Recruitment of full-time Research Fellow (Empirical Study on the Effects of Regional and City Master Plans)

Through policy-oriented academic research, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development (JICA Ogata Research Institute) intends to enhance the effectiveness of development cooperation in developing countries and contribute to formulation of the international development cooperation trend. Applicants to this post are expected to contribute to the promotion of JICA Ogata Research Institute research projects in collaboration with other researchers and practitioners.

[About JICA Ogata Research Insutitute]
・JICA Ogata Research Insutitute website
・About Us

JICA has supported the formulation of various master plans in numerous cities and regions in developing countries—including urban master plans, urban transport master plans, regional development master plans, corridor development master plans, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as “master plans”). Through these efforts, JICA aims to promote desirable urban and regional spatial development and realize new opportunities and prosperity generated by urbanization. Moreover, through the planning process itself, JICA has sought to achieve sustainable and autonomous urban and regional management by encouraging the participation of a wide range of stakeholders.

On the other hand, causal evaluation of the economic and social outcomes generated by master plan formulation is not straigth-forward. Past ex-post evaluations have primarily focused on indicators such as the extent to which master plans have been adopted and the implementation status of proposed individual projects. In addition, improvements in the quality of urban and regional management through stakeholder participation have not necessarily been explicitly examined.

Against this background, the Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Cluster of JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, is planning to launch a research project aimed at developing more rigorous methodologies and conducting empirical analyses to assess the impacts of master plans. At present, the following analytical approaches are under consideration:

Approach 1:
Construct a long-term panel dataset covering major cities in developing countries, including information on master plan formulation as well as city-level economic, social, and spatial indicators. Using quasi-experimental methods such as Difference-in-Differences, estimate the effects of master plan implementation and associated planning approaches.

Approach 2:
For selected cities or regions where master plan support has been implemented, develop a Quantitative Spatial Equilibrium Model that describes the urban economic equilibrium under the infrastructure and institutional arrangements realized based on the master plan (i.e., the realized scenario). Then, construct a counterfactual scenario in which such measures were not implemented, and quantitatively evaluate policy impacts through comparison between the two scenarios.

JICA is seeking a full-time researcher to collaborate with researchers at the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute and advance this research project. The specific responsibilities are as follows:

[Responsibilities]
1. Formulation of new research projects
(e.g., literature reviews, development of research methodologies and hypotheses)
2. Implementation of research
(e.g., discussions with co-authors, operational departments, and external experts; organization of workshops; tracking international debates in relevant fields; planning and conducting surveys for data collection; writing research outputs such as academic papers, policy notes, and books)
3. Dissemination of research outputs
(e.g., presentations at seminars, academic conferences, and international conferences; lectures at universities and training programs; contributions to outreach events; contributions to the Institute’s website)
4. Other related tasks
(including coordination and communication necessary for the above activities)
Note: Domestic and international travel may be required as deemed necessary for the above duties.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the successful candidate is expected to develop new research initiatives aligned with the strategic directions of JICA and the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute. At the same time, participation in ongoing or planned research projects at the Institute may also be required. In addition, close collaboration with relevant departments (such as JICA’s Infrastructure Management Department) is expected during the implementation of research.

Achievements of JICA Ogata Research Institute

JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development (Tokyo), and other places.
10-5, Ichigaya Honmura-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8433, JAPAN
As a general rule, changes in work location are not anticipated during the contract period.

1(one)

November/1/2026
Please indicate in your E-mail when you send the application documents if it is difficult to start the contract from the above date.

Full time with fixed term (one year contract, maximum three years upon mutual agreement)

1. All of the following conditions must be met.
(1) In principle, the applicant should have or be expected to obtain a PhD in a field related to the above work by the time of joining.
(2) Have a track record of publishing papers (preferably in English) or presenting at conferences in fields related to the above work, and have high communication skills to carry out international research exchange and policy dialogue.
(3) The candidate should be actively involved in the organisational research agenda of the JICA Ogata Institute and have high level of motivation to carry out interdisciplinary research in collaboration with other researchers and other personals.
(4) The candidate must have a level of English language proficiency that will not hinder the performance of his/her duties, such as ensuring the quality of research outputs and facilitating proceedings at international conferences. (a) TOEIC score of 800 or above, (b) TOEFL (PBT) score of 574 or above, (c) TOEFL (CBT) score of 230 or above, (d) TOEFL (iBT) score of 89 or above (approximately).
(5) Expertise in Quantitative Spatial Equilibrium (QSE) and/or related field.

