The Department of Strategic Design, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, invites applications for the following faculty position.
1. Position: Associate Professor (Business Design)
2. Institution: Kyushu University, National University Corporation (https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/)
3. Department: Department of Strategic Design, Faculty of Design https://www.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/home/
4. Number of Positions: One Associate Professor
5. Courses to Be Taught
Undergraduate (School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation)
ISI Fundamental Courses; Approach Subjects; Issue-based Subjects; Degree Project (Graduation Research); and other courses (including shared teaching responsibilities).
Graduate (Strategic Design Course, Department of Design)
Service Ecosystem Design; Lean Startup 1–4; Studio Project; SD Advanced Project I–IV; Special Research on Design I–IV; and other courses (including shared teaching responsibilities).
6. Place of Work
Kyushu University, Ohashi Campus
4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan
(Scope of possible changes) Locations designated by the University.
Note: Depending on the course, classes may be held at other campuses, including Ito Campus.
7. Term of Employment
No fixed term.
A probationary period of three months applies.
8. Expected Start Date
As soon as possible on or after July 1, 2027.
9. Qualifications
Applicants must have a strong interest in and understanding of design (Geijutsu Kogaku) and be capable of education and research while meeting the following conditions:
1) Have a record of research achievements or professional experience in business design.
2) Have experience planning, promoting, or managing interdisciplinary projects involving design.
3) Hold a doctoral degree or have equivalent achievements.
Applicants without a doctoral degree must be expected to obtain one within a few years after appointment.
4) A track record of securing competitive external research funding, such as Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI), is desirable.
5) Be capable of teaching and supervising research in both Japanese and English.
6) Be able to participate cooperatively in education, research, administration, and management at the School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation and the Graduate School and Faculty of Design.
7) Be able to take primary responsibility for planning and managing collaborative activities with Kyushu University Business School (QBS) and the Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center of Kyushu University (QREC).
10. Employment Conditions
1) Duties:
Education, research, and administrative and management duties at the School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation and the Graduate School and Faculty of Design.
(Scope of possible changes) Duties designated by the University.
2) Salary:
The annual salary system introduced on April 1, 2020, applies.
The annual salary will be determined in accordance with University regulations, taking into account experience and other factors.
3) Working hours, breaks, and overtime:
Subject to agreement, the discretionary labor system for professional work applies, under which employees are deemed to have worked 7 hours and 45 minutes per day.
4) Holidays:
Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the year-end/New Year holidays (December 29–January 3).
5) Insurance:
Employment insurance, workers’ accident compensation insurance, health insurance, and employees’ pension insurance.
6) Other conditions:
Commuting by car is permitted if the one-way commuting distance is at least 4 km. Smoking is prohibited throughout the campus premises.
7) Consultation Desk for Sexual Harassment During Job Applications:
Kyushu University Office for the Promotion of Harassment Prevention
Tel: +81-92-802-6091
Email: syjsoudan@jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp
11. Application Documents: Prepare and submit the following documents.
For items 1–8, use the designated forms available at the following URL:
https://storage.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp/public/r3qQwA4J2UtAL4ABiXNo8QhaESk0dmLIpxsUKdcvrxsw
1) Curriculum vitae
2) Educational and research achievements
3) Achievements related to research supervision
4) Educational activities
5) Activities in academic societies in Japan and abroad
6) Social and community activities
7) Competitive research funding obtained (as principal investigator), including KAKENHI, joint research, and commissioned research
8) Competitive research funding obtained (as co-investigator), including KAKENHI, joint research, and commissioned research
9) Reprints of major publications (up to five papers, one copy of each; photocopies accepted)
10) Names, affiliations, and contact details of at least two persons who can provide references for the applicant (free format)
11) Summary of research conducted to date (free format; approximately 1,000 words, A4 format)
12) Statement of aspirations for education and research in design (free format; approximately 1,000 words, A4 format)
Submit all application documents through the following Proself upload destination.
Upload URL:
https://archive.iii.kyushu-u.ac.jp/public/Ls6GgKXJHfJ_iwK2gpIrlJI4XPHXmvxQNjSMRu3zlmr5
• Place all application documents in a single folder and upload the entire folder.
• Name the folder after the applicant.
• Submit documents in PDF format wherever possible.
• Complete the upload by the application deadline.
• After uploading, email the contact below to confirm submission, using the subject line “Kyushu University – Faculty Application (Business Design).”
• An acknowledgment will be sent within three days of receipt of the submission confirmation email.
If no reply is received, contact the address below.
• Personal information contained in application documents and materials will be used solely for this faculty selection process.
12. Submission Contact and Inquiries
Faculty of Design, Kyushu University
Professor Ryoichi Tamura, Head, Department of Strategic Design
Email: tamura@design.kyushu-u.ac.jp
13. Application Period
November 2, 2026, to January 12, 2027 (must be received by 5:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time).
14. Selection Process: Document Screening
Selection will be based on the submitted application documents.
Interviews may be conducted during the selection process. Applicants are responsible for their own travel and related expenses.
Additional Information
• Kyushu University selects faculty members in accordance with the principles of the Basic Act for a Gender-Equal Society (Act No. 78 of 1999). (Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality: https://danjyo.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/)
• Pursuant to Article 8 of the Act on Securing, Etc. of Equal Opportunity and Treatment between Men and Women in Employment (special measures concerning female workers), where candidates are considered equivalent in teaching and research abilities and achievements, preference will be given to female candidates as an affirmative measure to address the substantially low proportion of female faculty members.
• To promote internationalization, Kyushu University encourages applications from non-Japanese nationals. Faculty members may be required to teach courses in English regardless of nationality.
• Kyushu University selects faculty and staff in accordance with the principles of the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities (Act No. 84 of 1970), the Act on Employment Promotion etc. of Persons with Disabilities (Act No. 123 of 1960), and the Act for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Act No. 65 of 2013).
• Kyushu University provides support to improve the research environment for faculty members and researchers.
Support for obtaining research funding:
– Research funding acquisition support programs
– International research funding acquisition support, etc.
Support primarily for early-career researchers:
– Research Start Program
– Shared-use systems for research instruments and facilities, etc.
Support for continuing research through life events such as childbirth and childcare:
– On-campus childcare facilities (Himawari Nursery School and Takenoko Nursery School)
– Babysitting service subsidies, etc.
For other support measures and details of these programs, please see the Kyushu University website.
Kyushu University website > About Kyushu University > Faculty and Staff Recruitment Information > Index of Researcher Support Programs
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/university/career/support
• Applicants who have previously been subject to disciplinary action or similar measures for sexual violence, including sexual harassment against students, must disclose the details of the action and the specific reasons for it in their curriculum vitae or other application documents.
False statements may result in cancellation of appointment or disciplinary action.