News & Announcements

The Urban Resilience Research Center (UReC) of Osaka Metropolitan University has been accredited by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as the Platform for Leading-edge Urban Studies, one of Japan’s Joint Usage/Joint Research Centers. As part of its activities, UReC supports the research activities of early-career scholars engaged in internationally competitive, innovative urban studies. We hereby invite applications for Special Research Fellow for Leading-edge Urban Studies, as outlined below.

Number of positions

A small indeterminate number

Research Funding

1. Applicants must designate one UReC full-time faculty member or affiliated research fellow as their Host Researcher. The selected fellow will conduct an independent research project closely related to the host’s research field. Please refer to the link above for details on each researcher’s expertise. If you are unable to identify the appropriate contact, please reach out to the office listed below.
2. The research period runs from the date of notification of acceptance until March 31, 2027. Applicants should prepare a research plan that can be completed within this period.
3. As part of the Platform’s activities, fellows are required to present their research at the semiannual review meeting (Special Research Fellow Presentation Meeting). Fellows will also participate in planning and operating activities related to the Platform.
4. Research funding will be provided. The amount will be determined based on the assessment of the submitted research plan after UReC’s annual budget is finalized.
5. At the application stage, the proposed research budget must not exceed 200,000 yen.
6. Research funds must be used in accordance with Osaka Metropolitan University’s expenditure regulations.
7. At the end of the research period, fellows must submit both a Research Activity Report and a Financial Report.
8. Please note that the title “Special Research Fellow” may be subject to change.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

1) Currently enrolled in a doctoral course.

2) Have completed all required coursework for the doctoral degree and be in the process of writing the dissertation.

3) Hold a doctoral degree, obtained within the past 10 years.

4) Individuals who have previously served as paid Special Research Fellows at this Center are not eligible.

Required Documents

1. Application Form
2. Consent Form from the Host Researcher
3. Recommendation Letter from the applicant’s current academic advisor

(All documents must be prepared using the designated forms: Application_Form_for_Special_Research_FellowsFY2026 (40.2KB))

Application Procedures

1. Application Period: June 1 (Mon) – June 12 (Fri), 2026 (must arrive by the deadline)
2. Submission by postal mail or in person: Submit the documents to the address below. Please write in red on the envelope: Application Documents for Special Research Fellow. Submitted documents will not be returned.
3. Submission by email: Send all documents as PDF files to the email address below. Use the subject line: Submission of Application Documents for Special Research Fellow.

Selection Process

The Urban Resilience Research Center Special Research Fellow Selection Committee will review all submitted documents. Results will be announced by Friday, June 19.

Contact & Submission Address

The Executive Office of Platform for Leading-edge Urban Studies
Urban Resilience Research Center, Osaka Metropolitan University

3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, 558-8585 Japan
Tel: (+81)-6-6605-2071, Fax: (+81)-6-6605-2069
E-mail: urec-joint_office[at]ml.omu.ac.jp