Job description
Background of the recruitment and description of the project
We are seeking a researcher to lead the development of original "AI-driven materials research methodologies" and their application to innovative materials discovery by integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI agents, with domain expertise in materials science. We expect candidates not only to utilize existing AI tools but to design and develop optimized reasoning engines and autonomous exploration frameworks tailored to solve complex challenges in materials science, thereby establishing new academic frontiers. Our goal is to pioneer a next-generation materials development paradigm where LLMs sophisticatedly orchestrate external and internal tools to derive new materials while verbalizing the underlying scientific reasoning process.
We place high value on the ability and passion to complete the entire cycle from the design and synthesis to the verification of specific new materials leveraging self-developed AI methods and NIMS’s world-class, large-scale materials databases, as well as our extensive computational and experimental infrastructure. We welcome applications from researchers who possess the leadership to achieve a true paradigm shift in Materials Informatics by harmonizing "methodological AI development".* Research Environment Support up to 10 million yen depending on the research plan at the time of arrival is available.
For more information on the research field, please visit NIMS website.
Work content and job description
As above.
Assigned department
Existing departments
Center for Basic Research on Materials (CBRM), Data-driven Materials Research Field
Job type
- Associate Professor
- Lecturer level
- Researcher/Postdoc level
Research field
Informatics - Intelligent informatics
Informatics - Robotics and intelligent system
Informatics - Intelligent robotics
Informatics - Mathematical informatics
Others - Others
AI Agent
Wages
Common to all Job Types
Annual Salary : 6 million yen ~ 10 million yen
Salary / Supply:
Salaries will be determined based on ability, experience, performance, etc.
An annual salary system will be applied.
Please refer to the "URL of this job posting" for details.
Working hours
Common to all Job Types
Working hours :08:30-17:15
Break time :12:00-13:00
Holidays : Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays (December 29 to January 3), annual paid leave, summer holidays, maternity leave, special leave for marriages and funerals, and other types of leave as specified in the rules of the institute.
Overtime and other explanations : The discretionary labor system for professional work will be applied. It is deemed appropriate for candidates to work 8 hours and 15 minutes per day.
The standard work time (8:30-17:15) or the flextime system is also available.
Teleworking program available.
Application requirements
Qualifications
Education and Degree Requirements
Ph.D. / Doctor
Description
- Possess a Ph.D. degree or be expected to obtain a Ph.D. by the start date of employment.
- Be fluent in English for written and oral communication.
- Academic achievements obtained through your research must be published in internationally recognized journals.
- In-depth technical understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs) and hands-on experience in developing AI agents.
- Proficiency in implementing and deploying deep learning models using Python, with a proven track record in open-source software (OSS) or framework development.
- Having a strong commitment and passion for advancing materials discovery through AI-driven research methodologies.
- Having a strong willingness to actively engage in collaborative research with other groups.
Employment Type
Common to all Job Types
Regular employee
Contract period
Common to all Job Types
Tenured - Non-tenure track
Term:
Retirement age: 62 (as of FY2025~2026)
* Following the national government employees, the retirement age will be raised by one year every two years in stages starting in April 2023, and will be 65 years old after April 2031. (For those born on or after April 2, 1967, the retirement age will be 65.)
* In case an employee retires before the age of 65, he/she can use the reemployment system to be rehired until the age of 65 if he/she so desires.Probationary period present
Trial period 6 months
Work location
305-0047 Ibaraki Tsukuba, Sengen 1-2-1
Sengen Site (Sengen1-2-1), Namiki Site (1-1 Namiki) or Sakura Site (3-13 Sakura)
Compensation
Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is not permitted on the premises except in designated smoking areas.
Application Considerations
Considerations for conducting interviews (e.g., those who live far away, such as overseas)
Depending on the situation, online or face-to-face interview will be conducted.
Number of hired
2 person(s)
Description
Several positions available
Job content supplemental explanation
Starting date: Negotiable
Application period
2026/03/16~2027/03/12 Deadline for receipt
Applications will be accepted as long as this call is posted on the NIMS official website.
Application method
Attached documents
Other online application forms
After obtaining your Applicant ID, submit the prescribed application form and recommendation letter via email.
For information on obtaining your Applicant ID and downloading the application form and recommendation letter, please refer to "URL of this job posting".Return of application documents
We will dispose of all application documents responsibly.
URL of this job posting
Selection / Notification of result
Selection
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
- Document screening
- First-round interview: Meet face-to-face at NIMS for domestic residents, Online for overseas residents
- Second-round interview: Meet face-to-face at NIMS
Interviews with non-native Japanese speakers will be conducted in English.
Notification of result
* The results of the selection process of the permanent position will be communicated regardless of whether an applicant was successful or not.
* Individual inquiries regarding the selection process and results will not be accepted.
Contact details
National Institute for Materials Science
Human Resources Development Office
[A26-01]
0298592555
nims-recruit(at)nims.go.jp
* Please change (at) to @ and send it.
Notes
[Gender Equality]
We believe that the fulfillment of the overall work and family life of each employee, who has diverse values and lifestyles, will lead to the revitalization of NIMS, and we are working to create a workplace where both men and women can work comfortably.
Details can be found on the following website: https://www.nims.go.jp/eng/nims/equality/index.html
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