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.

All applications must be made through Columbia's Academic Search and Recruiting system (Interfolio/ASR).

Please upload the following required materials: a 1-2 page statement of research interests, CV, copies of (or links to) one or two representative publications or preprints and contact information for at least two references who may be asked to provide a letter of recommendation at a later date.  Applications received by May 31, 2025 will receive full consideration.

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.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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