2. The following knowledge or experience is desirable.
(1) Research experience in development and international cooperation projects in developing countries.
(2) Experience of working in development cooperation agencies, International Organisations, etc.

3. This position is open to all nationalities. Applicants of foreign nationalities are required to have appropriate visa/permission to work in Japan, or have prospect for obtaining such visa/permission without problem. It is desirable to have Japanese language proficiency sufficient to understand everyday conversations, news and business contexts.

1. Salary: rating 4 (approx. 11-17 years' experience) monthly basic salary of JPY 415,620
2. Allowances: overtime allowance, bonus (June and December), commuting allowance, special city allowance (Tokyo special wards). Dependent allowance, housing allowance and retirement allowance are not paid.
3. Working hours: 7 hours 30 minutes from 9:30 am to 5:45 pm.
*Rest breaks of 45 minutes from 12:30 to 13:15 *Staggered working hours and teleworking system are available.
4. Regular holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and year-end and New Year holidays
5. Holidays: Paid holidays, special paid holidays available
6. Social insurance: health insurance, unemployment insurance, employee pension and workers' accident compensation insurance.
7. Promotion to permanent staff: a system is in place to promote those who meet certain conditions to permanent staff.
(Reference: https://www.jica.go.jp/recruit/permanent/index.html)
8. Others: No salary increase. Employees are required to uniformly join the 'Welfare Society' (membership fee equivalent to 0.4% of actual monthly basic salary), a mutual aid organisation for staff, and are entitled to various benefit and discount schemes. Other benefits and discounts are available in accordance with internal regulations, such as the Employment Ordinance. Rules of Employment for Fixed-Term Employees of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (jica.go.jp)
9. Assignment of titles: Titles are assigned in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations of the Organisation.
As a rule of thumb, researchers at the lecturer, assistant professor and post-doctoral level are given the title of 'Research Fellow'.

In addition, this is subject to internal regulations, such as the employment rules.(Japanese only)
・社会人採用（内部枠）
・独立行政法人国際協力機構 有期雇用者就業規則
・有期雇用者手当支給細則

12:00 p.m. (noon) on July 27, 2026 (Japan Standard Time)

*Use the form attached. Photo attached and contact details of two referees are required.
Please attach proof of language skills, if available. If no proof is available, please provide a brief self-evaluation in the CV.

2. List of research achievements
3. List of academic activities
4. Statement of motivation (please include an explanation of the work you would like to undertake at JICA Ogata Research Institute in relation to the research you have undertaken and the research you would like to undertake in the future).
5. 1 copy of your main publications, including English papers, up to 3 copies (doctoral dissertations are acceptable).
6. Letters of recommendation (at least one, but preferably two)
※In principle, letters of recommendation should be sent directly to JICA Ogata Research Institute by email from the recommender (please ask the recommender to include "Application for Research　Fellow (Development Cooperation Strategies Cluster) " in the subject line). If the applicant sends the letter, the original, sealed by the recommender, should be sent to the address given in the 'Contact Information' section (please write 'Application for Researche Fellow (Letter of Recommendation) enclosed' on the front of the envelope).
7. Degree certificates and academic transcripts.

【How to send application documents.】
Please send by e-mail to the JICA Ogata Research Institute recruitment address: drisaiyou@jica.go.jp.
※ Please indicate your name and the number of each application document in the attachment (e.g. "1.(Name) Curriculum Vitae", etc.), and include “Application for Full-time Researcher (Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction)” in the subject line of your email.
※ If the total file size of your application exceeds 15 MB per one e-mail, please send it in several separate e-mails. If there are files that are difficult to send in separate e-mails, please contact us.
※ Compressed files (ZIP, LHA, CAB, TGZ, TBZ, TAR, RAR, etc.) cannot be received. Please take care when you send documents.

*You can submit application documents via the PARTNER website .
*Submission deadline: No later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on July 27, 2026 (Japan Standard Time)

※Application documents will not be returned.
※All personal information submitted will be used solely for the purpose of selection and contract administration.
※Please contact us if you DO NOT receive confirmation message from us within 2 working days after you submit your application by e-mail.

・Result of the first selection will be informed by e-mail.Since this post is expected to involve overseas business travel, applicants who pass the document screening will be asked to submit a health questionnaire.
・Second selection (interview), including a presentation, will be held from late August to early September 2026. Details will be informed to applicants who passed the first selection.
※We cannot respond to inquiries about selection results.
※Other inquiries can be accepted at drisaiyou@jica.go.jp. We cannot respond to inquiries via phone.

JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, Administration Division
10-5, Ichigaya Honmura-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8433, JAPAN
Email：drisaiyou@jica.go.jp