Research Fellow and Academic Associate, Innovation and Education, and Postgraduate Degree and Training Programme (PSA6)

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit

About Institute (UNU-IAS)

UNU-IAS is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.  UNU-IAS is a UNU institute based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions.  Through its postgraduate education programmes including master’s and doctoral degree programmes, UNU-IAS develops future international leaders with interdisciplinary understanding and skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability.  UNU-IAS builds on a strong tradition of UNU research and capacity development in Japan, undertaken in collaboration with a global network of professionals and scholars, particularly in Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit

The Innovation and Education (IVE)  Programme is a thematic area of UNU-IAS, aiming to promote research and practices on innovative and inclusive education and lifelong learning for sustainable development at all ages. It reinforces evidence-based policy advice to translate global goals into local actions with a close alignment with the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030 Roadmap. One of the main activities is to strengthen the capacity of UNU-IAS regional and global networks, namely the Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (RCEs: ) and (), and collaborate with the networks to facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships. 

Through postgraduate education UNU-IAS develops international leaders with the interdisciplinary understanding and technical skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability.  The institute offers master’s and doctoral degree programmes, and innovative short courses, in close collaboration with leading universities in Japan and other countries.

Responsibilities 

The Research Fellow and Academic Associate role involves two main functions: serving as a researcher for the Innovation and Education Programme (IVE) and serving as an academic coordinator for the UNU-IAS Postgraduate Degree and Training Programme (PDT). Under the general supervision of the UNU-IAS Director and the direct supervision of the Academic Programme Officer and Academic Programme Advisor, with close cooperation with the Head of PDT, the Research Fellow and Academic Associate will be responsible for the following duties:  

1.Conduct research projects for the IVE programme 

• Develop research plans in the area of Innovation and Education, ensuring its contribution to the UNU IAS Strategic Plan, UNU Strategy 2025-2029, and global SDGs agenda (with particular focus on SDG4) 

• Undertake policy-oriented and mission-driven research responsive to the emerging needs and ensure the production of quality and quantity of the research outputs, such as UNU-IAS policy briefs, journal articles, and other UNU-IAS and UNU publications

• Contribute to the international debates and processes on sustainable development through policy-oriented research

2. Implement capacity building initiatives 

• Support design and implementation of capacity development activities in partnership with Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), Regional Centres for Expertise on ESD (RCEs), and Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research () members as well as relevant UN agencies and international organizations

• Mainstream action-oriented pedagogies (AOP) in overall capacity building programmes for sustainable development

• Coordinate the maintenance of the databases for AOP

3. Contribute to the IVE resource mobilization and maintain strategic partnerships and networks  

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships and collaborations between the global academic community and the UN system on education and innovation issues

• Coordinate the Greening Community pillar in the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership (GEP) initiative

• Initiate and develop grant proposals and resource mobilizations for research and project activities and monitor the funded research progress and draft donor reports in a timely manner

• Support the formation of a synergetic partnership among existing and new networks of UNU IAS, including HESI, RCE, , and GEP, in line with the UNU IAS Strategic Plan

4. Support the delivery of the Postgraduate Programmes and Training (PDT)  

• Contribute to the UNU-IAS Postgraduate Degree Programme, including through teaching courses, such as research methodology and statistics,

• Assist the Academic Programme Advisor and the Head of PDT in curriculum development and the new students selection process,

• Serve as a Principal Academic Advisor for students enrolled in the UNU-IAS postgraduate degree programme

• Contribute to the short training programmes implemented by PDT

5. Perform other duties requested by the supervisor 

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality development of 2 papers and/or policy briefs per year

• Timely and quality delivery of lectures including climate justice and right to education, graduate seminars and other education related classes

• Quality and level of engagement with partner universities, research institutions and UN agencies

• 2 proposals for resource mobilization and/or research grants per year

  UNU is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity

• Integrity — Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards

• Humility — Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others

• Humanity — Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

• Analyse and plan — Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

• Deliver results with positive impact — Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

• Learn and develop — Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

• Adapt and innovate — Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Education and certification:

• Ph.D. is required, in education, social sciences, development studies, environmental science, policy studies or related field 

Experience:

*Required:

• At least three years of working experience in higher education and/or professional institutions in the above-mentioned areas, some of which preferably in an international and multi-cultural environment

• Scholarly competence in international educational development, education for sustainability, climate change education, innovation and technology in education, international and comparative education and/or environmental education, with a proven record of publications in the above-mentioned areas

• Experience in resource mobilization and proven track record of securing funding with demonstrated skills in research-related administrative and grant management

• Excellent analytical skills as well as demonstrated ability to multi-task and to manage own workload and schedule to deliver timely results

• student supervision and teaching experience and ability to teach postgraduate classes, especially research methods and quantitative data analysis

• Good team player with excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to approach relevant stakeholders, demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

• Proven record of media engagement and ability to communicate scientific discourses widely with the general public

*Desired:

• Demonstrated ability to incorporate concepts, practices, and policies of education and learning into the framework of sustainable development, linking its ecological, social, cultural and economic dimensions

• A set of network and hands-on experiences in IT sector and other private sectors is an advantage

• Experience in networking with research and research policy stakeholders

Language Requirements:

• Excellent communication skills in English language, both oral and written communication, are required

• Working knowledge of other UN official languages and Japanese is an advantage

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a national PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including a monthly net salary in the range of JPY 614,417 - 678,917 commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Expected start date: 
1 August 2026

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;

• Fill out the (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);

• Provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and

• Answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

  You may wish to refer to the for more information.

Application Deadline:  
31 May 2026 (23:59 JST)

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special Notice

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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