Researcher [C26-01]
Researcher at the NIMS - University of Tsukuba Collaborative Hydrogen Laboratory, 1 position available

In April 2025, the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and the University of Tsukuba have established the 'NIMS - University of Tsukuba Collaborative Hydrogen Laboratory' (Co-Directors: Dr. Ken Sakauchi (Team Leader of the Electrochemical Energy Conversion Team at the Energy and Environmental Materials Research Center of NIMS) and Professor Takahiro Kondo (Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at the University of Tsukuba)). The laboratory was set up to strengthen collaboration on world-leading research in hydrogen-related and electrochemical materials. Through this open call, we are seeking outstanding individuals who are able to conduct cutting-edge research on the synthesis and characterization of materials for green hydrogen production and storage using electrochemistry at the laboratory. Applicants should have an exceptional record of their scientific performance. The successful applicant will be appointed as a full-time tenured NIMS Researcher. Furthermore, under a cross-appointment agreement with the University of Tsukuba, concurrently with the position at NIMS, the appointee will also hold the position as an Assistant Professor (five-year fixed term) in the Kondo Laboratory, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at the University of Tsukuba.

The appointee will work closely with Dr. Ken Sakaushi, the Team Leader at the NIMS, and Professor Takahiro Kondo at the University of Tsukuba, to develop innovative materials towards unveiling fundamental principles in physical electrochemistry. In order to drive world-leading research, the appointee will have a wide spectrum of benefits from NIMS, including access to state-of-the-art data-driven material discovery methods employing house-made artificial intelligence, as well as various cutting-edge in-situ/operando electrochemical spectroscopic techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The research will focus on creating innovative hydrogen-related materials based on electrochemistry. Furthermore, under framework of NIMS's state-of-the-art equipment and research support systems, the appointee will mentor students at the University of Tsukuba, thereby also contributing to the education of the next generation of researchers.

As an assistant professor at the University of Tsukuba, the appointee will engage in educational and research activities within the relevant fields of the 'College of Engineering Sciences' and the 'Subprogram in Materials Science, Master's/Doctoral Program in Engneering Sciences, Degree Programs in Pure and Applied Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology'. The appointee will also conduct research at the 'Hydrogen Boride Research Center, Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences'.

In addition, with Dr. Sakaushi's support, the appointee will also be able to actively participate in collaborations with leading laboratories both in Japan and overseas through Japan's flagship national projects on materials science, including DxMT (MEXT; Data Creation and Utilization-based Materials R&D Project), GteX (JST; Innovative GX Technology Creation Project) and ASPIRE (JST; Advanced International Collaborative Research Promotion Project).

* Research Environment Support up to 10 million yen depending on the research plan at the time of arrival is available.

* The term of the assistant professor position at the University of Tsukuba under the cross-appointment contract is five years. After the cross-appointment contract ends, the appointee may continue to work at NIMS as a permanent researcher until the mandatory retirement age (65 years old, for those born on or after April 2, 1967).

* This position is a cross-appointment joint recruitment with the University of Tsukuba. The University of Tsukuba is also recruiting separately for an assistant professor position based primarily at the Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, with a concurrent appointment at the Electrochemical Energy Conversion Team at NIMS. For details, please visit the following website. Multiple applications for these two positions are not permitted.

[Related link]
Open call for an assistant professor position at the University of Tsukuba, based on the cross-appointment agreement with NIMS (JREC-IN website, Japanese)
https://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekJorDetail?id=D126021643

No person falling under any of the following items may be eligible for the application:

1. a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment or a more severe punishment, and of whom the execution of the sentence has not been completed or who has not yet ceased to be amenable to the execution of the sentence;
2. a person who was dismissed by a disciplinary action and for whom period of two years has not expired since the day of that disposition;
3. a person who, on or after the date of the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan, formed or belonged to a political party or other organization which advocated the overthrow by force of the Constitution of Japan or the government established thereunder.

We believe that the fulfillment of the overall work and family life of each employee, who has diverse values and lifestyles, will lead to the revitalization of NIMS, and we are working to create a workplace where both men and women can work comfortably.
Details can be found on the following website:
https://www.nims.go.jp/eng/nims/equality/index.html

• Since the second phase of the action plan starting in April 2007, NIMS has achieved goals such as an uptake in leave-taking and the introduction of reduced working hours. In May 2009, NIMS was certified as a “Childcare Support Company” under the Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-Generation Children. NIMS has established a work environment that facilitates handling both a career and the responsibilities of raising children.
• Flexible working systems, such as the flex-time system and the discretionary work system, are in place.
• Maternity leave, parenting leave, part-time work for child care, and family care leave, etc. are available.
• Personnel expenses to employ an assistant for 1 year may be provided to researchers, engineers and permanent administrative staffs who take care of children or other family members.
• NIMS supports female researchers. NIMS encourages applications from female candidates.

