Associate Research Scholar

The Weatherhead East Asian Institute (WEAI) is a hub for studying modern and contemporary East, Southeast, and Inner Asia at Columbia University. It is an integrated center for research and teaching. The Institute brings together faculty, research scholars, and students from across the university and advances knowledge and understanding of the region through academics, research programs, renowned publications series, and a robust calendar of public events.

The Institute seeks an Associate Research Scholar to contribute to a new three-year grant-funded research project supported by Columbia University and the Unson Foundation, with the goal of developing a research program to advance long-term human, economic, and planetary health and wellbeing for future generations through education, measurement, research and engagement. The position will begin on July 1, 2025. The initial term of appointment is one academic year with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years, contingent on satisfactory performance and funding.

In this role, the incumbent will:

1. 
   

   Design, and serve as Director for a new four-week research program, administered by Columbia University, located in Itoshima Japan, where faculty and students will conduct research and learn together in a holistic, integrated way, engaging with environment, society, and local stakeholders;

   
   
2. 
   

   Conduct collaborative research alongside Columbia Postdoctoral Research Scholars to support multi-disciplinary scholarship on an array of project-related disciplines including ecology, climate science, sustainable development, climate finance, Japanese history and anthropology;

   
   
3. 
   

   Track and analyze qualitative and quantitative environmental, historical, anthropological, and economic data, such as rainfall volumes, ethnographic interviews, global wellbeing indices, etc., to support research and publish these findings for public consumption;

   
   
4. 
   

   Contribute to the conceptualization, management, and implementation of global seeding taskforce to scale research concept to other locations throughout Asia.

   
   

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D.
• Qualifications and contributions to their field of research equivalent to that of an assistant professor

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to a Ph.D. the incumbent should have a substantial research background; teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level; a record of publications; a track record of working in Japan; and knowledge of and experience with research communities in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. Preference will be given to candidates who speak Japanese, and the incumbent must have the ability to read and write Japanese at a basic level in order to conduct research using primary source materials.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.