FAQ for Applicants

Q1. I have applied before, can I apply again?
Also, when do those who are eligible to apply receive their Ph.D.?

A1. You can apply as many times as you like within 3 years after obtaining your doctorate at the time of employment.

Ex,
Those hired in April 2025 are those who obtained or expect to obtain a doctoral degree between April 2022 and March 2025.

However, if the doctoral degree is not obtained by the date of employment, the student will not be hired.

Also, please make sure to use the latest application form when applying. (This year’s application form has been changed from last year’s.)

Q2. Is the term of office two years from the date of appointment?

A2. Your term of office is from the time you are appointed until the end of the next fiscal year.

Ex,
The term of office for those hired in April 2025 will expire at the end of March 2027.

Q3. When will I know the results of my application?

A3. Regardless of acceptance or rejection, all applicants will be notified approximately two months prior to the date of employment.

Ex,
In the case of employment in April 2025, notification is scheduled to be made in early February 2025.

Q4. In the Form 1 (Curriculum Vitae) should I list the Doctoral Fellowship?

A4. Please list only in the Awards (Scholarships and Doctoral Fellowships) section.
It is not necessary to list them in the Employment History or Grants received sections.

Q5. Is it OK to write the application documents in English?

A5. There is an English version of the guideline and forms, so you can use the forms and fill in everything in English. If you are good at Japanese, you can write in Japanese in Japanese forms.

Also, please make sure to use the latest application form when applying. (This year’s application form has been changed from last year’s.)

Q6. Can I include figures in my application forms?

A6. You may include figures in Forms 3 and 4. The content will not be counted in the word count.

Q7. Can people who have not participated in the doctoral fellowship apply?

A7. Yes, those who have not participated in the doctoral fellowship may apply.

Q8. Are Ambitious Special Assistant Professors Tenure-Track faculty members?

A8. No. The Ambitious Special Assistant Professor system is not a Tenure-Track system. It is a non-renewable specially appointed assistant professor. After your term of office, you need to develop your own career by using your achievements during your term of office as a stepping stone.

Q9. Does the Ambitious Special Assistant Professor have a laboratory at the Creative Research Institution?

A9. No.

Although the Ambitious Special assistant professors belong to the Creative Research Institution, research activities will be conducted at a laboratory that has given its consent to the applicant. You must obtain the consent of the representative faculty member of the laboratory where you wish to conduct research activities before applying.

Q10. Can I teach classes as part of my “teaching and research” duties?

A10. Ambitious Special Assistant Professors cannot teach classes. In order to secure the research effort, it is possible for you to assist in teaching graduation, master’s, and doctoral research, but you will not be assigned as a primary or secondary supervisor.

Q11. What are some specific examples of planning and management related to the doctoral fellowship and graduate education programs?

A11. The Ambitious Special assistant professors will be in charge of mentoring graduate students and coordinating mentor faculty members for the DX Doctoral Fellowship. The Ambitious Special assistant professors is also responsible for reviewing research grant applications for graduate students.

Q12. What are the required programs for the Ambitious Special Assistant Professors?

A12. For example, you will participate in the planning and operation of the graduate school program at the Institute for the Advancement of Graduate Education, the planning and operation of the doctoral fellowship program, and the following programs offered by the Creation Research Institution, where you will acquire abilities in your field of specialization and others. The Ambitious Special Assistant Professors will also participate in the following programs offered by the Creation Research Institution.

Ex,
– Researchers’ Networking Meetings
– SDGs seminars for researchers
– Seminars related to social implementation using research results

Q13. What kind of career design is possible after the term of office as the Ambitious Special Assistant Professor?

A13. After your term as a special assistant professor, you may wish to pursue a career in academia, but you may also choose to apply your research in the private company. For example, you may use the term as a period to take on a research project that expands your research field and broaden the scope of paid positions you can apply for in the future, or you may use the term as a period to slide into research for practical application of your research to benefit society in a private company or a company you have started.