Transnational academic mobility and career development: Post-graduation trajectories of international doctoral graduates in Japan

• Project/Area Number: 25K17030
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 09050:Tertiary education-related
• Research Institution: Hitotsubashi University
• Principal Investigator: 孟 碩洋 一橋大学, 森有礼高等教育国際流動化機構, 特任助教 (40998358)
• Project Period (FY): 2025-04-01 – 2030-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2025)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,810,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,110,000); Fiscal Year 2029: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2028: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2027: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
• Keywords: Higher education / Academic mobility / Doctoral education / PhD talent / Brain circulation

Outline of Research at the Start

This study examines post-graduation career paths of international doctoral graduates in Japan, addressing a critical knowledge gap amid declining enrollments threatening research competitiveness. It constructs a unique dataset to analyze career trajectories, cross-cultural value of Japanese doctoral education, and job market challenges. Expanding beyond Chinese scholars and academia, it includes diverse graduates and non-academic sectors. Findings aim to enhance higher education policies, improving talent attraction/retention and Japan's global research standing.