Initiatives of Doctoral Human Resource Development Unit
S-cubic
In fiscal 2006, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology launched the "Project to Promote Diversification of Career Paths for Science and Technology-Related Human Resources," and began supporting projects to enable people with advanced expertise and broad perspectives, such as those with Ph.D., to pursue a variety of careers outside of universities and other research institutions and demonstrate their abilities.
The "Hokkaido University Basic Science Human Resources Social Activity Promotion Plan" was selected as a project under this initiative (FY2006-2008). Commissioned by the national government, this project involved Hokkaido University collaborating with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology to provide systematic support and create an environment for diversifying the career paths of young researchers, such as postdoctoral post-doctors (PD) (PDs) and doctoral Doctoral students (DC) (DCs). Hokkaido University primarily targeted PDs and DCs in the field of basic sciences, and established the "Superior Skill Station of natural science: Basic Science S-cubic" as the project's base organization within the Graduate School of Science (at the time). From FY2009, S-cubic, within Front Office for Human Resource Education and Development and Senior Human Resources Development Station of the Secretariat, expanded to encompass the entire university, including science, life sciences, integrated chemistry, engineering, agriculture, information science, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, environmental science, health sciences, and fisheries sciences, continuing support activities such as career path development to enable young researchers to thrive in a wider world. The Advanced Human Resource Development Station has established a collaborative system with three teams: I-HoP, which works in conjunction with S-cubic to support the career design of foreign researchers; and COFRe, which also collaborates with 12 partner universities to develop doctoral-level human resources. We would appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding this project.
[Overall evaluation (S) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology] (JST: January 23, 2015)
Following the mid-term evaluation, Hokkaido University 's "Hokkaido University Pioneer Human Resources Collaborative Development System" project (HoP-Station; currently succeeded by S-cubic) received the results of the highest evaluation in the overall evaluation, "Category S of evaluation" (efforts beyond the intended plan).
Background of the birth of S-cubic
Currently, Hokkaido University is conducting research and educational activities with the mission of cultivating scientists who will be leaders in the next generation while achieving results in cutting-edge research. Meanwhile, in the industrial world, globalization is progressing in various fields, and companies are raising their expectations of Ph.D. holders, such as seeking problem-posing talent with advanced scientific knowledge and technology, with the aim of Japan becoming a front-runner in this field. In response to this social situation, Ph.D. holders are certainly needed by the industrial world, but the advancement into companies is not accelerating as expected. In addition to the awareness of the researchers themselves, the reasons for the delay in the advancement of PDs and DCs into companies have been revealed to be organizational problems such as the awareness of research supervisors and the lack of information from companies about job information and the type of talent that companies are looking for. PDs and DCs who have both cutting-edge scientific knowledge and technology and the ability to demonstrate excellent leadership are people who should be active in society (including companies) more broadly, and a system that can accurately capture opportunities for them is essential.
Therefore, Hokkaido University is based on S-cubic.
- A registration-based web system for information exchange (Hi-System)
- Career Counseling Service (J-window)
- MOT course (Career Management Seminar) to learn corporate knowledge
- Learn about various future possibilities (Career Path Diversification Seminar)
- Learn about the actual state of corporate research and development (Advanced COSA)
- A place for interaction between companies and doctoral researchers (Akaiito-Kai)
- Visiting companies in person (Company/R&D Office Visit)
- Practical experience in a company (Internship)
With a focus on these programs, we will continue to support young researchers so that they can play an active role on the world stage, by expanding the programs across the university and covering areas including science, life science, comprehensive chemistry, engineering, agriculture, information science, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, environmental science, health science, and fisheries science.
I-HoP
Young researchers from overseas
What kind of career do you plan to pursue after graduating from Hokkaido University? Some of you may want to find employment in Japan, some may return to your home country, and some may want to pursue a career in another country.
While you may not have much time to think about your future as you are busy with research and daily life at graduate school, it is important to start thinking about what you will do after graduating from Hokkaido University right after you enroll. By doing so, you will be able to steadily accumulate the necessary steps from an early stage in your studies, making your university life more fulfilling and greatly expanding the range of career options you can choose.
If you are looking to find work in Japan, please be aware that there is a set time for job hunting in Japan, and it starts very early, so by the time you are ready to apply, the deadline for the company you want to apply to may have already passed. In order to get the job you want, please start gathering information early.
The International Human Resource Development Program I-HoP offers a program in English to support the career development of young foreign researchers (Doctoral students (DC) and postdocs) at Hokkaido University. Please take advantage of this program to improve your skills and spread your wings and wings from Hokkaido University to Japan and the world.
- Holding seminars to improve transferable research skills
- Providing opportunities for interaction with researchers active in society and Japanese companies
- Individual Career Consultation
- Japanese Language Acquisition Support
- Various surveys aimed at supporting the career development of young foreign researchers
Consortium for Career Development of Ph.D.
We have been working to create a system within the consortium that allows young researchers (postdoctoral researchers, Doctoral course students, etc.) to freely participate by linking the unique doctoral talent development programs they have developed (databases, seminars to learn about companies, close matching systems with companies, etc.).
Currently, 12 universities have formed a "Consortium for Career Development of Ph.D." to support young researchers by sharing, co-sponsoring, and providing participation slots for programs offered by each university.