Faculty Positions in Design at The University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo (UTokyo), Japan’s leading university, is a globally recognized institution at the forefront of research, education, and international collaboration. With a comprehensive range of disciplines, UTokyo drives innovation and nurtures future leaders. Please visit the University of Tokyo website for further details. 

UTokyo College of Design

In September 2027, the University of Tokyo will launch UTokyo College of Design (UTokyo Design) — a bold new educational program set to redefine how design shapes the future. This is an innovative integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s program developed under the strong leadership of President Fujii in collaboration with all the university organizations. 

The University of Tokyo conceptualizes design as a comprehensive and evolving discipline, one that transcends conventional understandings of industrial and artistic design to encompass the creation of new values, systems, and innovative processes for addressing complex social challenges.

Today, the world is facing increasingly complex challenges – climate change, aging populations, digital transformations, and many others. A single discipline cannot solve these challenges. UTokyo College of Design will bring together academic knowledge from diverse fields, integrate them using design approaches, tackle complex social issues, and empower a new generation who can positively impact the world. Students will learn design not just as a skill, but as a way of thinking, and become leaders who will contribute to innovation and problem-solving in many fields. 

The graduates will be committed to driving meaningful change for future society across diverse fields, such as creating new businesses, creating innovative products and services, or proposing new social systems and policies in national or international settings, and in many other ways. 

This pioneering program will serve as a bold new platform for cultivating visionary leaders who can creatively address the complex challenges of our rapidly changing world. Please visit the website for more information. [https://design.adm.u-tokyo.ac.jp/]  

UTokyo is seeking talented and passionate educators from around the world to be part of the founding faculty of the College of Design. Currently, we are seeking faculty members from across a range of roles: From emerging early-career scholars or practitioners to more established and experienced educators. We are hoping to hire approximately 20 new members through this call. Successful candidates should demonstrate enthusiasm for design education, a willingness to reside in Japan, and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams with diverse cultural backgrounds, professional experiences, and disciplinary approaches. 

Note: UTokyo College of Design is currently in the process of submitting a plan to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for approval, and that the employment is contingent upon MEXT approval of the project (expected in the fall of 2026).

* We are looking for two categories of faculty members: those with design expertise and those who can support Interdisciplinary Perspectives (IP). IP is the UTokyo Design program’s unique curriculum of classes related to faculty from across the university (from agriculture, medicine, law, engineering, humanities, science, and more). 

Please click the ‘Apply’ button to view the application details (job description, salary range, employment conditions, required application documents and submission format, etc.). 

Closing date for applications: 

There will be approximately 3 rounds of selection. The call will close once the positions are filled. We encourage early applications. The selection process will consist of a document screening and interviews. Only those who are selected will be contacted. 

1st round

Deadline: June 30, 2025 (JST)

Document screening and interviews: July – Aug

2nd round:

Deadline: August 29, 2025 (JST)

Document screening and interviews: Sept – Oct

3rd round

Deadline: Oct 31, 2025 (JST)

Document screening, interviews: Nov- Dec 

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

Contact

Dr. Takumi Moriyama, Chair of the UTokyo College of Design Preparatory Committee.

Email:  hr-utokyodesign.adm@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp