Job description
Background of the recruitment and description of the project
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has been playing a leading role at the forefront of global astronomical research. ALMA is the largest (sub)mm-wave on-ground telescope and has been producing ground-breaking science since it became operative in 2011. In order to keep its high scientific productivity, ALMA will be upgraded towards addressing the updated scientific goals identified in the ALMA Development Roadmap. The highest priority item in the Development Roadmap is the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade, which aims to enable observations across expanded frequency ranges through significant upgrades to the receivers of ALMA.
Work content and job description
We invite applications for an Associate Professor who is based in Chile and contributes mainly to the development and commissioning of the ALMA2030 Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) and subsequent Extension of Observation Capabilities (EOC), as well as the onsite array operation in Chile. Specifically, their major responsibilities are as follows:
- The candidate is expected to be appointed as an international staff member of Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) at the earliest possible stage and will be assigned the following duties (65%):
- To contribute to ALMA’s daily operations as a member of the Science Operations Team or the Engineering Team, and
- To contribute to the development and commissioning in WSU conducted in Chile, in collaboration with local Chilean staff and personnel dispatched by Executives.
It is desirable that within a few years, the candidate will be able to take on a leadership role managing a team of 10 or more people in WSU and subsequent EOC activities.
- To share experiences gained in Chile with the entire ALMA project, including Japan, and to foster smooth communication within the project as well as the development of young and technical staff responsible for telescope operations (10%).
- To conduct original research in radio astronomy and make use of the experience to broader activities such as education and public outreach (25%).
(Scope of possible changes) Research and teaching activities designated by NINS / NAOJ
Assigned department
Existing departments
NAOJ ALMA Project
Job type
Associate Professor
Research field
- Natural Science - Astronomy
- Others - Others
- Radio astronomy and radio interferometry
Wages
Annual Salary: 6 million yen ~ 9 million yen
Salary: Annual salary shall be determined based on professional knowledge, skills, required education, and job experiences as per the NINS regulations (NINS, or the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, is an upper-level organization that manages NAOJ). Payments will be made monthly in 12 equal installments.
Allowance for working in Japan: Commuting allowance (up to 150,000 yen per month) will be paid when the requirements based on the NINS regulations are met.
Allowances for working in Chile: Foreign service allowance and other allowances will be paid to employees who meet the conditions outlined in the NINS regulations. Especially, foreign service allowance will be paid if the candidate moves their principal place of living to Chile from outside of the country to start this job. An amount equivalent to the year-end allowance and diligence allowance will be included in the annual salary.
Working hours
- Working hours: 08:30-17:15
- Break time: 12:00-13:00
- Holidays: Saturdays and Sundays, National Holidays, New Year holidays (December 29th - January 3rd), Annual paid leave, Refreshment leave, Summer closure, Bereavement leave, etc.
- Overtime and other explanations: 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)
Application requirements
Qualifications
Education and Degree Requirements
Ph.D. / Doctor
Minimum Educational Requirement: Ph.D. or equivalent in astronomy or related fields;
Work experience
To have deep expertise in radio astronomy and radio interferometry, and experience in telescope operations;
To have good communication skills and good English proficiency to discuss and collaborate in international teams;
Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to work in a team with diverse cultural background will be considered important assets for this position.
- Frequent visit to high site (5,000m above sea level) is expected
Employment Type
Regular employee
Contract period
Tenured - Non-tenure track
The successful candidate should be able to start working at NAOJ as soon as reasonably possible after accepting the job offer.
The term of the contract will continue up to the end of the Japanese academic year in which the candidate reaches NAOJ's mandatory retirement age of 65.
Probationary period present
The hired candidate will undergo a six-month probationary period upon commencement of employment.
Work location
Others
Division and Location: NAOJ ALMA Project, Santiago, Chile
Frequent visits to the high-altitude site (5,000 m above sea level) are expected.
- In some cases, the location for the first month of employment may be Mitaka, Japan.
