【Special Open Call】G26-02 Leaders Conducting Research in Materials Science, Researcher (permanent position), Female candidates only, Group Leader

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  
  

  National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) calls for international applications for female researchers (group leaders) to lead research groups in order to promote women’s active participation and advancement. The successful candidate will receive support for prompt start-up of research activities through preferential measures such as (1) allocation of start-up funds of 30 million yen, (2) assignment of one researcher (permanent position) to the group, and (3) priority allocation of laboratory space.

  
  

  Researchers with strong research accomplishments in all fields in materials science, both basic and applied, are eligible to apply. In particular, priority will be given to research into (1) Hydrogen-related materials, (2) Battery materials, (3) Quantum materials, (4) Semiconducting materials, (5) Artificial intelligence materials, (6) Metal and inorganic materials, (7) Organic materials, (8) Biomaterials, (9) Data-driven materials development, and (10) Advanced materials analysis technology. Highly esteemed researchers in any of these fields, and who are willing to further develop these achievements at NIMS are welcome to apply.

  
  

  The successful candidates are expected to go beyond basic research considering future applications. We also welcome applicants from overseas and those with corporate experience.

• Work content and job description

  
  
  
  1. 30 million yen will be allocated as start-up funds, in addition to the operating subsidy project research funds.
  2. Laboratory space will be allocated on a priority basis.
  3. To launch a new group, the quota of one researcher (permanent position) will be provided.
  4. Graduate students can be admitted as faculty members* of the NIMS Joint Graduate School Program. (*Additional application to the program is required after the employment.)
  5. Remuneration will be determined at the discretion of the President, depending on performance, experience, etc. in accordance with the Salary Regulations for Permanent Employees.
  6. Permanent position. The retirement age will be 65 years old after April 2031. Group leaders may maintain its research groups until age 65, depending on the result of reappointment review. Fellows* can maintain their research groups until age 70. (*Additional screening will be required.)
  7. Dual career partner support : If a candidate who has successfully passed this screening process is to take up a position at NIMS and wishes to have her partner work at NIMS, we will consider hiring the partner. Please consult us.
  8. Support for Employees Taking Care of Children or Family Members: Up to 1 million yen a year will be granted to cover costs of employing technical/administrative staff or dispatched employees. In addition, NIMS provides the various systems such as subsidy program for use of private daycare facilities, working, vacation and leave system for childcare and nursing care. Please contact us if you wish to use these systems.
  
  

  * 1, 2, 5 and 7 will not apply to those hired from within NIMS.

• Assigned department

  
  

  Existing departments

  
  

  affiliated to one of existing research centers in NIMS

Job type

• Professor level

Research field

• Nanotechnology/Materials - Metallic material properties
• Nanotechnology/Materials - Inorganic materials and properties
• Nanotechnology/Materials - Structural materials and functional materials
• Nanotechnology/Materials - Nanomaterials
• Nanotechnology/Materials - Polymer materials

Wages

• Annual Salary : 8 million yen ~ 13 million yen

  
  

  Salaries will be determined based on ability, experience, performance, etc. Either a monthly or an annual salary system will be applied.
  
  There will be a salary increase once a year (July) and a bonus twice a year (June, December).
  
  Various allowances (e.g., dependent care allowance, commuting allowance, and housing allowance) specified in the Salary Regulations for Permanent Employees will be paid according to stipulated conditions.
  
  A retirement allowance is also available.

  
  

  * In the case of the annual salary system, the salary consists of the main salary and the performance salary. The main salary is subject to regular salary increases (once a year (July)), and the performance salary varies according to the annual performance evaluation. The retirement allowance is included in the annual salary.

  
  

  Medical benefits and pension plans are provided if the candidate joins the National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Association. Workmen''s accident compensation and unemployment insurance schemes are also available.

Working hours

• Working hours :08:30-17:15

  
  

  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 Working Regulations for Permanent Employees.

  
  

  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.
  
  Teleworking program available.

Application requirements

Qualifications

• Education and Degree Requirements

  
  

  Ph.D. / Doctor

• Description

  
  

  Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements 1~6.

  
  
  1. Outstanding research achievements.
  2. Experience in obtaining competitive external funding as a Principal Investigator for leading group research.
  3. Management skills to run the research group.
  4. Ability to communicate in English.
  5. Over 10 years'' research experience since graduating with a Ph.D.
  6. Being female.
  
  

  *In accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law, this is an open call for female candidates only, as a measure to proactively improve the ratio of female researchers at NIMS.

Employment Type

• Regular employee

Contract period

• Tenured - Non-tenure track

  
  

  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

  
  

  Six months from the start date of employment

Work location

• 305-0047 Ibaraki Tsukuba, Sengen 1-2-1

  
  

  Sengen Site (1-2-1 Sengen), Namiki Site (1-1 Namiki) or Sakura Site (3-13 Sakura)

Compensation

Application Considerations

• Considerations for conducting interviews (e.g., those who live far away, such as overseas)

  
  

  Depending on the situation, web or in-person interview will be conducted.

• Others

  
  

  Gender Equality:
  
  Details are on the following website:
  
  https://www.nims.go.jp/eng/nims/equality/index.html

Number of hired

1 person(s)

• Description

  
  

  A few positions available.

Application period

• 2026/04/01~2027/03/31 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
  
  Submit an entry sheet and CV (free format) together with the list of publications by email. The entry sheet form can be downloaded from "URL of this job posting".
  
  Please match the applicant''s publications with the data in Scopus or Web of Science so that the NIMS recruitment office can verify it.

• Return of application documents

  
  

  We will dispose of all application documents responsibly.

URL of this job posting

• https://www.nims.go.jp/eng/employment/data/smlesb000000cspp.html

Selection / Notification of result

• Selection

  
  

  Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.

  
  
  1. Documents will be screened through entry sheet.
  2. First and second screening. (Web or in-person interviews. Interviews with non-native Japanese speakers will be conducted in English.)
  
  

  * Those who pass the first screening will be asked to submit a research plan (in the prescribed format), which will be reviewed in the second screening.

• Notification of result

  
  

  * After applying, you will be notified of the selection results by email within approximately one month.
  
  * The results of the selection process will be communicated, regardless of whether an applicant was successful or not.
  
  * Individual inquiries regarding the selection process and results will not be entertained.

Contact details

National Institute for Materials Science

Human Resources Development Office

[G26-02]

nims-recruit(at)nims.go.jp

* Please change (at) to @ and send it.

Notes