Recruitment

Open Call for a Project Assistant Professor or Researcher
(Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research Center)

Background and Project Description

The Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research Center (BMK Center) at Hiroshima University is seeking to appoint a Project Assistant Professor or Researcher in research areas including neuroscience, machine learning, bioinformatics, and psychology.

We welcome applications from highly motivated individuals who share Hiroshima University’s philosophy, long-term vision, and mid-term goals, and who are eager to contribute actively to the university’s education and research missions.

• Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research Center (BMK Center)
• Hiroshima University’s Philosophy, Long-term Vision, and Mid-term Goals

Job Description

Job Description

Field of Expertise

Neuroscience, machine learning, bioinformatics, data science, psychology, or related fields

Duties and Responsibilities

The Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research Center (BMK Center) is engaged in the AMED-PRIME program “Elucidation and prediction of mechanisms underlying sex differences and individual differences.”
Within this project, the successful candidate will be involved in research and development activities including:

• Denoising of functional brain imaging data using variational autoencoders
• Development of transformation algorithms between EEG and functional MRI signals
• Development of novel functional connectivity estimation methods using deep learning

In addition to these methodological developments, the candidate will also conduct basic research aimed at elucidating the neural bases of information processing across the five senses.

The center is equipped with extensive computational resources as well as MRI-compatible stimulus systems covering all five senses, including vision, audition, touch, taste, and olfaction. We welcome motivated early-career researchers who wish to pursue creative and independent research by fully leveraging this advanced research environment.

Affiliation

Existing Division: Affective Data Science Division,
Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research Center, Hiroshima University

Position

• Project Assistant Professor (equivalent)
• Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcher (equivalent)

Research Fields

• Life Sciences – Cognitive Neuroscience
• Information and Communication – Intelligent Informatics
• Humanities and Social Sciences – Cognitive Science

Salary

Project Assistant Professor (equivalent):
Annual salary: JPY 4,000,000 – 5,000,000
The estimated annual salary is based on a standard career profile and may vary depending on educational background, academic degree, and professional experience.

Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcher (equivalent):
Annual salary: JPY 4,000,000 – 5,000,000
The estimated annual salary is based on a standard career profile and may vary depending on educational background, academic degree, and professional experience.

Working Hours

Project Assistant Professor (equivalent)

• Working hours: 08:30–17:00
• Break: 12:00–12:45
• Days off: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the year-end/New Year holidays (December 29 – January 3), in principle
• Overtime and other notes:
  If the employee agrees to the application of the Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work, the employee is deemed to have worked 7 hours and 45 minutes per day.

Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcher (equivalent)

• Working hours: 08:30–17:15
• Break: 12:00–13:00
• Days off: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the year-end/New Year holidays (December 29 – January 3), in principle
• Overtime and other notes:
  If the employee agrees to the application of the Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work, the employee is deemed to have worked 7 hours and 45 minutes per day.

Application Guidelines

Qualifications

Required Degree: PhD
Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Have a strong interest in neuroscience and/or machine learning.
2. Hold a doctoral degree (including an equivalent degree awarded outside Japan).

Employment Type

• Project Assistant Professor (equivalent): Fixed-term contract employee
• Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcher (equivalent): Fixed-term contract employee

Contract Period

Project Assistant Professor (equivalent)

• Fixed-term position (non–tenure track)
• From the date of appointment until March 31, 2026
• Contract renewal may be possible based on performance and continuation of duties.
  If renewed, the maximum contract period is until March 31, 2028.
• Probationary period: 6 months (no change in employment conditions)

Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcher (equivalent)

• Fixed-term position (non–tenure track)
• From the date of appointment until March 31, 2026
• Contract renewal may be possible based on performance and continuation of duties.
  If renewed, the maximum contract period is until March 31, 2028.
• Probationary period: 6 months (no change in employment conditions)

Work Location

1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku,
Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan

Compensation and Benefits

Personnel Systems

• Salary increase system: Available
• Mandatory retirement system: Available

Insurance Coverage

• Health insurance
• Employees’ pension insurance
• Workers’ accident compensation insurance
• Employment insurance

Smoking Policy

• Entire campus is smoke-free

Additional Notes

• Other employment conditions shall be governed by the rules and regulations of Hiroshima University.

Application Considerations

Number of Positions Available: One (1)

Additional Information on the Position:
Expected start date: As early as possible on or after October 1, 2025

Application Period

• From August 29, 2025
  Applications may be closed before the stated deadline if a suitable candidate is identified.

How to Apply

Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae: Electronic submission
• List of Publications: Electronic submission

Additional Required Documents (Electronic Submission)

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (free format, with photo attached).
   If the applicant has been employed by Hiroshima University within the past five years (including as a TA, RA, or researcher), this must be stated explicitly.
2. List of research achievements, with each item numbered.
   • Peer-reviewed papers should be underlined.
   • The three most important publications should be marked with an asterisk (*) at the beginning of the item number.
3. Three major publications (PDF files)
4. Major achievements related to academic administration and management at universities or other institutions
5. Record of external research funding obtained during the past five years
6. Statement of research and teaching goals and a mid- to long-term research plan (2,000–3,000 Japanese characters)
7. ResearcherID or ORCID information (free format)
   This can be obtained via Clarivate Analytics or the ORCID website.

Submission Address

Email subject:
“Application for Faculty Position at Hiroshima University (Affective Data Science Division)”
Please upload all application files to a cloud storage service and include the download link(s) in the body of the email.
If you do not receive a confirmation email within one week, please contact us.

Handling of Application Materials
All application materials will be securely disposed of by the center and will not be returned.

Selection Process and Notification

Selection Procedure

1. Document screening
2. Interviews may be conducted if necessary.
   Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted separately regarding the interview format.
3. Promotion of gender equality:
   Hiroshima University actively promotes gender equality. In accordance with the Basic Act for a Gender-Equal Society, if candidates are evaluated as equivalent in terms of achievements (research, education, social contributions, etc.) and personal qualifications, female candidates will be given priority.

Notification of Results

Applicants will be notified of the results by email.

Contact Information

Junichi Chikazoe
Brain, Mind and Kansei Sciences Research Center
Hiroshima University

Phone: +81-82-257-1737
Email: chikazoe(at)hiroshima-u.ac.jp
(Please replace “(at)” with “@” when sending the email.)

Notes

1. Personal information obtained through the application process will be used solely for selection and post-employment administrative procedures (personnel, salary, and welfare) and will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose.
2. Hiroshima University also provides information on other job opportunities (research, administrative positions, etc.).
   This may be useful for accompanying partners seeking employment.
   Job listings: https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/employment
3. For successful candidates, relocation expenses may be reimbursed in accordance with Hiroshima University regulations. Please inquire for details.