(Scope of possible changes) Location designated by NINS / NAOJ
Compensation
Various systems
Pay increase system: available/ Once a year in accordance with the performance review
Bonus: An amount equivalent to the year-end allowance and diligence allowance will be included in the annual salary.
Retirement allowances: Provided
Transportation expenses: Provided. Commutation allowance will be paid to employees who meet the conditions outlined in the NINS regulations.
Retirement age: available/65
Others: Travel and relocation:
Eligible employees will be provided with a relocation travel package to NAOJ, subject to the travel regulations of NINS (details must be arranged with the administration office).
Insurance
- Employees' Health Insurance: available/MEXT Mutual Aid Association
- Employees' Pension Insurance: available
- Worker's accident insurance: available
- Employment insurance: available
Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is prohibited on the premises excluding designated outdoor smoking areas.
Application Considerations
Number of hired
1 person(s)
Application period
2026/08/07~2026/10/23 Deadline for receipt
12:00(noon) (Japan Standard Time)
Application method
Attached documents
Other online application forms
Required Application Materials (To be prepared in English. Any other language will not be accepted)
- Cover letter;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Publications list (Separate refereed and non-refereed papers. SPIE can be included in refereed papers);
- Summary of your past activities related to this position;
- Your plans to fulfill the responsibilities and achieve the aspirations associated with this position;
- Your address (e-mail and phone) for prompt contact and the email address of your current supervisor or line manager; and
- Two or more reference letters. Please ask your references to upload their letters directly using the URL indicated in [How to Submit an Application] before the application deadline. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the letters are submitted before the application deadline.
Return of application documents
Others
Information submitted in your application documents will not be used for any purpose other than the selection process and for contacting you with necessary notices in connection with the selection. Once the selection process is complete, we will securely dispose of all application documents and personal information except those submitted by the successful candidate.
JREC-IN Portal web application
Not available
E-mail Application
Not available
Recruiting Institution's Web application system
Accept
How to Submit an Application
Applicants are required to apply via the NAOJ Nextcloud on the web.
- Please access the following URL for registration:https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/atvMKDNeDF
- After you submit the registration form, you will receive an email showing the URLs for
(a) uploading your application documents and
(b) your reference letters. - Please ask your references to upload their letters via the URL shown in (2)(b).
- Please upload the application documents via the URL (2)(a). These files must be in PDF format (max 50MB each, 100MB in total, at most 10 files)
URL of this job posting
https://www.nao.ac.jp/contents/job-vacancy/20260806-alma.pdf
Selection / Notification of result
Selection
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.
Notification of result
Contact details
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
[If you have any question related to the other items, contact]
Personnel Unit, General Affairs Group, Administration Department
0422343600
job02-associateprof(at)nao.ac.jp
- Please change (at) to @ and send it.
If you have any questions related to the job description, contact;
E-mail address: s.iguchi_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace AT with @)
Satoru Iguchi, Director of NAOJ ALMA, NAOJ
Subject of e-mail: “Question on JD of Associate Professor in NAOJ ALMA Project”
(2)If you have any questions related to the other items, contact;
E-mail address: job02-associateprof_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace AT with @)
Subject of e-mail: “Question on Application for Assoc. Professor in NAOJ ALMA Project”
Notes
- This position is subject to the NINS Employee Regulations. The annual salary schedule indicated in Table (2) of the Research-Education Employee Base Annual Salary shall be applied to this position.
- Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity: Abiding by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act for Men and Women, NAOJ is committed to realizing 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 [www2.nao.ac.jp/~open-info/genderequality/en/] *put "https:" before //.
- If you have taken a leave(s) for maternity, childcare, and family care, please indicate it in your curriculum vitae. We will take it into account when assessing your performance. For details, see [//www2.nao.ac.jp/~open-info/genderequality/en/]. *put "https:" before //.
- NINS implements the program to support staff members (young researchers) who received educational loans (scholarships) from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and are now repaying them. For details, see[//www.nins.jp/about/folder7/dairihenkan.html]. *put "https:" before //.
[Name of recruiter]
Inter-University Research Institute Corporation, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS),
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
