NIMS provides research assistantship to students who aspire to a career as researchers in materials science.
NIMS Junior
NIMS offers the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship to doctoral/master’s students who aspire to a career as researchers in materials science. The assistantship carries a monthly stipend to assist academically deserving students in fulfilling their academic goals. Those students appointed as NIMS Junior Researcher will enable to gain insight into their research career by “hands on” experience of working on latest research projects, without financial hardship.
Outline
| Duties | NIMS offers NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship to excellent students in the doctoral course of Materials Science and Engineering. The assistantship carries a monthly stipend to assist academically deserving students in fulfilling their academic goals. Those students appointed as NIMS Junior researcher will enable to gain insight into their research career by "hands on" experience of working on latest research projects. |
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| Eligibility |
NIMS Junior Researchers are required to have sufficient research ability to be involved in the research. Applicants are expected to have a Master's degree in materials science, metallurgical engineering, physics or chemistry prior to the admission. Admission to the Course of Advanced Nanotechnology and Engineering, Kyushu University is a prerequisite for the assistantship. ※ The employment occurs when the students are enrolled in the graduate programs without leave of absence or withdrawal. ＊ NIMS Junior Researchers are not permitted to receive a concurrent scholarship, such as JSPS or governmental scholarship, and any part-time jobs. Please see FAQ on the NIMS Student Program website for the details. |
| Contract | The contract is one year, and is renewable every year up to three years. The contract will be terminated if the student fails to demonstrate his/her excellence in research or leaves the program. |
| Probation Period | 3 months |
| Monthly Stipend |
It will be determined by the assessment of the candidate and the actual working days.
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| Start-up Support System | The Start-up Support Grant of 300,000 JPY will be provided to newly hired NIMS Junior in addition to the salary at the first salay payday. The amount is almost equivalent of the entrance fees to the university. |
| Insurance Coverage | by Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance |
| Name of Recruiter | National Institute for Materials Science |
How to Apply
Send the following documents by email to NIMS Graduate Program Group ( nims-graduate@nims.go.jp ), with a subject line of [Kyushu-NIMS] Application.
- Application form (word format)
-Please send this in word format when you apply. Sample is available here (pdf format).
- Please include the contact details of at least two references. We may directly contact the references regarding the application.
- The 14th item (questions for Master's candidates) and 15th item (travel grant) on the application form do not apply to NIMS Junior applicants for this program. Please submit them without description. - Curriculum Vitae ( Please be sure to use the designated Curriculum Vitae form.)
- Academic transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate
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Scanned copy of the valid TOEFL iBT / TOEIC L&R /IELTS Academic score certificate.
- The result score from the exam taken within 2 years is valid.
- TOEFL ITP (Institutional Test Program), TOEIC IP (Institutional Program) and IELTS (General Training Module) are not acceptable.
Schedule
April 2025 Application
<OPEN> Applications are now open for October 2025/April 2026 entry. The application deadline is 26 May, 2025.| 9 April - 26 May, 2025 | Application period of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship |
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| late May | Distribution of the university admission guidelines |
| mid June | Document screening result announcement of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship |
| mid/late June | Pre-assessment of Applicants' Qualifications (for universyt application, if applicable) |
| early July | University application period |
| late June or early August |
Interview at NIMS (will be conducted online) |
| late August | University entrance exam at Kyushu University (Basically, it will be held in person, but there is a possibility it will be held online.) |
| early September | Result announcement of the university exam |
| early September early February/March 2026 |
- Result announcement of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship (for October 2025 entry) - Result announcement of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship (for April 2026 entry) |
| October 2025 or April 2026 |
University enrollment and Start of the employment |
September 2025 Application
Applications for April 2026 entry will be open on September 2025. Schedule below is for 2024 version as your reference.| 18 September - 7 November, 2024 | Application period of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship |
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| November | Distribution of the university admission guidelines |
| late November | Document screening result announcement of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship |
| mid December | Pre-assessment of Applicants' Qualifications (for universyt application, if applicable) |
| early-mid January, 2025 | University application period |
| 6 February | Interview at NIMS (will be conducted online) |
| mid February | University entrance exam at Kyushu University |
| early March | Result announcement of the university exam - Result announcement of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship |
| April 2025 | University enrollment and Start of the employment |