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ICYS Administrative Office

International Center for Young Scientists
National Institute for Materials Science

Sengen 1-2-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan

Recruitment     ICYS PI

ICYS PI Call for Applications from Young Researchers


The ICYS Principal Investigator (ICYS PI) position at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) is a tenure-track research position designed to foster the independence and long-term career development of outstanding young scientists.
Unlike a postdoctoral fellowship, the ICYS PI position provides a clear career pathway toward permanent research leadership roles such as Team Leader or Group Leader at NIMS. ICYS PIs are expected to establish internationally visible, original research programs and demonstrate the capability to grow into leaders in their fields.

　 　

Description of the position

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Work description

As an ICYS Principal Investigator (PI) at NIMS, you will independently advance research based on your original ideas, managing your own small research unit and utilizing NIMS’s state-of-the-art shared facilities and dedicated research assistants. You will develop internationally recognized, original research areas across a wide spectrum of materials science—including quantum, battery, magnetic, structural, organic, bio-related, and other advanced materials, as well as data science.

Salary and benefits
  • 1. Annual salary: minimum 8 million JPY.
  • 2. Research budget: 4 million yen per year
  • 3. Technical assistants and postdoctoral researchers (for a maximum of three years) may be assigned, subject to review.
  • 4. Eligible to apply for permanent researcher positions at NIMS
  • 5. Working days/hours: 7 hours 45 minutes (08:30-17:15) per day, 5 days per week (discretionary work system)
  • 6. Days off from work include Saturdays and Sundays, national holidays, year-end/New Year holidays (Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)
Term

5 years

*If the applicant is already in NIMS as a non-permanent researcher (Postdoc), the maximum contract term depends on work experience at NIMS.
Possible Starting date

September 1, 2026 - April 1, 2027.
Work place

National Institute for Materials Science, Sengen-Site/ NamikiｰSite/ Sakura-site (Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan)

 

Eligibility

Applicants must fulfill all of the following conditions.

  • 1. Pursue research independently based on your own research plan.
  • 2. Have a Ph.D. obtained within 10 years or expect to be awarded a Ph.D. by the date of appointment.

    • * In case it is not possible to submit a certificate of expected Ph.D. completion by the application deadline, submit a letter signed by the supervisor stating the expected date when the Ph.D. will be awarded.

 

How to Apply

Send the following documents by email to ICYS Recruitment Desk <icys-recruitnims.go.jp>, with a subject line of [ICYS PI Call for Applications].
Do not use HTML mail.

* You cannot apply for both ICYS PI and ICYS Research Fellow .
* If you are not selected for the ICYS PI position, you may be considered for the ICYS RF position if you wish.

Please download ICYS designated forms (1, 2, 5, and 6) below.

  • 1. CV [MS-Word]       Please submit the CV in Word format. (Do not convert it to PDF.)
  • 2. Application form [MS-Word]       Please convert the Application Form to PDF before submission.
  • 3. PhD Certificate (If you are expected to obtain a PhD, a certificate of expected PhD completion is required.)        Please submit in A4 size.
  • 4. PDF files of three significant publications       Submissions of more than three (3) PDF files will not be accepted.
          Please ensure file names are within 50 characters.
  • 5. List of DOI of journal publications [MS-Excel] (instruction for preparing the List of DOI)
      Please submit the file in Excel format. (Do not convert it to PDF.)
  • 6. Pre-Submission Self-Checklist for ICYS Application [PDF]   Please download this checklist and be sure to complete the self-check before submission.
      Applications that do not meet the requirements listed in this checklist will not be accepted.
      Submission of this checklist is not required.         　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

 

Selection Process

Number of Positions: A few
Selection will begin after the application materials are received at the ICYS office. The selection process consists of an initial screening of documents, followed by an interview for those who have passed the screening. The applicant will be promptly notified of the final result according to the schedule below.

 

2025-2026

Item Date/Period 
Application period for ICYS Research Fellows February 2 - March 24, 2026
Notification of Document Screening Results Late May, 2026
Interview Dates 2026
June 25, June 26
July 1, July 2

*The interview will be scheduled on one of the above four dates. Details will be communicated individually after the document screening.
Notification of Final Results July, 2026
Appointment Earliest start date: September 1, 2026
latest start date: April 1, 2027.

 

Inquiry for Recruitment

ICYS Recruitment Desk, National Institute for Materials Science

1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0047 JAPAN

Email: icys-recruitnims.go.jp

Contact us by email