Tenure-track fixed-term research fellow in resource circulation dynamics and circular economy systems National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan

The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Japan is recruiting a tenure-track fixed-term research fellow / researcher in resource circulation dynamics, circular economy systems, waste treatment systems, environmental policy, and environmental economics. The position is centered on system evaluation and optimization of domestic and international resource recycling and waste treatment systems, with a strong emphasis on social implementation and institutional design.

The successful candidate will contribute to research on advanced and rational resource recycling policy systems, the flow and stock of recycled resources and waste, and the design of systems that support a circular economy. The post also connects to broader societal challenges such as population decline, aging, single-person households, climate-change-related disaster risk, and the sustainability of waste treatment services. Future work may extend to plastics, solar panels, storage batteries, and other materials important for decarbonization and circular economy transitions.

This role is embedded in NIES’s Resource Recycling Area and the institute’s “System Change Acceleration Research Program.” The institute expects the researcher to help develop resource circulation and waste treatment systems that support both a decarbonized society and nature restoration, and to consider new technologies and rational safety management of chemical substances in close collaboration with risk management and technology development researchers.

Eligibility highlights: a doctoral degree or equivalent by the start date; strong expertise in industrial ecology, environmental systems, or environmental economics; multiple first-author papers in international journals; Japanese ability equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher; and the ability to independently drive the research agenda.

Employment details: full-time fixed-term tenure-track appointment, with annual income of approximately 7–10 million yen depending on background and experience. The appointment starts on 2027-04-01, with a maximum term through 2032-03-31 for the 2027 start date. A permanent position may be offered if performance is excellent. The workplace is in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

Application window: 2026-09-14 to 2026-11-27 (must arrive by deadline). Applicants should review the PDF guidelines, prepare documents (1)–(5), and contact the personnel office by 2026-11-11 17:00 for instructions on electronic submission. Recommendation letters must be sent directly by referees.