Job description
Background of the recruitment and description of the project
We seek a candidate in the field of graphic design whose research extends beyond formal techniques and visual expression, and who can relate historical perspectives to contemporary society through a deep understanding of Kyoto’s craft traditions, industrial heritage, and visual culture. In particular, the candidate should understand the roles that design education and graphic design have played, from the modern period onward, in shaping Kyoto’s traditional industries and urban culture, and should be capable of developing these historical insights into new forms of expression and social value.
The candidate is also expected to have a broad interest in such fields as applied craft, photography, moving-image media, and print, to maintain an active creative practice as a designer, and to pursue teaching and research grounded in theory and critical discourse. An active engagement with experimental work involving printing technologies and diverse forms of media expression is also desirable, in combination with a commitment to exploring the future possibilities of visual culture. In addition, the candidate should be able to make effective use of the Museum and Archives of Kyoto Institute of Technology design and applied craft collections, integrate archival resources into teaching and research, and contribute flexibly to the operation and activities of the Museum.
Work content and job description
Work in:
- Education and research at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Department of Design, instruction and research supervision to undergraduate and graduate students
- Curatorial and museum operations duties at the Museum and Archives
Subjects to be taught: Basics of Architecture and Design, Project Design Ⅰ～Ⅳ, Visual Communication Design, Graduation Work, Interaction Design Ⅰ・Ⅱ, Project Design C, Masters Project, Visual Culture, Research Guidance, etc.
Assigned department
Existing departments
Faculty of Design and Architecture
Job type
Associate Professor
Research field
- Humanities & Social Sciences - Design
- Humanities & Social Sciences - Museology
Wages
Annual Salary: 7 million yen ~
- Specific amount to be decided by committee, based on your career achievements.
- Annual income is calculated in accordance with the Annual Salary Scheme based on the wage regulations of Kyoto Institute of Technology. The website below gives information about the salary system in Japanese.https://www.kit.ac.jp/01/reiki_int/reiki_honbun/u042RG00000096.html
- KIT has adopted a system that allows Principal Investigators (PIs) to charge a portion of their personnel expenses to the direct costs of competitive research funding, in accordance with their research effort. Under this system, PIs (Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators) may, upon request, charge their personnel expenses to the direct costs of competitive research funds in proportion to the effort devoted to research activities. The funds thereby made available may be used at the PI's discretion, including as a salary supplement. The total amount that may be paid in a single fiscal year, however, is limited to 60% of the PI's annual salary. For further information, please refer to the following website (available in Japanese only).https://research.web.kit.ac.jp/pijinkenhi/
Working hours
- Working hours: 08:30-17:15
- Break time: 12:00-13:00
- Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and other (August 16, and from December 29 to January 3)
- Overtime and other explanations: De facto working hours* under the discretionary labor system for specialist work: 7 hours 45 minutes per day (38 hours 45 minutes per week). *Hours considered to be working hours
Application requirements
Qualifications
Education and Degree Requirements
Ph.D. / Doctor
A doctoral degree
Work experience
- Professional experience in design-related practice.
- A record of research in applied craft related fields.
- Experience in planning and organizing exhibitions.
- Experience in teaching and supervising undergraduate and graduate students in Japanese.
Employment Type
- Regular employee
- Full-time
Contract period
Tenured - Non-tenure track
In the event an appointee takes maternity leave, child-care leave or nursing leave, a research assistant will be provided.
Probationary period present
6 months
Work location
606-8585 Kyoto Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku
Compensation
Various systems
- Pay increase system: available
- Bonus: available
- Retirement allowances: available
- Transportation expenses: available
- Retirement age: 65 years old
Insurance
- Employees' Health Insurance: available
- Employees' Pension Insurance: available
- Worker's accident insurance: available
- Employment insurance: available
Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is prohibited on campus (excluding one designated outdoor smoking area).
Number of hired
1 person(s)
Hiring date: 2027/04/01
Starting date: 2027/04/01
Job content supplemental explanation
If there are no suitable applicants, the position could remain empty.
Application period
2026/09/11~2026/10/23 Deadline for receipt
Not later than 5:00 p.m. (JST)
Application method
Application documents (specified forms)
Attached documents
Application Form: Online Submission
(1) Curriculum Vitae (Form 1 available at the “Job posting URL” above)
Achievements and Activities: Online Submission
(2) Research Achievements (Form 2 available at the “Job posting URL” above)
Other online application forms
(3) A document stating the name of the Department applied for (Form 3 available at the “Job posting URL” above)
(4) List of successfully acquired competitive funding (if any)
Please include the full funding scheme title, duration of the grant, project research theme, amount and the name of the principal project investigator in the case of a joint application when the principal project investigator is someone other than the applicant.
(5) Five major publications (one copy of each)
Offprints and photocopies are acceptable.
(6) Description of teaching experience and future goals (approximately 1000 Japanese characters or 500 English words)
(7) Description of research activities and future plans (approximately 1000 Japanese characters or 500 English words)
(8) Names and contact details of two referees (include email addresses)
(9) Portfolio (Collection of Work and Research Case Studies)
For other application documents, please refer to the “Job posting URL” above.
Send all application file PDFs to the Labor and Personnel Department, Kyoto Institute of Technology by e-mail.
*Write "APPLICATION DOCUMENTS - ×××× Position - " in the subject line of the e-mail.
If your e-mail exceeds 10MB in size, please divide it into smaller separate files attached to multiple email messages or use a large file transfer service.
After receiving your application, you will be sent a confirmation e-mail. If you do not receive this confirmation email within a few days, please contact us.
Return of application documents
We will dispose of all application documents responsibly.
- JREC-IN Portal web application: Not available
- E-mail Application: Accept — jinji-saiyou23(at)jim.kit.ac.jp
- Please change (at) to @ and send it.
- Recruiting Institution's Web application system: Not available
URL of this job posting
https://www.kit.ac.jp/2026/09/recruitment20260911/
Selection / Notification of result
Selection
Document screening, and interview
After document screening, the shortlisted applicants might be interviewed at Kyoto Institute of Technology. The travel expenses are to be borne by applicant. If any additional submission of paperwork is required, then the costs for that will also be borne by applicant.
Notification of result
Individually by E-mail.
Contact details
Kyoto Institute of Technology
Labor and Personnel Department
Labor and Personnel Department
0757247018
jinjikikaku(at)jim.kit.ac.jp
- Please change (at) to @ and send it.
Notes
- Application documents and the information provided by them will be used only for the hiring decision purposes.
- Kyoto Institute of Technology promotes a research environment in which diverse human resources can play an active role. We comply with Japan’s Basic Law for Gender-equal Society and Basic Plan for Gender Equality, and recruit staff in alignment with Article 5, the Law of Equal Employment Opportunities for Men and Women.
- KIT faculty would also fulfill community outreach in addition to university service mentioned above.
