JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Project Assistant Professor (Exoplanet Atmospheres), Prof. Ikoma’s group, Division of Science,
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
1. Job Title: Project Assistant Professor, one position
2. Division and Location: Division of Science, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ),Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588, Japan
3. Area of Expertise: Exoplanet atmosphere science and/or related fields
4. Job Description:
The Division of Science, NAOJ, aims to strategically develop new fields of growth in natural science forfurther advancement of astronomy. The Division has identified exoplanet science as one of its primary areasof focus. Large observational missions such as TMT are currently underway or planned to detect andcharacterize exoplanets to gain a better understanding of the diversity and origins of planetary systems andthe existence of habitable planets. Ariel, a space telescope devoted to infrared observation for exoplanets, isscheduled to be launched in 2029. Its mission is to carry out a comprehensive survey of exoplanet
atmospheres. In addition, LAPYUTA, an ultraviolet spectroscopic observation satellite, is proposed to belaunched in the early 2030s to enhance our knowledge of the atmospheric evolution of habitable planets.
Professor Ikoma has served as a Co-PI for the Ariel mission and is responsible for science coordination
within the consortium and Japanese contributions to Ariel. In the mission consortium, he leads research on
small exoplanets like super-Earths and sub-Neptunes. We invite applications for a project assistant professor
position to conduct exoplanet science research with Prof. Ikoma in the Division of Science to advance theJapanese contributions to Ariel without delay. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating models
related to the structure, composition, and evolution of exoplanet atmospheres. The models should consider
the interaction between the atmosphere and interior as well as atmospheric escape. These models will be a
substantial component of Japanese main contribution to Ariel mission, and can also be used in future spacebased telescope missions such as LAPYUTA to help understand the diversity and origins of planets. We are
seeking candidates with expertise in any of the following topics: exoplanets, planet formation, and planetaryatmospheres.
5. Terms of Appointment:
The start date for the successful candidate is negotiable and expected to be as early as possible after accepting
the job offer. Please contact us with any inquiries.
The appointment term is five years, including a six-month probation period. An annual performance review
will be conducted. If the successful candidate was employed by the National Institutes of Natural Sciences(NINS) after April 1, 2013, the duration of employment will be limited to a total of ten years.

6. Qualification:(1) Minimum Educational Requirement: Ph.D. or equivalent
7. Required Application Materials: (*To be prepared in English)(1) Cover letter addressing your interest in the position(2) Curriculum vitae(3) List of publications (Separate refereed and non-refereed papers and provide individual citation counts
from ADS)(4) Summary of past research activities including international collaborations(5) Outline of research plans(6) Anticipated start date of the job appointment(7) Your address (e-mail and phone) for prompt contact(8) Two reference letters
Please ask your references to upload their letters directly using the URL indicated in section 9.1 before theclosing date for application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the letters are submitted before theclosing date for application.
8. Closing Date for Application: 2024-03-19, 12:00 (Japan Standard Time)
9. Application and Contacts:
9.1. How to Submit an Application:
Applicants are required to apply via the NAOJ Nextcloud on the web.
(1) Please access the following URL for registration:
https://forms.office.com/r/cjJFbn6mAv(2) After you submit the registration form, you will receive an email showing the URLs for (a) uploading
your application documents and (b) for your reference letters.
(3) Please ask your references to upload their letters via the URL (2)(b).
(4) Please upload the application documents (from 7. (1) through 7. (7) above) via the URL (2)(a). Thesefiles must be in PDF format (max 50MB each, 100MB in total, at most 10 files).

9.2. Contacts: If you have any questions related to the job description, contact;
E-mail: masahiro.ikoma_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)Professor Masahiro Ikoma,
Division of Science, NAOJ,
Subject of e-mail: “Question on Project Assistant Professor of Division of Science, NAOJ”
If you have any questions related to the other items, contact;
E-mail address: job16-naoj-pap_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)Subject of e-mail: “Question on Project Assitant Professor of Division of Science, NAOJ”
10. Selection Process:Qualified candidates who will proceed to the final selection may be interviewed by the selection committee
either via the Internet or in person. The expense for the interview will not be covered by NAOJ.
11. Labor Conditions:(1) Work Type and Work Hours: The Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work shall be applied.
(Standard work hours: 38.75 hrs/week, from 8:30 to 17:15 with an hour intermission)(2) Holidays: Saturdays and Sundays, National Holidays, New Year holidays (December 29th - January 3rd),
Annual paid leave, Summer holidays, Bereavement leave, etc.
(3) Social Insurances: MEXT Mutual Aid Association (health insurance), Employees' Pension Insurance,
Employment Insurance, Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance(4) Remuneration:・Salary: The amount of an annual salary shall be determined based on the school career and job experiencesin accordance with the NINS regulations (NINS, or the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, is an
executive institute that manages NAOJ), equivalent to an assistant professor position. The payment will bemade monthly in 12 equivalents.
・Allowances: Commuting expenses (up to 55,000 JPY per month) will be provided. Retirement
allowances are not provided.
・Salary Increase: Once a year in accordance with the performance evaluation
・Travel and relocation costs to NAOJ will be covered, subject to the travel regulations of NINS (details
must be arranged with the administration office).
12. Remarks:
・Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity: Abiding by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act for Menand 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. If you
have taken a leave(s) such as for maternity, childcare, and/or family care, please indicate it in your curriculumvitae. We will consider it when assessing your performance. For details, see
https://www2.nao.ac.jp/~open-info/gender-equality/en/
・Smoking is prohibited on the premises excluding designated outdoor smoking areas.
・Information submitted in your application documents will not be used for any purpose other than theselection process and for contacting you with necessary notices in connection with the selection. Once theselection process is complete, we will securely dispose of all application documents and personal information,
except for those submitted by the successful candidate.

13. Name of recruiter:Inter-University Research Institute Corporation, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS), National
Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)