Recruitment for NIMS Junior Researchers is as a general rule open to the public, with recruitment following the steps outlined below. However, in addition to NIMS screening, another condition is that applicants must be accepted at a graduate institution. Detailed salary and benefit information can be checked on the home pages of graduate school degree programs that offer this system.
NIMS Junior Researcher
Support System Providing Compensation to Particularly Gifted Graduate Students
NIMS provides compensation to those graduate students who display particular aptitude and contribute to NIMS research activities. As a general rule, this does not apply to students engaged in normal academic work, but the conditions for providing compensation are considered to be fulfilled in cases where the student’s research topic for obtaining a general degree is consistent with NIMS research work and he or she is focused on research to obtain his or her degree. In this way, the student is able to concentrate fully on his or her research without having to worry about living expenses.
Recruitment Methods
- Recruitment starts
- Document screening
(Applicant will be notified of the results of the document screening and the interview schedule) - Interview
(Q&A regarding reasons for applying, summary of current research, future research plans, etc.)
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q01: Please explain the system of NIMS Junior Researcher system. |
A01: NIMS Junior Resrarcher is a system to support NIMS Joint Graduate Program students who have excellent research ability by paying wages. All graduate students or candidates of NIMS Joint Graduate Program can apply for it. The academic research for the student's thesis is not a part of the duties of the NIMS Junior Researcher's, but usually there is a close link between the thesis topic and the research project for the NIMS Junior Researcher's |
| Q02: Does NIMS employ every NIMS Joint Graduate Program students as a NIMS Junior Researcher? |
A02: NIMS determines this by the documents that are submitted. If a student is marked out as having sufficient ability to be a NIMS Junior Researcher, he/she will adopted as a NIMS Junior Researcher. Of course, a high level of achievement is necessary, but will or ambition are also key factors. |
| Q03: I am employee of a company, but I am not paid while I'm at this Graduate Program, as my company regard me as taking a leave of absence . Can I apply to be a NIMS Junior Researcher? |
A03: Yes, you can apply while employed. However, once you are in paid employment again, the contract as a NIMS Junior Researcher will expire. |
| Q04: What are the qualification requirements? Is there an age limit? How long is the term of service? |
A04: We have no age limitation. The term of service is one year. NIMS evaluates every NIMS Junior Researcher yearly, and if satisfactory, renews the contract. The tenure of a NIMS Junior Researcher is up to three years for students of the doctoral program, and up to two years for the students of the Master's Course in Materials Science and Engineering. There are no extensions. The contract expires when the student leaves the Graduate Program, or graduates earlier than the standard study period. |
| Q05: How do I apply for NIMS Junior Researcher? When do I apply? |
A05: To apply for NIMS Junior Researcher, prepare and submit the application form at the application period. For more details, please visit the home page of DPMSE; http://www.nims.go.jp/graduate/
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| Q06: What wages does a NJR receive? When is the starting month? Is there a housing allowance? |
A06: As of 2008, the daily pay is ¥14,640 for both the later three-year term students and Master's Course in Materials Science and Engineering students. Wages are paid monthly, multiplying the daily amount by the number of days of service, which will be actually decided at the employment exam. There is a maximum limit on the number of days of service per month; 13 or 14 days for the later three-year term students, and 5-12 days for Master's Course in Materials Science and Engineering students. Therefore, the maximum monthly wage is about ¥200,000 for the later three-year term students, and ¥70,000 - ¥170,000 for Master's Course in Materials Science and Engineering students. Income tax will be deducted. Although NJRs are employed from the date of entrance, wages are paid on the 17th of the following month. There is no housing allowance. For more details, ask your supervising professor or the secretariat of DPMSE (tel: +81-29-863-5348). |
| Q07: Is it possible to apply for both NJR and JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists? |
A07: Students in the later three-year term are eligible to apply for JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists. We encourage students to apply. Please visit the home page; http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/fellow.html The amount of the monthly fellowship is ¥205,000(as of 2003 academic year). On top of that fellowship, recipients may apply for a research grant. Remember that you cannot make contracts with both NJR and JSPS Fellowships. You must choose one of them, because each contract is a contract of employment. |
| Q08: Is it possible to get scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization and the like, even if I am employed as a NJR? |
A08: It is possible to get scholarships. In such a case, NIMS will probably reduce your wages. If you obtain a scholarship from the Japan Student Services Organization, your maximum number of days of service will be reduced to 10 days. |
| Q09: If I am employed as a NJR, am I exempted from repayment of the scholarships of Nihon-ikuei-kai? |
A09: The working conditions of NJR do not correspond to the job category that is exempted from repayment. For more details, please refer to the Japan Student Services Organization; http://www.jasso.go.jp/index_e.html) |
| Q10: If I am employed as a NJR, can I work part-time? |
A10: No. A NJR is obligated by employment regulations to devote himself to his/her job and is restricted from having a side job. Since working part-time may affect a NJR's duties, it is not permitted. |
