Call for Candidates

Associate Professor, Social Science Publication Initiative

Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo


Position

The Institute of Social Science (ISS), University of Tokyo, is seeking suitably qualified candidates for the post of Associate Professor, Social Science Publication Initiative. The appointment will commence on April 1, 2019 for a term of three years, with the possibility of an additional two-year extension; however, should the candidate reach 65 during either period, the appointment expires at the end of that academic year.



Benefits of the Job

The ISS is a research body, and the successful candidate will not be required to teach or to attend meetings other than the monthly meetings of the faculty and of the SSJJ editorial board. The candidate may take on a limited amount of teaching outside the Institute if desired, subject to the (semi-automatic) approval of the ISS faculty meeting. The candidate will receive the same research benefits as other faculty at the Institute of Social Science, including travel allowance, photocopying allowance and personal computer. The candidate will also be eligible for the full range of housing, health insurance and pension benefits provided by the University of Tokyo. Salary will depend on the age, years of professional experience, qualifications, and family circumstances of the successful candidate.



Duties

The position has three components. First, from a base at the ISS, the successful candidate will conduct her/his own research and publication in one or more of the social sciences, including economics, sociology, law, anthropology, political science, and contemporary history. Second, the candidate will assist staff and researchers (including post-doctoral fellows) at the University of Tokyo to publish English-language versions of their social science research in leading university presses or commercial presses of equivalent distinction. This assistance may include the following:

1) Attend talks and presentations to identify promising projects

2) Conduct seminars on navigating the publication process

3) Respond to inquiries

4) Provide advice on editing and revision

5) Shepherd promising projects from initial proposals to signed contracts and ultimate publication.

Finally, within the confines of the above duties, the successful candidate will assist in the administration and publication of Social Science Japan Journal (SSJJ), a fully-refereed, SSCI-listed international journal edited at ISS and published by Oxford University Press.



Further information:

For further information on the Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo, please see the ISS homepage: http://www.iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp/. Social Science Japan Journal (SSJJ) is a semi-annual journal of social sciences relating to Japan. It was launched in 1998 and is now in its 21st year of publication. For further information on SSJJ, please see the OUP website: https://academic.oup.com/ssjj



Qualifications

1) PhD or equivalent, preferably in a social science discipline

2) Experience in editing or publishing academic books and/or articles (desirable)

3) Native or near-native command of academic English

4) Ability to communicate freely in spoken and written Japanese



Materials for submission

1) CV, including current email address and list of academic publications

2) Copies of two representative works

3) Statement of motivation and suitability for the position, including brief description of experience in negotiations and interactions with academic publishers (1-2 pages on A4 or letter-sized paper)

4) Strategies and specific plans for increasing the prospects of acceptance by a university or leading commercial press of a book proposal (1-2 pages on A4 or letter-sized paper)

5) 1-2 letters of recommendation (optional)

Note: Materials may be submitted in English or Japanese. Materials will not be returned; any materials with sensitive personal information will be disposed of appropriately.



Deadline for applications

All required materials must arrive by Friday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m. (Tokyo time).



Address

1. Email:

a. Address: publication_initiative@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp <mailto:publication_initiative@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp>

b. Subject line: "Application materials for Associate Professor, Social Science Publication Initiative"

c. Confirmation: Upon receipt of an application file we will send a confirmation message. If you do not receive a confirmation to your application, please contact us.

2. Postal mail (in traceable form such as EMS or Fedex):

General Affairs Team

Institute of Social Science, the University of Tokyo

7-3-1 Hongō

Bunkyō-ku

Tokyo 113-0033

Japan

Note: Please mail all materials in a single package identified as "Application materials for Associate Professor, Social Science Publication Initiative"



Selection

Selection will be based on a review of application materials and an interview. Travel expenses cannot be paid for interviews. However, short-listed candidates coming from outside the Tokyo area should consult the search committee about alternative arrangements.