payment of remuneration and other benefits for COE Assistant Professor and Researcher (COE) will be in accordance with the regulations of Kyoto University for untenured full-time employment and for employment by the hour, respectively. The amount of salary of a COE Assistant Professor will be the equivalent of other regular assistant professors at Kyoto University. The annual payment to a Researcher (COE) will be approximately three million Japanese Yen.
3) As a faculty member of Kyoto University, insurance policy will be applied. Furthermore use of the libraries on campus, access to network services and other facilities will be made available.

7.Documents required:
1) Application form(the form is available on web, see below).
2) Curriculum Vitae
3) List of publications (indicate whether the articles were refereed).
4) List of research funds obtained (indicate whether you were the principal applicant or not).
5) Major research publications (not more than three pieces, xeroxed copies are acceptable).
6) Summary of past scholarly activities and achievements (1200 words or less).
7) Statement of your ability to conduct and present research in international settings including records of participation in international academic conferences and seminars, fieldwork experiences, and communicative skills in foreign languages (600 words or less).
8) Statement of your aspiration towards the paradigm formulation for “Sustainable Humanosphere”(1200 words or less).

9) Names and addresses (including telephone numbers and E-mail addresses) of two persons we can contact for your references.
* Note that material submitted for application will not be returned.
* If you wish to apply for both Associate Professor and Researcher (COE) positions, you should submit two separate sets of application documents except for item #5, and post them in the same envelope. However, in the case of major research publications (#5), a single set for both applications will suffice.

8.Application deadline:
Friday, August 17, 2007 (Japanese time)

9.Selection procedure and notification of results:
1) The result of selection based on application documents will be notified by E-mail to all applicants by August 24th, 2007. There will be an interview on August 30th and 31st for those who have passed the document-based selection. A short presentation in English of your research interests will be requested at the interview. Finally, a letter of acceptance will be sent to the successful applicants in early September. The appointment is scheduled to begin on 1 October.
2) For those who are unable to take an interview on the specified dates, typically living abroad, a separate procedure will be set up, once they have passed the document-based selection. The appointment of non-Japanese candidates is likely to begin on 1 November.
* The applicants must pay their own travel expenses for the interview.
** The appointment may be postponed if there are no appropriate candidates.

10.Requesting forms and sending applications
1) Application documents are available on web at:
http://www.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/G-COE/top_en.html
The applicants may also request for the documents at the office of the G-COE program indicated below.

(Mailing address)
Office of the G-COE program,
Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University
46 Shimoadachi-cho, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
Phone: +81 75 753 7358
Fax: +81 75 753 7350

2) Application documents must be sent to the office of the G-COE program by registered mail before the deadline. Please indicate “Application for G-COE positions” in red on the envelope.
In addition, in order to ensure smooth communication, please send the application form only by E-mail attachment, using the form on web (word file), to: [gcoe_office : Please append "@cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp" at the end of E-mail address.]
with the title “Application forms for COE Assistant Professor” or “Application forms for COE Researcher”.

11. Contact:
For further information, please contact the G-COE office indicated above.

12. Further information:
1)If another permanent job is found during the term of employment, you must notify the program leader at least one month before appointment to the new position. In such cases, the contract as COE Assistant Professor / Researcher (COE) will be terminated one day before the beginning of the new job.
2)In publishing any academic articles based on research conducted within the Program, acknowledgement of the Program should be mentioned clearly in the publication.