外部評価Advisory CouncilIQB Institute for Quantitative Biosciences |332022年度委員2022年度評価The Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) of the Institute for 外部委員会として著名な外国人研究者、日本人研究者からなる「IQB Advisory Council」を設置し、2023年2月6日―8日に委員会を開催した。研究所の組織運営や人材育成のあり方について、意見交換やアドバイスを受けた。具体的には、研究所全体として、①テニュアトラックのシステム、②ジェンダーバランス、③研究室単位での孤立を防ぐ内部交流、④本館改修、⑤国際交流、⑥事務部と研究室の連携、⑦リーダーシップ、の各項目における評価をいただき、PIには、研究やラボ運営に係る評価をいただいた。荒木 弘之 （情報・システム研究機構データサイエンス共同利用基盤施設・特任教授）仲野 徹 （大阪大学大学院・教授）平野 達也 （理化学研究所・主任研究員）Frank Uhlman （フランシス・クリック研究所・グループリーダー）Joshua Patrick Johansen （理化学研究所・チームリーダー）Nicholas M. Luscombe （沖縄科学技術大学院大学・教授）Rodney Rothstein （コロンビア大学・教授）Susan M. Gasser （University of Lausanne、ISREC財団研究所・所長）Quantitative Biosciences (IQB) at the University of Tokyo met from 6th to 8th of February 2023. The SAC interviewed seven PIs, five of which were carefully reviewed for their achievement and proposed future directions, the other two introduced themselves and their research to us as newcomers. The review for each PI is attached separately. We also discussed the following points for further development of the IQB.Overall, the SAC was impressed with the innovations introduced into the institute’s organization and the efforts made to develop international collaborations.Tenure track system at IQBThe IQB has a tenure track system, into which many talented young researchers have been recruited. Although the tenure track system operates quite well, the SAC has two recommendations. Firstly, regarding tenure decisions on existing researchers, we recommend that reference letters from the peers of tenure candidates are solicited, and taken into account during the decision making process. Reference letters are very helpful because a researcher’s international reputation is one of the important points that reflects the candidate’s potential to achieve original studies and to lead his/her field. Secondly, when it comes to new recruitments into the tenure track system, we note that IQB has made some scientifically excellent choices, but also some that appear unduly influenced by local university pressures. To fulfill IQB’s internationally competitive aspirations, scientific must be the dominant recruitment criterion.Gender balanceThe SAC recommends that IQB continues to survey and act to improve gender balance at the institute. Although it is commendable that the gender balance among researchers and students at IQB is better than the average across the University of Tokyo, the percentage of female researchers and students is still approximately only 30% (and is even lower when considering principle investigators).Increase interactionsThe SAC met young and senior scientists as well as graduate students and post-docs. Formerly, the IQB organized events for the young people to promote interactions. However, mainly because of COVID-19 measures, such meetings have not been held recently. Now as Japan recovers from the pandemic, the SAC highly recommends reinstating both scientific exchange and social interactions amongst junior researchers. Our conversations with junior researchers revealed that they are keen to know what other labs study and how they approach their problems. To promote these interactions, it would be useful to have institute-wide regular talks by the PI’s and permanent senior researchers from each lab. In addition, the SAC suggests that IQB organize a scientific retreat to create additional opportunities for interactions, as well as a time for general discussions on the future directions of the IQB.Refurbishment of the ‘Old Building’The SAC is pleased to learn that a refurbishment of the historic ‘Old Building’ will start this year. As stated last time, we hope that the renovation and subsequent lab reorganization will foster interactions as well as promote mentoring and the exchange
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