Opening New Career Paths for PhD Talent in University Research: Akariku and TechManage Form Business Partnership

Akariku, which supports the careers of graduate students and researchers with a mission of "optimizing the flow of knowledge," has signed a business partnership agreement with TechManage, a firm specializing in technology transfer support for universities and research institutions, to support the recruitment of University Research Administrators (URA). The agreement took effect on May 1, 2026.

Akariku, specializing in career support for PhD and postdoctoral talent, will cooperate with TechManage, which has deep ties to university research frontline activities, to secure URA talent and expand career options for PhD holders.

In March 2024, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) formulated the "PhD Talent Empowerment Plan" and set a goal to triple the number of PhD holders by 2040. The plan encourages utilizing the advanced specialized knowledge and problem-solving skills of PhD holders in diverse social arenas, bringing attention to "URA" as a professional role supporting research advancement.

URAs play a crucial role in creating environments where researchers can focus on their work by handling grant applications, technology transfer, joint research contract adjustments, and project management. While the number of institutions employing URAs has doubled from 102 in 2016 to 206 in 2021, mismatches occur due to a lack of awareness and understanding of the profession. This partnership will leverage both companies' strengths to build a cooperative system connecting demand with talent supply.