Summary
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is inviting applications for Visiting Scholars FY2027 through its Visiting Program. The open call is for independent researchers with a Ph.D. and academic standing equivalent to senior postdoc, junior group leader, or faculty member at a research-intensive institution. The program spans all fields, including mathematics, physics, computational sciences, chemistry, engineering, and life sciences, and supports extended visits to OIST in Okinawa, Japan. Visiting Scholars carry out independent research, interact with OIST Research Units, and typically visit for 3 to 12 months. Support is provided for travel, accommodation, and living expenses at per diem level, subject to funding. Applications must be submitted via Interfolio with a CV, research proposal, and general-audience talk title and abstract by September 15, 2026 for full consideration.
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) |
| Designation | Visiting Scholar |
| Research Area | All fields including mathematics, physics, computational sciences, chemistry, engineering, and life sciences |
| Location | Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Okinawa, Japan |
| Job Type | Visiting Scholar appointment, typically 3 to 12 months |
| Salary | Travel, accommodation, and living expenses supported at per diem level; salary support may be considered in exceptional situations with evidence of need |
| Last Date | September 15, 2026 for guaranteed full consideration |
| Official Notification | https://www.oist.jp/visiting-program/application-visiting-scholars |
Designation
The advertised position is for Visiting Scholars under the OIST Visiting Program for FY2027.
Visiting Scholars are expected to be independent researchers and may take the appointment while on leave or sabbatical from another university. The visit is usually for 3 to 12 months, with the intended stay starting between April 2027 and March 2028. Up to 30 Visiting Scholars are to be invited.
Research Area
The program spans all fields, including but not limited to mathematics, physics, computational sciences, chemistry, engineering, and life sciences.
The appointment typically does not include access to laboratory facilities or permission to conduct fieldwork. Researchers requiring laboratory access are directed to apply as Experimental Visiting Scholars instead.
Location
State/Prefecture: Okinawa
Country: Japan
Campus/Institute: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST).
Eligibility / Qualification
- Education: Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field.
- Experience/standing: Applicants should be independent researchers with academic standing equivalent to senior postdoc, junior group leader, or faculty member at a research-intensive institution.
- Current students: Current students are not eligible to apply as Visiting Scholars.
- Age limit: Not Mentioned in Official Advertisement
- Desirable qualifications: Not Mentioned in Official Advertisement
Job Description
- Carry out independent research at OIST during the visit.
- Interact with one or more OIST Research Units.
- Give a general-audience lecture about the scholar’s field of research within the first month of the visit.
- Research seminars and/or lectures for graduate students are strongly encouraged.
- Proposals for additional outreach activity, short courses for graduate students, or career talks are highly welcome.
- No teaching duties come with the position.
- The appointment typically does not include access to laboratory facilities or permission to conduct fieldwork.
How to Apply
Applications are only accepted via Interfolio. The advertisement states that the Interfolio application is under preparation.
Applicants should submit:
- A CV including a list of publications.
- A proposal of 1-2 pages containing a brief description of their research to date and proposed research during the visit to OIST, including the research units the applicant is interested in interacting with.
- A title and abstract for a general-audience talk.
- Proposals for additional outreach activity, research seminars, short courses for graduate students, or career talks are highly encouraged.
Application fee: Not Mentioned in Official Advertisement
Last Date to Apply
Applications received by September 15, 2026 are guaranteed full consideration. The applicant’s intended stay should start between April 2027 and March 2028. OIST expects to inform applicants of the selection results no later than December 31, 2026.
Interview dates: Not Mentioned in Official Advertisement
