JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT-Project Professor, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
NAOJ has positions open for project professors who will lead research and development

for space astronomy and instrumentation. We expect applications from scientists andengineering scientists who are willing to actively take on new challenges in this field.

1. Job Title: Project Professor (based on annual salary system), a few positions
2. Division and Location: The Advanced Technology Center (ATC), NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo 1818588, Japan
3. Area of Expertise: Astronomy, Physics, and Space Science
4. Job Description:
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has been playing a key role in theforefront of astronomical research worldwide, as demonstrated in the construction and operationof large-scale astronomical facilities such as the Subaru Telescope, ALMA, and TMT (ThirtyMeter Telescope) as well as in the development of space-based instruments such as Hinode
Satellite for solar observation, in the effort to promote cutting-edge astronomy utilizing theseadvanced telescopes. The NAOJ Advanced Technology Center (ATC), the research center foradvanced technology development to support these important astronomical programs, has been
producing successful results in the development of various astronomical instruments.
We invite applications for project professor positions at ATC. A successful candidate for thisposition is expected to lead research and development at ATC and strengthen ATC’s technology
infrastructure for the advancement of space astronomy and instrumentation in collaboration withnot only scientists, engineers, and technicians within ATC but also those working for astronomical
projects at NAOJ. Fostering young scientists, engineers, and technicians, including PhD students,
is required as part of the responsibilities of this position. Also, the successful candidate is expected
to play a leading role in the management or system engineering of space projects implemented inNAOJ. To lead such tasks, the successful candidate may be transferred from ATC to a relevant
space project after employment.
As prerequisites for this position, applicants are expected to have: 1) solid and provenbackground and professional experience in the field of space astronomy and instrumentation; 2)ability to read the trends in a wide variety of technologies; and 3) leadership to strongly drive
forward research and development keeping pace with the demands of science and technology inthe world. If the successful candidate is deemed to have had distinguished achievements andextensive experience in his/her research career, he/she may be given the title of “Distinguished
1Professor.”
5. Terms of Appointment:
The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as reasonably possible after the job
offer has been accepted.
The term of the contract is five years. Note that the contract will not be renewed after the endof the Japanese academic year in which the project professor reaches NAOJ’s mandatory
retirement age of 65.
6. Minimum Academic Requirements:(1) Ph.D. or equivalent(2) Internationally recognized research results in the field of expertise(3) Experience as a lead or key member of the development team for a large-scale astronomicalproject
7. Required Application Materials: (*To be prepared in English. Any other language will not beaccepted.)(1) Cover letter;(2) Curriculum vitae;(3) Publications list (Separate refereed and non-refereed papers. SPIE and COSPAR can beincluded in refereed papers.);(4) Summary of your past research activities including international collaborations;(5) Your plans to fulfill the responsibilities and aspirations for the position (including yourresearch plan as needed);(6) Your easily reachable contact information (e-mail and phone) and the e-mail address of yourcurrent supervisor or line manager.
(7) Three or more reference letters. Note that your current supervisor or line manager cannot
serve as a reference. Please ask your references to send a letter as an e-mail attachment to thesubmission address shown in 9. (1). Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the lettersarrive before the application deadline. (Reference letters should be written by faculty/staff
with tenured positions, and no more than one reference letter will be accepted from eachcountry.)
8. Application Deadline: 17:00 Friday, February 1, 2019 (Japan Standard Time)
9. Submission:2(1) E-mail your application documents to:(E-mail address): apply-atc-space-prof20190201_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)(Subject of e-mail): “Application for Project Professor Position of Space Astronomy andInstrumentation”(2) Contact for Inquiries:(E-mail address): takami.hideki_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)Prof. Hideki Takami, Director of Engineering, NAOJ
10. Notes for Application:•Convert each application document (from 7.(1) through 7.(6) above) into a separate PDF
file and attach them to your e-mail.

•Make PDF files with appropriate resolution so that they won’t be too large (file size: up to10 MB)•Upon receipt of your application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. If you do notreceive any response from NAOJ within 3 working days, please contact:(E-mail address): apply-atc-space-prof20190201_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 travel to the interview will not becovered by NAOJ.

•If the selection committee deems that there is no qualified candidate for this position, it ispossible no one will be selected.

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 http://open-info.nao.ac.jp/danjokyodo/3