About ICYS

The International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) is a center established by NIMS in 2003 that operates a program to develop young leaders in the field of materials science. Researchers with strong motivation who earned their PhD within the past ten years are recruited as members of ICYS, without belonging to research groups in other research centers. ICYS provides an ideal environment where they can focus on their own research topics while collaborating with various research groups both inside and outside NIMS.

Outstanding researchers from around the world who have passed a rigorous selection process gather at ICYS. As they strive for the forefront of materials research, they often inspire and support each other, sometimes acting as friendly rivals and sometimes as colleagues. ICYS also offers strong career support, including dedicated research funding and many opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.​

ICYS upholds the principles of being International, Interdisciplinary, Independent, and Innovative (“In⁴”). The center was founded with the aim of creating an environment where young researchers can pursue innovative materials science independently and where talented individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive on the global stage.

Since its establishment in 2003, ICYS has continued to foster the next generation of leaders and promote international collaborative research by making full use of the advanced research infrastructure at NIMS. Through its two programs—ICYS PI and ICYS RF—ICYS has steadily advanced its mission of fostering young scientists and promoting international research collaboration.​

ICYS is managed both systematically and flexibly under the leadership of the Director. The Director (Dr. Hidenori Takagi), Acting Director (Dr. Tadashi Furuhara), and Deputy Director (Dr. Kohzo Ito) are responsible for decision-making and overall management, with the administrative office providing support for daily operations.

	Director​ Hidenori TAKAGI [Director’s Massage Page]
	Acting Director Tadashi FURUHARA​​
	Deputy Director Kohzo ITO

ICYS Administrative Office: Administrative Support ​​

※For details about ICYS members and their research, please see the [Members]page.

ICYS (International Center for Young Scientists) offers a development program that provides an ideal, internationally diverse environment and comprehensive support, enabling young researchers to pursue independent research based on their own ideas.

For details about the program, please refer to [Programs].
For recruitment information, please refer to [Applications].

ICYS brings together researchers from around the world with diverse academic backgrounds. ICYS covers a wide range of disciplines, including materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, and AI. The institute conducts cutting-edge research that utilizes specialized expertise.

For detailed information about each discipline and the research topics of individual members, please refer to the [Members]page.

Scale of ICYS

ICYS maintains an average of 20 to 25 researchers at any given time.​

Age Composition

The average age of researchers at ICYS is 30 to 35 years old, reflecting the active involvement of many young researchers.​

Gender Balance

ICYS maintains a nearly equal gender ratio, fostering a highly diverse research community.

The institute provides an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of gender, and offers flexible support systems to promote work-life balance.

The ability to prioritize both research and personal life is a major attraction of ICYS.

International Diversity of ICYS Members

ICYS attracts motivated and talented young researchers from around the world. To date, ICYS has appointed around 200 talented researchers from 32 countries, creating a multinational and diverse research community.

English is the official language, and all daily discussions and research presentations are conducted in English. Within this global environment, researchers encourage and challenge each other, building internationally competitive careers and networks.​

ICYS provides an inclusive and internationally diverse environment where everyone can thrive and contribute in their own way.​

Research Environment and Facilities​

ICYS researchers have access to NIMS’s state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment. Researchers can utilize original instruments that are unique to NIMS, enabling them to pursue advanced materials research at the highest level. This environment provides opportunities to undertake innovative research projects that are possible only at NIMS, allowing researchers to turn their ideas into groundbreaking achievements.

Research Achievements and Outcomes

Each ICYS researcher publishes an average of more than three research papers per year, many of which are featured in major international journals and top journals in their respective fields. The high level of research achievement is also reflected in metrics such as citation impact (FWCI) and the number of patent applications.

The main research achievements from the past five years are listed below.​

Press Releases / Awards​