Smoking is not permitted on the premises except in designated smoking areas.

1. Acquisition of Applicant ID
Access the following link to obtain your Applicant ID, which is required to complete the application and recommendation forms.
Form for Applicant ID
Enter all required information in English. An email containing your Applicant ID will be sent to the email address you provide in this form.
If you do not receive an email containing your Applicant ID within three days of submitting this form, please contact us at the email address below.
E-Mail: nims-recruit=nims.go.jp (Please change "=" to "@")


2. Application documents  [Click here to download the C26-01 application form]
Use the provided forms (Curriculum Vitae (Word file), Application Form (Word file), and The number of publications (Excel file)) for this position number, which can be downloaded by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
Submit the curriculum vitae (Word), the application form (PDF), the number of publications (Excel), and PDF copies of no more than three representative papers to appliform=nims.go.jp. (Please change "=" to "@") The subject line of the email should read: Application for C26-01 (Applicant ID).

*If you wish to give your presentation in Japanese at the interview, submit a scanned copy of TOEIC / EIKEN(英検) / TOEFL / IELTS, etc. academic score certificate.
*Applicants currently enrolled in graduate school must submit their academic transcript as PDF file in addition to the documents listed above.
 
I. Curriculum Vitae
Use the provided form for this position number.
Enter necessary information in English or Japanese. Submit the curriculum vitae file in Word format.
 

 II. Application form
This document is used to examine the knowledge, skills, research abilities, abilities to plan and propose researches, and English communication skills of an applicant.
Use the form for this position number. After filling out the application form (Word file), convert it to a PDF file.
 

(1) Research accomplishments

Describe your past research achievements in English within four pages of A4 size papers.
 

(2) Research Plan

Describe your short-term and mid- to long-term research plans at NIMS, as well as your aspirations for collaborative research at the 'NIMS-University of Tsukuba Collaborative Hydrogen Laboratory', in English within two A4-size papers.

(3) Educational plans and aspirations at the University of Tsukuba

Describe your educational plans and aspirations at the University of Tsukuba, with a focus on student guidance, in approximately half a page of A4 paper. Write in either English or Japanese.

(4) List of educational, practical and professional achievements

Summarize your educational and social achievements, including any teaching responsibilities and guidance/advice provided in your professional capacity, on a single A4 page. Items written in English should be entered in English, and items written in Japanese should be entered in Japanese.

(5) List of publications

Clearly categorize as original papers, review papers, invited presentations, patents, and books in the sequence of publication from new to old with serial numbers assigned. Forthcoming research papers and articles in academic journals may be included only if they have been accepted for publication. There is no limit to the number of pages. Provide information in English. Publications written in Japanese may be described in Japanese.
 

III. The number of publications
This document is used to count applicant's research achievements: papers, invited talks, patents, books, etc. Use the prescribed form (Excel file). Submit the number of publications file in Excel format.
 

IV. PDF copies of no more than three representative papers
Submit representative papers (within three papers) of yours in PDF format. You may add supplementary data to the papers. In such cases, prepare PDF files by combining the paper and the supplementary data to submit.
 

VI. Academic transcript (Only for graduate students)
Applicants currently enrolled in graduate school must submit their academic transcript as PDF file.

 

3.     Letters of recommendation　[Click here to download the C26-01 recommendation form]

Submit two letters of recommendation by May 6, 2026.
Applicants must request that their references send their letters of recommendation directly to recommend=nims.go.jp. (Please change "=" to "@")
Use the form for this position number. Complete the form in English or Japanese and convert it into a PDF file.
The subject line of the email should read: Recommendation for (Applicant ID) from (full name of reference).
Applicants currently enrolled in graduate school, one reference must be your doctoral dissertation supervisor.
Please let the references know in advance that NIMS may contact them directly.

 

* The information provided for application will be used only for the employment selection and as the analytical data for verification of the recruitment process, and will not be used for any other purpose. We appropriately manage the personal information under the NIMS Regulations for Protection of Personal Information.

* Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected. Submitted application documents cannot be changed.

* Information cannot be provided on the details of the screening process.