Full Professor at the JASMINE Porject of NAOJ(National Astronomical Observatory of Japan)

NAOJ invites applications for a full professor position as follows:

1. Job Title: Professor, one position

2. Division and Location: JASMINE Project, Mitaka, Tokyo

3. Area of Expertise: Space Engineering, Astronomy, and/or related fields

4. Job Description:

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has been playing a key role in science satellite missions in collaboration with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). NAOJ has the JASMINE Project aiming to develop an infrared space astrometry mission, Small-JASMINE. The Small-JASMINE is planned to have the ability to image the stellar kinematics in the central region of the Milky Way Galaxy at a distance of 8 kpc by the infrared astrometric observations, enabling one to study the formations of its bulge, bar, disk and central black hole and to identify the region of the birth and the trajectory of the solar system through the performance of Galactic Center Archeology and Galactoseismology. Furthermore, Small-JASMINE will carry out the exploration of the potentially habitable exoplanets by the time-domain astronomical observations. Now Small-JASMINE was selected by ISAS/JAXA (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, a branch of JAXA) as the unique candidate of the 3rd Medium-Class science satellite mission. The target launch date is the second half of 2020s.

We invite applications for a full professor position at the JASMINE project of NAOJ. A successful candidate for this position is expected to lead the development of the satellite system for Small-JASMINE. In particular, the successful candidate is expected to lead system engineering and control several interfaces in the development of mission instruments and also to manage scientists, engineers and technicians in the developments for the satellite bus system and the sub-systems of the mission system. The responsibilities of this position require continuously demonstrating leadership and outstanding performance in research activities, and also fostering collaborations among NAOJ scientists and engineers to stimulate productivity of science and development by making the best use of NAOJ’s strengths. Fostering of young scientists and/or engineers including supervising students in the PhD’s program is also required as part of the responsibility.

The NAOJ Advanced Technology Center (ATC), the research center for advanced technology development to support these important astronomical programs, has been producing successful results in the development of various astronomical instruments. After the employment, the successful candidate may be transferred to the ATC, depending on the nature of the work being involved. As required qualifications for this position, applicants are expected to have: 1) solid and proven background and professional experience in the field of space astronomy and instrumentation; 2) ability to read trends of various technologies from a wide perspective; and 3) leadership to strongly drive forward the research and development keeping up with the demands of science and technology in the world.

5. Terms of Appointment:

The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as possible after the job offer has been accepted. The term of contract is up to the end of the Japanese academic year in which the faculty reaches NAOJ's mandatory retirement age of 65. The probation period of six months is included.

6. Minimum Educational Requirement: Ph.D. or equivalent

7. Required Application Materials: (*To be prepared in English. Any other language will not be accepted.)

(1) A cover letter,

(2) A curriculum vitae,

(3) Publications list (Separate refereed and non-refereed papers. SPIE and COSPAR can be included in refereed papers.),

(4) A summary of your past research activities including international collaborations,

(5) Your commitment and plan to fulfill the duties

(6) Your address (e-mail and phone) for prompt contact and the email address of your current supervisor or line manager.

(7) Three or more reference letters. Note that your current supervisor or line manager cannot be your reference. Please ask the individuals to send the letter as an e-mail attachment to the submission address shown in 9. (1). Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the letters arrive before the application deadline (all reference letters should be written by faculty/staff with tenured positions, and no more than two reference letters will be accepted from each country).

8. Application Deadline: 2020-01-24, 17:00 (Japan Standard Time)

9. Submission:

(1) Send your application documents by e-mail to;

E-mail: apply-jasmine-prof20200124_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)

Subject of e-mail: “Application for Professor of NAOJ JASMINE Project”.

(2) If you have any question, contact;

E-mail: naoteru.gouda_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)

Professor Gouda, Naoteru,

Project manager of JASMINE Project, NAOJ,

Subject of e-mail: “Question on Professor of JASMINE”

10. Notes for application:

Convert each application documents (from 7. (1) through 7. (6) above) to separate PDF files and attach them to your e-mail for application.

Make PDF files with appropriate resolution so that they won’t be too large (file size: up to 10 MB)

Upon receipt of your application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. If you do not receive any response from NAOJ within 3 working days, please contact;

E-mail: apply-jasmine-prof20200124_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)

Candidates selected in the final short list may be interviewed by the selection committee either via internet or face-to-face. The expense for the interview will not be covered by NAOJ.

11. Remarks:

The NAOJ Advisory Committee for Research and Management will make the final decision for the appointment.

Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity: Abiding by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act for Men and Women, NAOJ is committed to the realization of a society with gender equality. If two candidates are deemed equal in their performance evaluation, NAOJ will take positive action to employ women. For details, see https://open-info.nao.ac.jp/danjokyodo/

Information submitted in your application documents will not be used for any purpose other than the selection process and for contacting you with necessary notices in connection with the selection. Once the selection process is complete, we will securely dispose of all application documents and personal information, except for those submitted by the successful candidate.