Academic Collaborations Coordinator – Domestic
Institutional-level research collaboration, especially with domestic scientific research universities, has been identified as a strategic imperative for OIST by the University’s top-level executives, the Cabinet Office, and external and internal audit and evaluation teams. As OIST has evolved and direct Japanese government funding has tightened, such collaborations have become predicates for successful competition for external funding, in particular teamed applications for large center grants. One of the successful awards is J-PEAKS. Such grants are becoming progressively more essential to the continuation of the high-trust funding system that has allowed OIST to rise so quickly to prominence among Japanese scientific research institutions.
The Office of the Dean of Research has developed a rich portfolio of institutional-level collaborative relationships. These relationships are vital to execute programs and activities under the J-PEAKS framework successfully.
The Academic Collaborations Coordinator will be an integral part of the Academic Partnership Section, reporting directly to the senior manager of Academic Partnerships. With a primary focus on leveraging resources from the J-PEAKS grant, this position is dedicated to fostering institutional-level research collaborations, particularly with domestic scientific research universities. The coordinator will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of programs and activities under the J-PEAKS framework, contributing to OIST's strategic goals in research and funding acquisition.
The position will be based in Okinawa and will report to the senior manager of the Academic Partnership Section.
This position is funded by the J-PEAKS Grant, which was approved by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University was established in 2011 to contribute to the development of science and technology worldwide and to serve as a hub of innovation in Okinawa. OIST is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan which offers a 5-year PhD program and brings together outstanding researchers from across the country and across disciplines to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking a beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding. To facilitate multidisciplinary research, there are no academic departments. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration.
English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research, and our unwavering commitment to scientific and technological innovation is dedicated to generating progress that will fuel Okinawa's economic growth.
- Report activities and projects conducted within the J-PEAKS framework to the senior manager of the Academic Partnership Section.
- Plan, initiate, cultivate, and leverage OIST’s institutional-level research partnerships, with a special emphasis on collaborative partner universities of J-PEAKS.
- Communicate with partner institutions to develop collaborative programs, events, and projects appropriate to the developmental stage of the institutional relationship.
- Solicit cooperation and active participation from various stakeholders, including PIs, researchers, executives, students, and administrators, to ensure program success.
- Plan, organize, promote, and execute workshops, symposia, and other activities in support of institutional-level partnerships.
- Develop and execute an operating budget allocated for J-PEAKS projects.
- Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports concerning institutional-level collaborative activities.
- Collaborate with other sections and elements of OIST to leverage strategic partnerships for external funding applications, including large center grants.
- Operate internal grant systems, such as SHINKA, with the Grants section to facilitate and foster individual research collaborations within the scope of institutional-level collaborative activities.
- Promote programs internally to faculty, researchers, and the OIST community and mobilize communication resources within partner institutions to promote and report on their collaborations with OIST.
- Assist with planning and application for large grants to fund programs and other activities at OIST.
- Work with the Graduate School to develop internships and other student-focused programs arising from institutional-level collaborative relationships.
- Consolidate and coordinate collaborative activities across other divisions of OIST to support the duties and plans of the Dean of Research.
- Fulfill any other duties necessary to ensure a vibrant portfolio of institutional-level collaborative relationships.
(Required)
- Proven success in simultaneous multi-project management.
- Budget management, review, and execution experience.
- Ability to pursue processes and procedures until issues are resolved from a mid- to long-term perspective.
- Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a diverse team.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in Japanese and English.
- Interpersonal skills for effective interaction with researchers, administrators, and executives within OIST and its strategic partner institutions.
- Deep awareness and sensitivity to the organizational dynamics in counterpart institutions to facilitate smooth and practical interaction between institutions at all levels.
(Preferred)
- Bachelor's Degree with significant administrative experience.
- Experience organizing collaborative workshops and symposia.
- Experience in research university administration.
- Demonstrated ability to task-organize, drawing in external stakeholders and resources as required by developing situations.
Expected Annual Salary: 3,900,000 - 7,300,000 yen
*This amount represents the expected annual salary range for this position, which will be determined based on your experience and skills in accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations.
Benefits:
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Access to Child Development Center
- Access to Schooling Options
- Language Education
- Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
- Remote Work system
- Curriculum vitae in English required. Japanese version required only for Applicants whose native language is Japanese.
* Please be sure to indicate where you first saw the job advertisement.
- OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff.
- Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications.
- Recruiting Organization: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation
- Prevention of Passive Smoking: No smoking indoors
- Please view OIST policy for rules on external professional activities
- Further details about the University can be viewed on the OIST website www.oist.jp.
Full-time, fixed term appointment for 2 years. Contract initially with 3 month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed for up to 5 years from the date of initial appointment. However, the term of the contract may be subject to adjustment based on the amount of work remaining and progress of work assigned at the termination of this Agreement, performance evaluation, conduct, and behavior of the Employee, and OIST’s financial and other circumstances.
9:00 – 17:30
Flextime (core time 10:00-15:00) 7.5hrs per day (Multiplied by prescribed working days per month)
Break: 12:00 – 13:00
Holidays:
Saturday, Sunday, National holidays, and Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3)
Leave:
Annual Paid Holidays, Summer Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave
Overtime work hours:
Monthly average: 10 hours