Position Description

Tohoku University, Japan – Faculty Position (Data Science)

Call for Faculty Position – Tenured Professor or Associate Professor in Data Science at the Graduate School of Economics and Management, Tohoku University, Japan

Overview

Tohoku University, designated as Japan’s first University for International Research Excellence, invites applications for a tenured faculty position in Data Science at the Graduate School of Economics and Management. This position is part of the university's initiative to enhance research activities. The appointed faculty member will be exempt from administrative duties and will have an environment conducive to advanced research. Supervising undergraduate or graduate students (including laboratory management) is optional. The candidate is expected to produce internationally influential publications or books in the field of Data Science or related areas.

The Data Science Group at our department has produced innovative and internationally recognized research. We have been actively publishing in international journals, engaging in international co-authorships, and collaborating with overseas researchers through joint research projects and academic presentations. Our group has decided to strengthen its focus on both the theoretical and applied aspects of data science. Building upon classical statistics and econometrics, we have achieved significant results by developing rich applications across diverse fields in conjunction with the advancement of modern AI and machine learning.

We believe that the theory and methodology of data science are essential for the advancement of the humanities and social sciences. In these disciplines, sample sizes are often limited, and classical methods from statistics and econometrics have traditionally been used. However, recent technological advances—such as sensors and cameras—are making it increasingly possible to collect large-scale data on human behavior and society. As a result, modern data science is expected to make substantial contributions to the social sciences.

We welcome researchers who seek to address contemporary societal challenges through data science approaches in the humanities and social sciences, including marketing, education, psychology, urban engineering, finance, policy analysis, institutional design, and socio-technical systems. Theoretical researchers who pursue the mathematical foundations of data science are also encouraged to apply.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field at the time of appointment
• Advanced English proficiency sufficient for academic communication
• Outstanding research achievements and clear future research plan in Data Science or related fields

Job Description:

The successful candidate will engage in research in the field of Data Science and is expected to produce internationally recognized academic publications and/or books. The position does not include administrative responsibilities. Supervision of undergraduate or graduate students (including laboratory management) is optional. The successful candidate may be asked to teach one 90-minute class per week during a semester.

Working Conditions:

• Position: Tenured Professor or Associate Professor in Data Science
• Work Location: Graduate School of Economics and Management, Tohoku University, 27-1 Kawauchi, Aoba ward, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
• Start Date: As early as possible on or after October 1, 2026
• Salary: Determined through negotiation based on experience and achievements, according to Tohoku University regulations
• Research Funding: Institutional research funding is provided as part of the university's initiative to enhance research activities

Application Documents

1. Cover letter
2. A curriculum vitae (CV)
3. A completed resume (with photograph, designated format)
4. Researcher ID information (designated format), or full list of academic achievements if ID is not available
5. Summary of research achievements and future research plan
6. Five representative publications
7. Contact information of three references who can respond to inquiries regarding your application
8. Three letters of recommendation (to be submitted directly by the referees; these individuals may or may not be the same as the references listed above)
9. A completed and signed ‘Conduct Questionnaire’ (designated format)

Application Method and Deadline:

• Combine the items listed above (except for the letters of recommendation) into a single PDF file and submit it via Google Form: https://forms.gle/A4DFZGVqSqdt6Gth8
  The file name must be formatted as [applicant’s-first-name_applicant’s-family-name.pdf], [john_doe.pdf] for example.
• Letters of recommendation, in PDF format, must be submitted directly by the referees via Google Form: https://forms.gle/mznAEmeb3iJvaGpd7
  The file name must be formatted as [family-name-of-applicant_family-name-of-referee.pdf], [doe_toutlemonde.pdf] for example.
• In the case applicants or referees are unable to access Google Forms, please submit the files listed above by e-mail to: data-econ2025@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
• Application Deadline: 8AM, October 31, 2025 (GMT)
• Contact: data-econ2025@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
• Please indicate in your cover letter how you learned about this job opening (e.g., which website or medium).

Regarding the Selection Process:

After the document screening, shortlisted candidates may be invited to visit the university for an interview.

Allocation, Laboratory Space & Accommodation:

Successful individuals will be allocated an office and laboratory space on campus. There may also be the opportunity to move into university accommodation if there are any vacancies.

Welfare:

Successful individuals will be enrolled as a member of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Mutual Aid Association which will also provide health insurance for any dependents. Tohoku University will also provide pension insurance, employment insurance as well as industrial accident compensation insurance.

Annual Paid Leave:

Employees are entitled to twenty days annual paid leave per year. The number of days provided is reckoned as of January 1st. Each year, twenty days are added to any remaining paid leave from the previous calendar year (up to twenty days). Annual leave for the first year of employment is calculated based on the start date (e.g., a start date of April 1st would provide 15 days for the remaining nine months of the calendar year).

Remarks:

• Tohoku University has established a support system to assist the spouses of qualified faculty members in finding employment opportunities for academic and non-academic jobs within the university. For more information, please contact the recruiting department.
• Tohoku University promotes activities to increase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and encourages people of varied talents from all backgrounds to apply for positions at the university.
• Tohoku University's website about the DEI Declaration can be found here:
  https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/about/
• Pursuant to Article 8 of the Act on Securing, Etc. of Equal Opportunity and Treatment between Men and Women in Employment, Tohoku University shall, as a measure for increasing the presence of women among the academic staff, prioritize the hiring of women deemed qualified for each job opening, based on impartial evaluation.
• Tohoku University has published 'Tohoku University-Live as Who You Are-Guidelines for Gender and Sexual Diversity' to provide explanations and details of how those at the university should respond with respect to diverse sexuality. The purpose of theguidelines is to create an environment in which all students, faculty, and staff respect diverse sexuality in their academic, research, and professional activities.
  Please see the Tohoku University Center for Gender Equality Promotion website:
  https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/consulting/for_minority/
• Tohoku University has the largest on-campus childcare system of all Japanese national universities. This network comprises three nurseries: Kawauchi Keyaki Nursery school (capacity: 22) and Aobayama Midori Nursery school (116), both open to all university employees, as well as Hoshinoko Nursery school (120), which is open to employees working at Tohoku University Hospital. In addition, Tohoku University Hospital runs a childcare room for mildly ill and convalescent children which is available to alluniversity employees
• See the following website for information on these and other programs that Tohoku University runs to assist work-life balance, to support researchers, and to advance gender equality, including measures to promote childcare leave among male employees.
  Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tohoku University Website:
  https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/vision/consulting/for_family/
  Human Resources and Planning Department website (Japanese text only):
  https://c.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/jinji-top/external/a-4-kosodate/