Summary] What is the Tenure Track System? Explanation of an important employment system for researchers!2 min read

In this issue, we will explain the tenure-track system.

This article will provide an overview of the process, and will also provide specificOpen recruitment methods, selection ratios, treatment, percentage of tenure, and issuesThe following is a detailed explanation of these and other topics.

＼The point of this article/.

What are the features of the tenure-track system?

Here is a brief summary of Japan's tenure-track system in a nutshell.

A system that provides young researchers with a completely independent research environment and funding, and if they achieve the expected results within a certain period of time, they can obtain a stable position (tenure) with no fixed term.

Feature 1: For young researchers

The subject is a Ph.Within 10 yearsHe is a young researcher at the

Feature 2: Provides an environment for independent research as a principal investigator (PI)

Tenure-track faculty are hired primarily for a five-year term and are offered

As a Principal Investigator (PI) with these supports,Independent research environmentis prepared.

Feature 3: Earn a tenure post if you pass the screening process.

After annual and mid-term evaluations during the tenure-track period, the tenure review will take place before the end of the tenure.

If you pass the examination, you can go to your own institution.without a fixed termGet a tenure postYou can do this.

Also in tenure posts at that time,A Principal Investigator (PI) research environment must be assured.The company is committed to

In obtaining a tenure post, promotion is not considered absolute.
E.g., tenure-track assistant professor -> may become a tenured assistant professor.

Background of the emergence of the tenure-track system

Many researchers who have achieved outstanding research results have done the research that is the basis for their achievements at a young age.

The following chart shows the ages of the researchers at the time of the achievements that led to the Nobel Prize.

However, the research environment for young researchers in Japan today is not necessarily good.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology also raises this issue.

Many researchers who have achieved outstanding research results conduct the research that forms the basis of their achievements at a young age. However, many of Japan's young researchers are still in a situation where an environment that enables them to work independently has not been sufficiently developed. In addition, the recent reduction of basic expenses and total personnel costs at universities and independent research institutes has led to a decrease in the number of stable positions for young researchers, making it difficult for young researchers to envision their future prospects.
Adapted from "Program for Promotion and Establishment of Tenure-Track Program (Program to Promote Utilization of Advanced Approaches)," Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan.

The tenure-track system was introduced in 2011 in response to the need for a system that secures positions for young researchers after their tenure ends so that they can freely conduct research and foresee their future career paths.

Characteristics of open positions for tenure-track faculty

The details are left to each university, but the basic guidelines are provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Characteristics of Public Selection (1): Fair and Transparent Selection

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the following are desirable in the recruitment and screening process for tenure-track faculty members.

Characteristics of Public Offering (2): fixed term of office

The term of office may vary from university to university, but a minimum of five years is preferred.

Characteristics of Open Positions (3): Tenure review before the end of the term of office.

The tenure review process includes

This is done in compliance with the following points specified by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, depending on the criteria at each university, such as

What is the appeal of the tenure-track system for researchers?

Attractiveness 1: Independent research activities

What is the greatest attraction of the tenure-track system?Allowing young researchers to freely engage in research activities as Principal Investigators (PIs)。

With funding from the government and the university, you will be provided with a self-supporting laboratory as a principal investigator PI and given the expenses for running the laboratory (e.g., investment in experimental equipment, personnel expenses, research expenses, etc.).

Actual support amount

The chart below shows the average annual research expenses of researchers hired as tenure-track faculty.

In the first year of research funding, we willApprox. 10 millionand after the second year.4-6 millionsupport has been obtained (blue).

Attractiveness (2): An environment where research activities can be prioritized is taken into consideration.

It is considered to be a

University faculty members have a variety of tasks in addition to their research activities, and the effort ratio of research activities tends to be small.

In order to create an environment in which they can concentrate on their research as much as possible, they seem to be able to be exempted from some of their non-research work.

Attractiveness 3: You can apply for a research area with a small research population.

If the research you are interested in is in an area with a small research population, it may be difficult to find an affiliation because there are no existing courses.

Particularly,Overseas lab experienceThere are many cases where there are no related courses when the "Mere Old Man" tries to return to Japan.

In order to avoid this situation, the open call for tenure-track faculty members has a wide range of research fields.

Attractiveness 4: Support system by mentor professors

The tenure-track system allows young researchers to have a laboratory as a research organizer (PI) at a treatment that would not normally be possible, but because of their limited experience, they may encounter difficulties in various aspects such as research activities and laboratory management.

To this end, faculty members who are close to the research area and have been selected will act as mentors to provide guidance and support.

Application rate for tenure-track faculty

Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology According to the Program Evaluation Report (2012), the average application rate at the 21 institutions in place at the time was an average of20 timesIt is stated that the number of employees exceeded

In addition, the R2 year announcement by the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Waseda University showed that in response to the H24-27 openings for tenure-track faculty (10 total), there was a variation by department, but 2-50 applicants for each opening (average18.4 times(The application was received by the company. (TheWaseda University Tenure Track Promotion and Establishment Project: 5 Years of Activity Results Slide Report(R2 March)）

tenure review

Each university has its own process for tenure review and the review itself, but here is a general outline of the process.

Steps to Screening

The flow of the tenure-track period varies from university to university, so please check with your university as appropriate.

Contents of Tenure Screening

Each university has its own set of evaluation criteria, which include the following

And these reviews are conducted in a transparent manner, as follows

Pass rate for tenure review

I looked for some material on the percentage of tenure that I was interested in and found it, although it is a bit old.

The pass rate for tenure review is approximately 80%.

(The figure above does not specify the number of people, but on another page it says "Tenure positions hired at own institution: 184 (/287)")

Other materials from Waseda University's School of Science and Engineering released in the R2 academic year are also introduced here, although the number of students is smaller.

Problems (issues) of the tenure-track system

The following problems (issues) emerged during MEXT's interviews with five institutions (University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Keio University, and Waseda University)(Implementation period: end of October to beginning of November 2014)

summary

In this issue, we summarize the tenure-track system.

It will be a system with many advantages for researchers, such as

I look forward to seeing you again in another article.