Professor (Design Related)

Salary: Approximate range JPY 950,000 to JPY 1,600,000 per month

Start Date: On or after 1 December 2026

The Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) at the University of Tokyo invites applications for a Professor in design-related research and education. The successful candidate will join the Design-Led X Platform (DLX) and take a strategic and operational leadership role in DLX Design Lab and DLX Design Academy.  

The University of Tokyo is Japan’s leading university and a global centre of excellence in education and research. Founded in 1877, UTokyo brings together world-class faculty with a strong international outlook, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation to address society’s most pressing challenges.  

IIS is one of UTokyo’s largest research institutes, bringing together more than 120 laboratories across engineering, technology, and science. Based at the Komaba and Kashiwa Research Campuses, IIS works closely with industry and government to deliver cutting-edge solutions with global impact.  

DLX is UTokyo’s international platform for design-led innovation. Through DLX Design Lab, DLX Design Academy, and a range of public-facing activities, DLX connects design with science, engineering, business, governance, and society. Its mission is to generate transformative ideas, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and educate the next generation of creative leaders.  

We invite you to apply if you have a strong background in design, particularly as a product designer or related designer, together with an academic career background. We are especially interested in candidates who can lead interdisciplinary design-led research, develop innovative educational programmes, and strengthen DLX as a vibrant, international environment for research, creativity, and collaboration.  

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for DLX’s annual programme of research, education, and public engagement, especially through DLX Design Lab and DLX Design Academy. You will build strong collaborations with research laboratories across IIS and the wider University of Tokyo, while also developing partnerships with industry, government, academia, and other external organisations.  

You will also lead educational activities through DLX Design Academy, developing impactful programmes, workshops, seminars, and other learning opportunities. The role includes delivering lectures, seminars, and workshops for undergraduate and/or graduate students, supervising graduate or doctoral students, and supporting the growth of early-career researchers, students, and practitioners.  

Applicants should have a doctoral degree, PhD, or equivalent professional/academic achievement in Design or a related discipline. You should also have a proven track record in academic management or design leadership, experience leading interdisciplinary projects, teams, laboratories, or organisations, and demonstrated excellence in teaching and student supervision.  

We are looking for a candidate with excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills; evidence of successful collaboration across disciplines and with external partners; a strong international outlook and network; and a commitment to advancing the mission and vision of the Design-Led X Platform. Proficiency in English and Japanese language desirable but not required.

The appointment is a full-time, permanent position based at IIS, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo. Benefits include paid annual leave, special leave, commuting allowance, and social insurance in accordance with university regulations.  

The University of Tokyo promotes gender equality and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.

For full details and application procedure please click the 'Apply' button

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