Project Assistant Professor (Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems), Division of Science, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) aims to promote the development of astronomy, astrophysics, and the related fields of science. The Division of Science (DoS) has been conducting interdisciplinary research that transcends the boundaries of fields such as theoretical astronomy, multi-wavelength observations, and multi-messenger astronomy, with the goal of expanding the horizons of astronomical knowledge and achieving world-leading astronomical results. The DoS aims to strategically develop new fields of growth in natural science for further advancement of astronomy. The formation and evolution of planetary systems, including the Solar System and exoplanetary systems, have been identified as one of the Division’s key strategic research areas.

Recent observational advances from facilities such as ALMA, Subaru Telescope, and JWST, together with forthcoming missions and observatories such as Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), Roman Space Telescope, and Ariel, are rapidly transforming our understanding of planetary systems. These observations provide unprecedented constraints on protoplanetary disks, planetary system architectures, and planetary atmospheres. To fully exploit these data, it is essential to develop advanced theoretical models and numerical simulations that coherently describe a wide range of physical processes, from dust and gas evolution and planetesimal formation to planetary growth, orbital evolution, and atmospheric formation and loss.

The DoS seeks a talented researcher at the level of a Project Assistant Professor to promote theory-driven research on the formation and evolution of planetary systems and to provide scientific advice on future plans for astronomy research in Japan. The successful candidate is expected to conduct original theoretical and/or numerical studies, actively incorporate observational results, advance research on the formation and evolution of planetary systems, utilize NAOJ facilities [e.g., the Center for Computational Astrophysics (CfCA) ATERUI III], collaborate with researchers within the DoS and across NAOJ, and foster collaboration with research groups and researchers in domestic/international universities and institutes to strengthen Japan’s international leadership in planetary science.