Assistant Professor, Astrobiology Center (ABC), National Institutes of Natural Sciences

Job Description:

ABC, founded in 2015 under Japan’s National Institutes of Natural Sciences, combines astronomy and biology through three programs: exoplanet discovery and characterization, development of advanced observation instruments, and studies of biological processes that could produce detectable biosignatures. As next-generation telescopes improve the search for life beyond Earth, this interdisciplinary approach has become increasingly important.

With exoplanet science moving from discovery to characterization, ABC supports major international missions such as PLATO, Roman, and Ariel. From the late 2020s through the 2030s, it aims to measure the frequency of Earth-like planets in habitable zones (ηEarth) combining different observational methods. ABC is also developing technologies and simulations to prepare for future missions such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which could directly image and analyze potentially habitable planets in the 2040s.

ABC invites applications from internationally recognized researchers who can make leading contributions to the detection and characterization of exoplanets, including relevant theoretical research, through ongoing or near-term international missions, such as PLATO, Roman, and Ariel. ABC particularly welcomes applications from researchers who can propose novel science cases through observational simulations and related studies, and who can play a central role in next-generation missions planned for the 2030s and 2040s. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to one or more of the above initiatives within the Exo-Planet Search Project Office, and to advance astrobiology through next-generation exoplanet observations and theory. The candidate will also be required to promote interdisciplinary collaboration with the other project offices. In addition, ABC is seeking a researcher who will promote this interdisciplinary field of astrobiology through multi-disciplinary collaboration. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the training and mentoring of early-career researchers, including graduate students affiliated with ABC.