The National Institute of Polar Research has announced two job openings aimed at bolstering operations related to Arctic research, including positions for both part-time specialized staff and administrative assistants.
The search for candidates begins with the specialized staff role, which entails managing and operating international observation hubs as well as supporting various Arctic research projects. The role is set at the Arctic Research Center, located at 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, with the earliest possible start date being April 1, 2025. This initial engagement is for 3 months and could be extended based on job performance and situational factors, potentially lasting up to 3 years from the hire date with annual renewals. The staff is expected to possess at least a university degree or equivalent qualification, and must be capable of effectively communicating with international research institutions, ideally demonstrating English proficiency through certification. Familiarity with software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is also necessary for the position.
The weekly schedule comprises five days (Monday through Friday), tallying 7 hours and 45 minutes of work each day, with designated breaks included. While weekends and national holidays are off, there may be circumstances requiring overtime or work on off days. The salary is structured between 241,000 yen to 298,000 yen per month, based on factors such as education and experience. Workers will also receive applicable benefits such as commuting allowances and overtime pay, alongside mandatory enrollment in health insurance and pension systems as stipulated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Looking closely at the administrative assistant role, it seeks one candidate who will take part-time duties to assist with procurement and travel applications relating to Arctic research objectives. This position will likewise be based at the National Institute of Polar Research and will feature similar starting conditions on or around April 1, 2025. The agreement for this role will also kick off with 3 months of employment, potentially extending dependent on the hiring situation and performance metrics through to 2026. The appointed assistant will coordinate alongside faculty and existing staff to efficiently manage administrative task streams. They will be tasked with various responsibilities revolving around the operation of Arctic research but primarily working on document preparation, data management, and financial input through common software tools.
The schedule for this part-time role reflects three days of work each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The hours total 6 hours each day from 9:15 AM to 4:00 PM, integrating short breaks. Just like the specialized staff role, this position might also entail overtime or weekend work as required. For those selected, hourly compensation will range between 1,223 yen and 1,534 yen, determined by previous professional education and experience. Here also, applicable commuting and overtime allowances are included.
The application process is open for interested candidates, who must submit their application documents comprising resumes—with attached photographs and email addresses—along with statements detailing work experience and enthusiasm for the roles. These must be sent to the institutions listed contact details by the official deadlines: 16:00 on March 7, 2025, for the specialized staff position, and 16:00 on March 14, 2025, for the administrative assistant role. The National Institute of Polar Research has laid out avenues for inquiries related to these job listings to facilitate potential candidates. Interested applicants can communicate via telephone at 042-512-0187 for the specialized staff and 042-512-0773 for the administrative assistant, or through their respective email addresses ([email protected]).
With these important recruitment steps, the National Institute of Polar Research is aiming to expand its support for ambitious scientific explorations and research advancements concerning the Arctic region, encouraging individuals to apply for opportunities to be part of these efforts.