Research Assistant

The Position

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support OIST COI-NEXT projects concerning fisheries, agriculture, social-ecological matters and collaboration with local government and local communities. This position combines research analysis with project coordination. The successful candidate will organize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, develop evidence matrices, support field research, and prepare clear outputs for academic, government and community audiences.

Responsibilities

1. Support the design and implementation of interviews, surveys, focus groups and participatory research in topics related to fisheries and coastal communities.
2. Help to organize, code and analyze interviews, meeting records, field notes and other qualitative data.
3. Clean and analyze survey data using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations and other appropriate methods.
4. Develop evidence matrices that connect research questions, data sources, findings, stakeholder perspectives, uncertainties and possible policy implications.
5. Compare evidence from official documents, stakeholder accounts, surveys and available administrative data.
6. Help with research reports, meeting briefs, presentations, policy materials and academic publications.
7. Coordinate fieldwork, stakeholder meetings and workshops, including schedules, materials, minutes and action lists.
8. Support ethical research procedures, participant confidentiality and secure data management.

Qualifications

(Required)

1. A master’s or PhD degree in social science, public policy, environmental studies, fisheries, applied statistics or a related field. Applicants with equivalent professional research experience are also considered.
2. Experience with survey data and statistical software such as R, SPSS, Stata, Python or an equivalent program.
3. Ability to develop clear analytical frameworks, evidence matrices or similar research tools.
4. Proficiency in business Japanese (minimum JLPT2 and above) and English.
5. Ability to work respectfully with researchers, government officials and community stakeholders.
6. Willingness to conduct fieldwork in Okinawa.

(Preferred)

1. Mixed-methods or programmed-evaluation research.
2. Qualitative software such as NVivo, MAXQDA or ATLAS.ti. is desirable but not essential.
3. Work with government, fisheries, agriculture or community organizations.
4. Preparation of policy briefs, government reports or academic papers.
5. Experience analysing both qualitative and quantitative data is preferable but not essential.

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits & Resources:

• Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
• Annual paid leave and summer holidays
• Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
• Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
• Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
• Access to Child Development Center
• Access to Schooling Options
• Language Education
• Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
• Remote Work System
• Disability Support
• LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Support Resources

Application Documents

• Cover letter in English and Japanese (including a description of the statistical and qualitative-analysis software they have used)
• Curriculum vitae in English and Japanese
• *Up to 2 references may be requested during the final interview stage.

Declaration

• OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff.
• Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential in accordance to the OIST Privacy Policy; documents will not be returned.
• Recruiting Organization: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation
• Prevention of Passive Smoking: No smoking indoors
• Please view our policy for rules on external professional activities: Rules for Concurrent Appointment.
• Further details about the University can be viewed on our website.