The International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS) at Kumamoto University in Japan (http://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/) is seeking qualified applicants for independent faculty positions at the rank of Associate Professor. Our center's research focus is on Development, Stem Cell, Aging, and Cancer. The appointment is expected to begin on April 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. Appointments are for a renewable 5-year term upon evaluation and approval by the center director.

Qualifications

Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. or M.D. in biomedical sciences and to develop active, independently-funded research programs as Principal Investigators. Ideal candidates should have research experience and a publication record in the fields of Life Sciences, such as Development, Stem cell, Aging, or Cancer, and have the capability to develop new analytic tools for further advanced studies in these fields. We also welcome applications from those who are actively promoting interdisciplinary research, such as studies combining semiconductors and medicine. It is essential for candidates to be able to communicate fluently in English. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a research seminar and interview.

Kumamoto University promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, and strongly encourages applications from women and underrepresented minorities. For this reason, we welcome and encourage applications from female researchers for this selection process, and the position is exclusively for women.

Salary

Terms and conditions are set in accordance with the rules and regulations of Kumamoto University.

Application documents and deadline

Interested applicants must assemble and submit their application packet composed of: (1) curriculum vitae with email address, photo and contact information (appendix 1); (2) a list of peer-reviewed publications and other achievements (appendix 2); (3) a summary of research accomplishment (appendix 3); (4) a summary of current and future research (appendix 4); (5) a list of 3-5 people whom we can contact for reference letters (appendix 5).

The packet should be sent no later than December 12^th, 2025 (Japan Standard Time / JST) to the following address or e-mail address: recruit_ircms @jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp

Other Information

・This recruitment is conducted exclusively for women as a measure to actively improve the significantly low percentage of female faculty members, in accordance with Article 8 of the "Equal Employment Opportunity Act" (Special Provisions for Measures Pertaining to Female Workers).

・If no applications are received during the period of exclusive recruitment for women, or if no candidates are selected as a result of the selection process, the recruitment will be opened to general applicants.

・Kumamoto University offers a system that enables principal investigators to allocate a portion of direct expenses from competitive research grants or privately funded joint research toward salary supplements (up to 8 million yen per year for associate professors). Alternatively, these funds may be used as discretionary research expenses or to support the employment of early-career researchers.

For details, please refer to the following website:

https://www.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/kenkyuu_sangakurenkei/kenkyuu/kenkyu/jwalct

Note: This website is available in Japanese only.

Director TOMIZAWA Kazuhito, Ph.D.

International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University

c/o Mr. KIYONAGA Eiichi

2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City 860-0811 Japan

Inquiries

For further inquiries, please contact Mr. KIYONAGA Eiichi, e-mail: recruit_ircms  @jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp Please allow sufficient time to respond to your inquiries.