Recruitment of Part-time Research Assistant (Research Support: Call opened on August 14)

Job type

The JICA Ogata Research Institute is open to part-time research assistant to perform research project-related services. We welcome your active participation in advancing research at the JICA Ogata Research Institute through collaboration with other researchers and practitioners.
About Us
Empirical Analysis of ODA Reputation: Capturing the Effects of ODA on Trust Building
Theory-building of Inclusive Governance for Human Dignity: Patterns and Causal Mechanisms of the Institutional Complementarity between Modern and Traditional Systems

Responsibilities

As a research assistant, you will be responsible for performing the following services under the research project, "Empirical Analysis of ODA Reputation: Capturing the Effects of ODA on Trust Building”, “Theory-building of Inclusive Governance for Human Dignity” and research projects in the field of politics and governance that are currently underway or in the preparatory stages.

1. Providing support to researchers in connection with the implementation of research projects (including tasks related to the collection of research data, handling ethics review procedures, conducting extensive literature reviews, and assisting authors with the preparation of research outputs).
2. Support tasks related to conducting surveys, building datasets, cleaning data, and similar activities for this project and other projects.
3. Assisting with the editing of research outputs such as research papers, books, discussion papers, and policy notes.
4. Supporting the organization of seminars to disseminate research findings and assist in the creation of visual materials to present research results through flyers, brochures, research reports, web articles, social media, and other channels.
5. Taking notes during interviews and meetings and drafting meeting minutes (as needed).
6. Coordination and support for research operations, including international conferences, research meetings, study sessions, and meetings.
7. Liaison and coordination regarding research projects with domestic and international research collaborators and resource persons, as well as support for business travel and invitation procedures.
8. As needed, provide support for tasks related to the above research projects and other research projects (including arranging dissemination activities, etc.).

Remuneration and Conditions

Contract type:Commission(In principle, 3 days in a week. However, as this is subject to change depending on the progress of projects, it is possible that weeks may arise in which no work is required, or in which the number of working days exceeds 3 days.)
Contract Period: November 1,2026~March 31,2027(tentative), with the possibility of renewal
Remuneration: From 12,520 yen per day (Based on experience and qualifications, in accordance with the OGATA research institute’s guidelines.)
Transportation expenses:To be paid.
Social insurance:None
As this is a commissioned contract, no specific performing hours are set (JICA Ogata Research Institute's standard working hours are weekdays from 9:30 to 17:45 [including a 45-minute break]). The specific number of performing days, days of the week, and hours will be determined in consultation with the research team.

Location

Performances may be conducted either at JICA Ogata Research Institute or remotely. However, depending on security and the characteristic of the services, the performance may need to be carried out at the JICA Ogata Research Institute.

Qualifications

Required qualifications include:
1. Master's degree (or equivalent, or soon to be) in the above research fields
2. Has relevant research background in one of the following fields: ; Political Science, Development Studies, Public Policy, International Relations, Statistics, Economics, Law, Public Administration, Area Studies
3. English language skills sufficient for conducting literature review, meeting participation and note taking (TOEIC score of 800 or above, TOEFL (PBT) score of 574 or above, TOEFL (CBT) score of 230 or above, TOEFL (iBT) score of 89 or above, or equivalent).
4. While this position is open to all nationalities, applicants of foreign nationalities are required to have appropriate visa/permission to work in Japan.

Application close date

September 13, 2026

Starting date

November 1, 2026
Please let us know in your application submission email if the above start is difficult for you.

How to Apply

1. If you wish to withdraw your application after submitting your documents, please notify us promptly.
2. Personal information submitted during the application process will be used only for the selection and contract procedures. Application materials will not be returned.
3. Please contact us if you DO NOT receive confirmation message from us within 2 working days after you submit your application by e-mail.

Please submit the following documents via email. Application documents will not be returned.

2. Reason for Applying to the Position (including relations to your academic activities)
3. Photocopy of Degree Certificate(s) and Academic Transcript(s)
4. Copies of documents proving the eligibility requirements (language proficiency)
■ Email Subject: Please mention “Regarding the Recruitment of a Part-time Research Assistant(Research Support: Call opened on August 14)”.
■ Email message: Please clarify any preferences regarding your start date or desired interview dates and times.
■ Attachment filename: Please include your name in the filename.
ex: (Name) CV
■ Please note that we cannot receive e-mail attachments exceeding 5MB. If application documents exceed 5MB, please send them in several e-mails. If a single file exceeds 5MB, please contact us.
■ Regarding the application documents, we are unable to download files sent via links due to our network security. We kindly ask that you attach the files directly to the body of your email when sending them.
■ Please note that we cannot receive applications in compressed file format (ZIP, LHA, CAB, TGZ, TAR and ARA etc.)

Selection Process

Selection will be conducted on the following schedule (subject to change).

1. Application deadline: September 13, 2026
2. Document screening; Until the end of September 2026
3. Interview:  
・October 1, 2026 (Thu) am. 10:30~a.m. 11:30            
・October 8, 2026 (Thu) a.m. 10:30~p.m. 12:30
・October 9, 2026 (Fri) a.m. 10:30~p.m. 12:30
*Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person or online interview (up to 30 minutes)
4. Final selection: Until the end of October

Note

・Regular research team meetings are held to confirm schedules, share updates, coordinate tasks, and facilitate open discussion among team members. How many days per week you perform and whether you work remotely will be determined based on the progress of the research.
・We welcome candidates who are willing to take on a variety of assignments, including conducting surveys, building datasets, and performing data cleaning, for this and other projects. Demonstrated knowledge of, or skills in, data analysis methods using statistical software such as R would be an asset (prior professional experience is not required).
・We welcome candidates who is proactive and team players to provide broad support—not limited to research activities but also including tasks such as coordinating research projects. We also welcome re-applications from those who have previously applied for open positions at the institute.
・Fluency in Japanese (both verbal and written), and business-level English proficiency is essential. Although communication within the research institute is primarily conducted in Japanese, there are many situations where English is used in communication with stakeholders and in the course of work.
・We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the screening process. For all other questions, please contact us via email.

Contact

JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development Administration Division Recruitment Team
Address:10-5 Ichigayahonmuracho Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo
Email:drisaiyou@jica.go.jp