JAMSTEC Young Research Fellow (JYRF)

international activities, and contribute to both domestic and international research communities.

To ensure a smooth start and progress of their research activities, research budget will be provided to successful fellows: 1 million yen per fiscal year, for a total of 3 million yen over 3 fiscal years

• Mentorship system: An assigned mentor and sub-mentor provide advice and support regarding both research activities and overall research life.
• Dual status with Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (PD/RPD): If a successful candidate for JYRF is selected for the JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists-PD/RPD (limited to cases where the host institution is JAMSTEC), it is possible to hold both positions simultaneously. (JSPS Postdoctoral Fellows for Foreign Researchers are not eligible for this provision.)

JAMSTEC’s Research and Development: https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/research/

Research Vessels, Facilities and Equipment: https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/equipment/

Description of Duties

(Immediately upon employment) Successful fellows will be expected to engage in the research subject which is authorized by JAMSTEC in the assigned affiliation under direction of leaders.

(The scope of possible changes) The duties designated by JAMSTEC

*Department assignments for successful fellows will be determined by the selection committee based on each fellow’s preferences and research plan.

*The assigned department is subject to change during the employment period.

Relevant Research Fields

Any natural science or engineering field

Requirements

Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in natural science or engineering field (including applicants expected to obtain a Ph.D. by the effective date of employment.)

*Specific dates regarding eligibility are below:

• Applicants who have already been awarded a Ph.D. on or after August 1, 2021
• Applicants who are expected to obtain a Ph.D. by September 30, 2027

Work Place

(Immediately upon employment) The successful fellow will be assigned to one of the following institutions. Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)

• Yokosuka Headquarters
• Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences
• Mutsu Institute for Oceanography
• Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research

For details on the locations, please visit: https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/access/

*Measures to prevent passive smoking

• Yokosuka Headquarters, Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences and Mutsu Institute for Oceanography: No smoking on the premises (smoking areas are available outside), no work in areas where smoking allowed.
• Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research: No smoking on the premises, no work in areas where smoking allowed.

(The scope of possible changes) The places designated by JAMSTEC (including a place for working from home)

Working Conditions & Contract Period

1. (1) Number of positions: About 5 JYRF positions
2. (2) Type of contract: Fixed-term employee
3. (3) Working Hours: Discretionary Labor System for Specialized Work *The determination of working hours allocation, including start and end times, as well as the method of carrying out research and development activities (including teleworking), is left to the discretion of the employee.
4. (4) Contract Period: Total period will end on March 31, 2030, after 2 contract renewals (up to three calendar years). *First contract period is from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028. *Effective date of employment is negotiable. (In principle, employment will begin by October 1, 2027 at the latest.) *Contract period can be renewed depending on the performance and working attitude. *In the event of childcare leave, nursing care leave, or other special circumstances, the contract may be further renewed for up to two years after the end of the contract period. *On reaching the age of 65 during an employed fiscal year, the contract period will expire at the end of the same fiscal year. This bylaw may change. *JYRF is a non-tenure-track, fixed-term employee position and not eligible to apply for the selection examination for a permanent employee position. However, if a JYRF is subsequently appointed as a fixed-term researcher at JAMSTEC and later applies for the selection examination for a permanent employee position, the years of experience as a JYRF will be counted toward the required years of experience. *This position falls under Article 15-2, Act on Promotion of Science and Technology Innovation.

Salary

Annual salary (paid in 1/12 equal monthly payments) JPY 6,600,000 - 7,200,000

*Salary will be competitive, based on the academic qualifications and demonstrated research skills of the successful fellow.

*There is no raise.

*Bonuses and retirement allowance are included in the annual salary.

Terms of Employment

1. Upon appointment, the successful fellow will receive relocation allowances.
2. Allowance for commuting expenses will be provided.
3. Employee and JAMSTEC will share the premiums for social insurance and labor insurance in the proportion specified by current statute.
4. JAMSTEC employee cooperative provides various subsidies for mutual aid and welfare services.
5. Housing lease service is not available.
6. Holidays and vacations: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, year-end, and New Year's holidays. Annual vacations with pay, special vacations, leave of absence to care for a family member, and maternity leave are provided.

Application Procedure

[Required documents]

*All documents should be submitted in English, except the letter of recommendation.

*All files should be uploaded in PDF format only.

1. CV *Please download the designated form and complete all required fields. Other forms are not accepted. CV form (Excel) *The person listed as a reference should be different from the person who wrote the letter of recommendation and should not be an employee of JAMSTEC.
2. Summary of previous research (1 page)
3. Research plan at JAMSTEC (up to 6 pages; you may use diagrams if necessary.)
4. "Publication (achievement) list" including thesis titles and "List of competitive research funds" awarded to the applicant *Please list publications in refereed (peer-reviewed) journals separately from unrefereed publications. *Include DOI codes if available. *Include grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and other competitive research funding sources. *Include records of scholarship awards received. *If you have not been awarded any, include "none" in the list.
5. Two (or fewer) representative publications *If you do not have a published paper, please upload a PDF stated "none".
6. One letter of recommendation *The letter must be uploaded directly to the link below by the recommender (not by the applicant). https://recruit.jobcan.jp/jamstec/entry/new/2271092 *The letter may be written in either English or Japanese. *The letter must include the signature of the recommender. *Employees of JAMSTEC are not eligible to provide letters of recommendation. *Please ensure that the letter is submitted by the closing date.

[Submission] Please upload Documents 1–5 via the following website: https://recruit.jobcan.jp/jamstec/entry/new/2271096

*Since some parts of the submission website are in Japanese, please refer to the guide below when entering your information. Application guide for JAMSTEC Young Research Fellow 2027

Selection Process

Applicants who pass the document screening will proceed to an interview selection process.

• Interview selection schedule: November 25–27, 2026 (conducted online; all parts of the interview will be conducted in English)
• The interview selection process consists of the following two components:
• (1) Research presentation (open seminar style with participation by JAMSTEC researchers)
• (2) Interview (Q&A session with the selection committee)

Closing Date

August 31, 2026 at 23:59 in Japan time

*All required documents, including the letter of recommendation, must be submitted via the website by this date.

*Depending on the situation of applications, the closing date may be extended.

Contact

Human Resources Section, Human Resources Department, Administrative Division, JAMSTEC Email: jyrf2027[at]jamstec.go.jp

*Please replace [at] with @ and include "JYRF2027" in the subject line.

Please refer to the FAQ. If you have any questions, please contact us using the contact information above.

Remarks

1. Submitted documents will be managed safely according to strict rules. Personal information received during the recruiting process will be used only for recruitment screening and appointment procedures and not for any other purposes.
2. Successful fellows should submit a certificate documenting their health upon appointment.
3. Please kindly inform us in case of withdrawal of your application by Email.
4. Above conditions may be changed at the discretion of JAMSTEC.
5. For non-Japanese speakers, daily work will be conducted in English.

Diversity and Inclusion

In our quest to perform state-of-the-art research and develop scientific and technological innovations based on diverse values, JAMSTEC not only actively recruits women based on gender equality but also strives to create a work environment in which individuality is respected regardless of nationality, race, gender, gender identity, age, or the presence or absence of disabilities. In response to the diverse needs of our employees, we will also promote more flexible work styles and environments, including shorter working hours and opportunities for discretionary work. You can see specific actions from the website below. https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/gender_equality/

You will find an overview of this position and interviews, as well as a link to the application information here: https://www.jamstec.go.jp/recruit/e/jyrf/