2026.01.09
Recruit
Tohoku University Sirius (Medical Innovation Research Institute) is seeking two assistant professors
Application details
Number of Positions Available
2 assistant professors
Location
SiRIUS Institute of Medical Research
Research fields and contents
This public recruitment seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor who will work in the laboratory led by Distinguished Professor Keisuke Goda (www.serendipity.sirius.tohoku.ac.jp). The appointee will investigate previously unexplored biological phenomena related to small extracellular vesicles (exosomes), elucidate their molecular mechanisms, and develop applications for industrial and medical use. The research will be centered on exosome engineering, a nanotechnology-driven approach that enables the modification of molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, both on the surface of and within exosomes. Leveraging this platform, the appointee will promote applications in areas such as liquid biopsy, anti-aging research, drug delivery systems, and related fields. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Distinguished Professor Keisuke Goda and conduct research within an international framework encompassing the SiRIUS Institute of Medical Research and the Graduate School of Medicine at Tohoku University; the International Center for Synchrotron Radiation Innovation Smart (SRIS) at Tohoku University; the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tokyo; and the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Goda Lab Website： https://www.serendipity.sirius.tohoku.ac.jp
Required qualifications
- Hold a Ph.D. degree at the time of appointment, or be expected to obtain a Ph.D. degree by the start date.
- Strong motivation to pioneer frontiers in life sciences and medicine related to extracellular vesicles.
- Knowledge and research experience in life sciences and medicine in a broad sense are desirable, but current field of specialization is not restricted.
Starting date
As early as possible on or after March 1, 2026 (subject to negotiation)
Term of Appointment
Employment type: Fixed-term, non–tenure-track
Term: Five years from the date of appointment
Probationary period: Six months
Work location(s)
May also conduct research at affiliated facilities, including the International Center for Synchrotron Radiation Innovation Smart (SRIS) and NanoTerasu at Tohoku University.
Supplementary explanation of compensation
Working hours:Discretionary labor system: As determined by workers based on opening time 8:30 and closing time 17:15
Terms and Conditions of Employment:
–Status: Full-time, fixed-term employee of Tohoku University (a National University Corporation)
–Salary: Salary will be determined in accordance with the employment regulations of Tohoku University.
–Salaries are paid on the 21st day of the month following the month of work.
–The amount of salary will be determined based on the appointee’s years of professional experience and other relevant factors.
–Allowances: Commuting allowance
–Leave: Annual paid leave, special leave (including refresh leave and marriage leave), sick leave, and other leave as stipulated by university regulations.
–Social Insurance: Enrollment in the Mutual Aid Association of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Employees’ Pension Insurance.
–Labor Insurance: Enrollment in workers’ accident compensation insurance and employment insurance.
Submission Deadline
Tue, February 10, 2026, 5:00pm JST
Submission Materials
(1) Curriculum Vitae (including a photograph, telephone number, and e-mail address) Public Call for Applications (see attached form*)
(2) List of Research Achievements, including publications, patents, conference presentations, invited talks, competitive research grants, and awards/disciplinary actions
(3) Summary of research to date (approximately two A4 pages)
(4) Statement of research, education, and clinical goals (approximately one A4 page)
(5) Names and contact information of two references(including affiliation, e-mail address, and telephone number)
All application documents should be compiled into a single PDF file and submitted by e-mail.
The subject line of the e-mail should read:
“Application for Assistant Professor, Goda Laboratory, Tohoku University
Application Procedure
Please submit all documents listed in items (1)–(5) above in PDF format as email attachments. If the total file size exceeds the allowable limit for email attachments, please split the documents into multiple emails as appropriate. For any documents containing personal information, please protect the PDF files with a password and provide the password separately.
Contact Information
Tohoku University Hospital Research Promotion Office Phone: +81 22-717-7145, +81 22-717-7146 E-mail: hosp-sirius_atmk_grp.tohoku.ac.jp (replace “_atmk_” with @)
Initiatives to Promote DEI
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 the guidelines is to create and 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 all university 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 parental 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/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.
Remarks
Work Location:
Within locations designated by the University. Any changes will be determined in consultation with the supervising faculty member(s).
Duties:
The appointee may be assigned reassignment, concurrent duties, or secondment as necessary. Any such changes will be determined in consultation with the supervising faculty member(s).