Recruitment | International Center for Young Scientists(ICYS)

ICYS Research Fellow Call for Applications from Young Researchers

The International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) invites applications from young researchers for ICYS Research Fellows positions. ICYS will offer the selected candidates an opportunity to conduct independent and self-directed research in various areas of materials science, with full access to the advanced research facilities at NIMS.

Description of the position

Work description	As an ICYS Research Fellow at NIMS, you will independently plan and conduct research based on your own ideas, making full use of NIMS’s state-of-the-art shared facilities. You are encouraged to pursue innovative research topics that contribute to the advancement of materials science fields, such as quantum materials, battery materials, magnetic materials, structural materials, data science, organic materials, bio-related materials, and other advanced materials.
Salary and benefits	1. Annual salary: minimum 6 million JPY. 2. Research budget: 2 million yen per year 3. Advantage given when applying for NIMS permanent researcher position 4. Working days/hours: 7 hours 45 minutes (08:30-17:15) per day, 5 days per week (discretionary work system) 5. Days off from work include Saturdays and Sundays, national holidays, year-end/New Year holidays (Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)
Term	3 years (renewable with annual evaluation) ＊Renewal of the contract will be determined based on work performance, work attitude, progress of the work engaged in, workload at the end of the contract period, budget situation, and other factors. The maximum employment period shall not exceed five (5) years. This may be subject to change because of amendments to the Working Regulations. *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