31. Hiring Process

Table of Contents

31.1 Policy

The OIST Graduate University encourages qualified candidates to apply for employment with the University and seeks to hire those individuals who best meet the needs of the University. In its recruitment and hiring practices, the University is committed to providing both employment and career development opportunities because this benefits both the individual and the University. 
The University is also committed to equal opportunity employment policies and procedures and will ensure that all forms of recruitment provide equal opportunity for underrepresented populations, such as women and minorities.

31.2 General Considerations

Selection process rules (31.3.2) do not apply to faculty members, except for 31.3.2.5. Please refer to the Faculty Handbook for guidance with regard to faculty.

31.3 Rules

31.3.1 Advertisement

31.3.1.1 In general, all job opportunities at the University must be posted internally and externally on the University website.

31.3.1.1.1 In order to assure career development within the University, information about the employment opportunity will be posted on the internal website only, as determined by the Hiring Executive  in consultation with the Hiring Approver.

31.3.1.2 To ensure that as many people as possible have adequate opportunity to view and apply for jobs at the University, information about the employment opportunity must be posted for a certain period of time .

31.3.1.3 No posting of employment opportunity will be made  if the position is part of a predetermined career path, is merely a reclassification due to change in duties, or resulted from a reorganization . These and any other posting exceptions must be approved by the Vice President for Human Resource (VPHR).

31.3.2 Selection

31.3.2.1 University employees in principle, are hired following transparent and fair selection . This process normally includes reviewing application documents and conducting employment interviews by the Hiring Executive. Additional steps, such as checking references, may be conducted when the Hiring Executive, in consultation with the Recruiting and Training Section, determines it to be necessary.

31.3.2.3 Selection Committee. An advisory selection committee is formed when the Hiring Approver considers it  necessary . The committee may include external experts in addition to University employees. The committee will conduct collective reviews of candidates and offer advice and recommendations concerning the candidates.

31.3.2.4 To hire the Senior Level Executive provided in item 7, paragraph 2, Article 6 of the Bylaws, the CEO/President must obtain an approval from the Board of Governors.

31.3.2.5 All applicants for employment must be processed through the Recruiting and Training Section or/and  Academic Human Resources Section .

31.3.3 Travel Reimbursement for Candidates

The University reimburses employment candidates for reasonable expenses incurred when traveling to the University or any other convenient place for an employment interview. To be eligible for reimbursement, candidates must be invited to the interview by the University and must follow the Travel Policy regarding recruitment.

31.3.4 Documents to be Submitted

Details are described in Article 12, Rules of Employment and Article 12, Rules of Employment for Part-time Employees.

31.3.5 Probationary Period

Details are described in Article 13, Rules of Employment and Article 13, 
Rules of Employment for Part-time Employees
A newly hired employee, must serve a probationary period, to allow him/her time to become proficient in the basic responsibilities of a new position, and permit the Hiring Executive to evaluate the individual’s performance and suitability for the position.

31.3.5.1 Any decision about an extension of the Probationary Period or about dismissal of the employee must be approved by the Approver (in consultation with the selection committee, if one was formed for selecting the new hire for the position).

31.3.6 Transfer

31.3.6.1 Eligibility:
University employees are eligible to apply for a different position after 6 months in their current position. The 6 month requirement may be waived if approved by the Vice President for Human Resource (VPHR). However, employees are not allowed to apply for other positions during the probationary period.

31.3.6.2 Other details are described in Article 61 and 62, Rules of Employment and Article 55 and 56, Rules of Employment for Part-time Employees.

31.4 Responsibilities

31.4.1 Hiring Executive

The Hiring Executive must follow the established rules and procedures to ensure that equitable and efficient hiring practices are used throughout the University. Delegation of the hiring process role, for below Manager-level employees, may be allowed at the discretion of the Hiring Executive, to the Supervisor of Section or Unit. Even in this case, however, the Hiring executive remains responsible for the hiring process including the final decision and is accountable for the supervision of relevant employee.

31.4.2 Recruiting And Training Section

The Recruiting and Training Section is responsible for posting jobs, processing applications, and providing necessary support to the Hiring Executive. The Recruiting and Training Section serves as the secretariat of the selection committees.

31.4.3 Newly hired employees

Newly hired employees must submit documents specified in Article 12, Rules of Employment and Article 12, Rules of Employment for Part-time Employees. Employees must inform HR Management Section without delay, when any changes occur to details stated in the documents.

31.5 Procedures

31.5.1 How to Request a job opening

31.5.1.1 When the need to fill a position is identified, the job description will be approved after the prescribed procedures are completed, and the job description will be opened upon receipt of approval. The Hiring Executive is accountable for making the job description when requesting approval.

31.5.2 Hiring Process after Selecting Candidates

31.5.2.1 The Hiring Executive initiates the prescribed procedures to proceed with the hiring process and submit a request for hiring approval.

31.5.2.2 With approval of the Hiring Approver, the Recruiting and Training Section sends out the employment documents including the employment agreement to the selected candidate.

31.5.3 Background Check

OIST Graduate University is committed to provide a safe and secure workplace to foster outstanding research environment with qualified employees. To this end, OIST may conduct Background Checks to verify academic and employment history as part of the condition of employment. When conducting background checks, OIST will comply with relevant Japanese laws and the University’s Policies, Rules and Procedures.

31.5.4 Relocation

To obtain more information, consult the “Relocation Allowance Guidelines”.

31.5.5 OIST ID Card

To issue OIST ID Card, please refer to "Regulations for OIST ID Cards".

31.6 Forms

See HR website

31.7 Contacts

31.7.1 Policy Owner

Vice President for Human Resource (VPHR)

31.7.2 Other Contacts

Recruiting And Training Section

31.8 Definitions

31.8.1 Hiring Executive

Hiring Executive is a Senior Level Executive with the ultimate decision on offering a job to potential candidates.

31.8.2 Hiring Approver

Hiring Approver is a person who has an authority to approve the job description and the hiring process. Hiring Approver is normally the Vice President for Human Resource (VPHR), but the Hiring Approver may be the President with regard to Senior Level Executives  and other positions specified by the President.