The International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan invites outstanding early-career researchers to apply for ICYS Principal Investigator (PI) and ICYS Research Fellow (RF) positions. The programs provide an internationally diverse environment, access to advanced research facilities, research funding, and opportunities to develop independent research programs. Science Careers
Position 1 – ICYS Principal Investigator (PI):
Location: Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Institution: National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Employment: Full-time
Term: 5 years
Annual salary: More than JPY 8 million
Annual research budget: JPY 4 million
About the position:
ICYS PIs establish and lead their own small research units and develop original, internationally recognized research fields. Researchers have access to NIMS’s state-of-the-art facilities, technical assistance, mentoring, and administrative support.
Position 2. – ICYS Research Fellow (RF):
Term: 3 years, renewable up to 5 years subject to annual evaluation
Annual salary: More than JPY 6 million
Annual research budget: JPY 2 million
ICYS Research Fellows conduct independent, self-directed research in diverse areas of materials science while working within NIMS’s highly international research environment.
Research Areas:
Applications are welcomed across a broad spectrum of materials science, including:
- Quantum materials
- Battery and energy materials
- Magnetic materials
- Structural materials
- Organic materials
- Bio-related materials
- Advanced functional materials
- Data science and interdisciplinary materials research
Eligibility:
Applicants should generally have obtained their PhD within the past 10 years. The programs are designed for internationally minded young researchers with strong research achievements, independent research ideas, and the potential to develop into future research leaders.
Important: Applicants cannot simultaneously apply for both ICYS PI and ICYS RF. However, applicants who are not selected for the PI position may request consideration for the RF position.
Application Materials:
Applicants are required to prepare documents including:
- CV
- Application form and research proposal
- PhD certificate
- Three significant publications
- List of DOI information for journal publications
- Required pre-submission checklist
Application documents are to be prepared in English.
Career Development:
ICYS offers a strong pathway toward future research leadership. Successful ICYS PIs may pursue permanent research leadership positions at NIMS, while ICYS Research Fellows may progress toward permanent research positions at NIMS or academic positions at universities and research institutions. Such appointments are subject to future selection and are not guaranteed.
Application Deadline:
29 September 2026
How to Apply:
Interested researchers should review the official ICYS recruitment information and application instructions provided by NIMS.
Official NIMS–ICYS Recruitment Information
Institution: National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan
Program: International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS)
Location: Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Note: The linked Science Careers page could not be directly accessed because of a site restriction; the current deadline above is based on the current recruitment listing from the materials-science job board and should be verified on the official NIMS recruitment page before applying.
