Recruitment | International Center for Young Scientists(ICYS)

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. Advantage given when applying for NIMS permanent researcher position 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	April 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026.
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. 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

The call for applications has ended.
The next call is scheduled for February 2026. Further details will be announced on this website once they are finalized.

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

	1st round
Application period for ICYS Research Fellows	September 1 - October 29, 2025
Notification of Document Screening Results	Late December
Interview	Late December– Late January
Notification of Final Results	Mid-February
Appointment	Earliest start date: April 1, 2026; latest start date: September 1, 2026.

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