Engineer [A26-02]
Materials Science Specialized LLM & AI Agent Development, Several positions are available

We will promote the R&D and implementation of a next-generation AI infrastructure to revolutionize materials development by maximizing the use of NIMS’s vast accumulation of materials science data, including scientific papers, experimental data/images, and crystal structures. Specifically, the candidate will be responsible for the continuous pre-training and fine-tuning of LLMs using our proprietary data, and the development of domain-specific tokenizers. Furthermore, leveraging frameworks such as LangChain, LlamaIndex, and AutoGPT, as well as the Model Context Protocol (MCP), you will design and build the architecture for "Autonomous Research AI Agents" that can independently operate and interface with NIMS's existing computational simulators and automated experimental systems. By designing advanced reasoning frameworks using cutting-edge AI technologies such as GraphRAG, along with hybrid AI systems that incorporate physical constraints, we aim to realize a data-driven research platform that dramatically accelerates the speed of materials discovery. For this position, we are seeking individuals who can apply AI technologies with intellectual curiosity toward the domain of materials science, and who find value in implementing the latest technologies from the IT industry into the research field with a proactive mindset.

* Researcher position is also currently open.
A26-01 Development of LLM-based Autonomous Materials Discovery Methods

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 A26-02 application form]
Use the provided forms (Curriculum Vitae (Word file) and Application Form (Word file) for this position number, which can be downloaded by the link at the bottom of this page.
Submit the curriculum vitae (Word) and the application form (PDF) to appliform=nims.go.jp. (Please change "=" to "@") The subject line of the email should read: Application for A26-02 (Applicant ID).

*Current students applying must submit their academic transcript(s) in PDF format 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
Use the form for this position number. After filling out the application form, convert it to a PDF file.
 

(1) Experience and Proficiency in Relevant Work

For each relevant work experience you have had, describe the content, duration, and level of proficiency within two A4 pages.

(2) Aspirations for the Relevant Work

Describe within two A4 pages.

(3) Self-Promotion

Describe within one A4 page.

(3) List of publications

List if you have any academic papers (peer-reviewed), review papers, invited presentations, patents, or books.
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. Underline the applicant's name. There is no limit to the number of pages. Provide information in English. Publications written in Japanese may be described in Japanese.

 

3.     Letters of recommendation　[Click here to download the A26-02 recommendation form]

Submit one letter of recommendation. (A second letter is optional.)
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).
If you are a current student applying for this position, one reference must be your academic supervisor.
Please let the references know in advance that NIMS may contact them directly.

4.     Multiple applications
For applications to the Targeted Recruitment “AI for Materials,”  apply for either the Research Position (A26-01) or the Engineer Position (A26-02).
Applicants may apply to multiple open positions for other engineers or researchers only if they meet the eligibility requirements and job specifications for each position. However, please note that application materials and procedures may differ.


* 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.