The Pokémon Company is actively recruiting PhD holders, preferably with a background in ecology, to work in Tokyo. Fans are likening this opportunity to being the real-life Professor Oak, who mentors Ash Ketchum and also gives him his first ever Pokémon, Pikachu. Notably, the job requirement was posted on the Japanese recruitment platform HRMOS.
The Pokémon Company is looking for PHD holders to become a ‘real-life professor’
The Pokémon Company is giving avid fans of the 90s anime the chance to relive their dreams of being a Pokémon professor. The job listing has shared detailed criteria of qualities and degrees an applicant must possess. The applicant must have in-depth knowledge and expertise in animal and plant ecology (via IGN India).
Interested applicants must be well-versed in both Japanese and English. The recruitment requirement states that they will consider applicants for roles in “each” of the Pokémon Company’s businesses. In simpler terms, the candidates will be considered for positions across the company’s different business units.
Selected candidates can reportedly earn an annual income of 6 million yen to 10 million yen (approximately $37.8K – $63K). The Pokémon Company will raise the employee’s salary every March (via The Express Tribune).
It appears that The Pokémon Company’s quest for ecologists isn’t too surprising. The company can use this extensive research, knowledge and expertise to upgrade the gaming experience for fans by understanding how animals and plants co-exist in real-life ecosystems. As per the job listing, the applicants don’t need development-specific skills like programming; a PhD in ecology is sufficient.
Based on the detailed job listing, it appears that The Pokémon Company aims to create a more realistic environment for its future games and elevate the overall quality.
One fan commented, “Every kid who got laughed at for wanting to be a Pokémon Professor is updating their resume right now.” A second fan wrote, “A real PhD to study fake creatures. The Pokémon Company is built different, and this job posting is going to break the internet.”
