NIMS Junior Researcher

NIMS offers a NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship to doctoral students who aspire to pursue careers in materials science research. This assistantship provides a monthly stipend to support students in achieving their academic objectives.  Appointed NIMS Junior Researchers  will gain valuable hands-on experience by contributing to cutting-edge research projects, while being financially supported throughout their studies.


* This Research Assistantship is available exclusively to doctoral students. If you are planning to apply for a master's program, please refer to   the scholarship information provided on the university's website.

Outline

Duties The duties assigned by the hosting professor or researcher fall under the scope of  the NIMS employment regulations. These duties and responsibilities are related to the student’s research activities.
Eligibility

Admission to one of the following Doctoral program at Waseda University is a prerequisite for this assistantship. NIMS Junior Researchers are expected to have sufficient research capability to be involved in the research activities.


* Applicants must first pass a pre-screening process and an interview. Only those who are  successful in both stage will be eligible to  submit the Waseda University application. Please make sure to carefully review the university's application guideline before applying.

* Prospective supervisor must be the professor of the Waseda University - NIMS Joint Graduate Program.

* If you receive a Japanese government-funded scholarship—such as MEXT, JSPS, or JST fellowships, please check with your scholarship provider to confirm your eligibility.
Contract The contract is for one year and may be renewed annually, up to a maximum of three years. It will be terminated if you withdraw from the program or fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Probation Period 3 months
Monthly Stipend

The stipend amount will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and the actual number of working days.

  • Doctoral student : approx. 200,000 JPY for 14 days work per month

    • IMPORTANT NOTE:
    This is not a scholarship but a form of employment. Accordingly, admission,  tuition,  and miscellaneous fees must be borne by the applicant during the enrollment process.
Start-up Support System

The Start-up Support Grant of 300,000 JPY will be provided to newly hired NIMS Junior Researchers in addition to their salary at the first payday. The amount is almost equivalent to the entrance fees to the university.
Insurance Coverage NIMS Junior Researchers will be covered by the 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 Section ( nims-graduate@nims.go.jp ), with a subject line of [Waseda-NIMS GRA] 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.
    - If you write more than one name as prospective supervisor, please list up the professor names in order of preference.
    - 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
  • Scanned copy of a valid TOEFL iBT / TOEIC L&R /IELTS Academic score certificate
    The certificate must meet the following conditions:

    - The test must have been taken within the past two years.

    - TOEFL ITP (Institutional Test Program), TOEIC IP (Institutional Program) and IELTS General Training certificates  are not acceptable.

Schedule

January 2025 Application

Applications are closed. Applications for September 2026 entry will be open on January 2026. Schedule of last time is as your reference below.
7 January – 6 February, 2025 Application period of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship
mid-late February Document screening result announcement
Early March Online interview by NIMS (Result will be announced within a week.)
11 March Closing date of the university application submission
* those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree outside Japan
Late April Closing date of the university application submission
** those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree from Japan
Early March Result announcement of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship selection
Early June Waseda University entrance exam
** those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree from Japan
13 May 

Announcements of the university exam and NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship selection results
** those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree outside Japan
Late June 

Announcements of the university exam and NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship selection results
** late June for those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree from Japan
September 2025 University admission and Start of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship employment

July 2025 Application

Applications for September 2026 entry will be open on July, 2025.

Application Deadline: August 6, 2025 

1 July –  6 August, 2025 Application period of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship
late August Document screening result announcement
late September Online interview by NIMS
10 October -23 October University application submission
* those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree from outside Japan
25 November -
5 December		 University application submission
** those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree from Japan
mid-December Announcements of the university exam and NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship selection results
* those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree from outside Japan
mid-January, 2026 Waseda University entrance exam
** those who have, or are expected to obtain, a Master's degree from Japan
mid-January Announcement of the university entrance exam and NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship selection
** those who have, or are expected to obtain,   a Master's degree from Japan
April 2026 University admission and Start of the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship employment