Japan’s KEK, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, has announced a worldwide search for its next Director-General, whose term will begin April 1, 2018, and last for three years.

KEK is an Inter-University Research Institute Corporation established by the National University Corporation Act. It is open to both domestic and international researchers as an institute for research and education. The facility is comprised of the Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies, the Institute of Materials Structure Science, the Accelerator Laboratory, and the Applied Research Laboratory. KEK pursues a wide range of research activities based on accelerators, such as particle and nuclear physics, material sciences, biosciences, accelerator physics and engineering.

The Director-General presides over the business of KEK as a representative of the Inter-University Research Institute Corporation. In a statement, KEK stipulates that nominees be “persons of noble character, with relevant knowledge and experience and having abilities to manage its educational and research activities properly and effectively; persons expected to promote with long-term vision and strong scientific leadership, the highly advanced, internationalized and inter-disciplinary research activities of KEK by getting support from the public; and persons expected to establish and carry out the medium-term goals and plans.”

Nominees are eligible for reappointment twice and thus may not remain in office continuously for more than nine years.

KEK asks that nominations be accompanied by a letter of recommendation, brief personal history of the candidate and a list of major achievements including publications, academic papers, commendations, membership on councils, etc.

Nominations must be submitted no later than May 31, 2017, to Takayuki Sumiyoshi, chair of Director-General Selection Committee
High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, at KEK, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Japan 305-0801. Documents (Word/PDF) can be submitted in either English or Japanese.

Inquiries concerning the nomination can be addressed to KEK’s General Affairs Division at kek.dgsc@ml.post.kek.jp