Opportunities

Available PositionResearcher or Researcher (II) (JECR2026)
Recruiting DepartmentResearch Institute for Global Change (RIGC)
Research Institute for Marine Geodynamics (IMG)
Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research of Life (X-star)
Institute for Earth and Material Sciences (EMS)
Research Institute for Earth and Information Sciences (REIS)
Research Institute for Marine Technology and Engineering

*The affiliations of the successful candidates will be determined during the employment process.
*There may be a change in affiliation in the event of a reorganization of JAMSTEC.
Recruitment Objective and Target ResearchersJAMSTEC is now recruiting approximately 5 promising early career researchers as Researchers or Researchers (II) to lead future research and development initiatives and engage in pioneering and innovative research.
Successful candidates are on a tenure-track and are eligible for the Selection Examination for the Position of Permanent Employee (a tenured position).

JAMSTEC will conduct the following research and development activities under our Fifth Medium-to-Long-Term Plan:
・Promoting research and development to deepen understanding of global-scale phenomena and address related challenges through: understanding global changes and their mechanism; comprehending the generation mechanisms of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis to contribute to disaster prevention measures; exploring the co-evolution of Earth and Life and the diversity and function of marine ecosystems ; elucidating global biogeochemical cycles, formation mechanisms of submarine resources, and environmental assessments; and predicting future changes in the interactions between the ocean, Earth, life, and human activities, including the development of digital twins of the ocean.
・Contributing to the creation of humanity's intellectual assets and fostering new innovations by promoting the use and application of the knowledge base acquired through research and development.
・Generating and disseminating valuable information by integrating data from surveys and observations and strengthening analytical capabilities.
・Strengthening and promoting fundamental engineering research and elemental technology development to create ocean observation and deep-sea exploration systems for vast and deep-sea environments, with a focus on the domains of high-precision, unmanned, labor-saving, efficient, and miniaturization.

Building upon the research and development initiatives outlined in the Fifth Medium-to-Long-Term Plan, we invite applications from researchers committed to promoring next-generation marine science and technology through advanced and interdisciplinary research with the following characteristics:

・Researchers who leverage creative ideas and original perspectives to promote fundamental technology development and accelerate research and development efforts
・Researchers engaged in cutting-edge research within current fields or pursuing interdisciplinary research that transcends existing research domains
・Researchers with a certain degree of independence, demonstrating enthusiasm to conduct their own research by leveraging JAMSTEC's research environment and infrastructure
・Researchers demonstrating a commitment to collaborative research across research divisions and contributing to JAMSTEC-wide research and development initiatives
・Researchers capable of proposing novel research and development that advances "AI for Science," which fuses scientific data and research findings with artificial intelligence.

For details on our research and development system, please visit the website below and recruiting departments is available by clicking the links in the department names:
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/research/

[Description of Duties]
(Immediately upon employment)
Successful candidates will be expected to engage in research and development at their assigned affiliation and related departments.

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

[Relevant Research Fields]
Marine Science and related natural sciences or engineering fields
Job Type[Job Title]
Researcher (Science):
Researcher (Science) is expected primarily to conduct fundamental, originative, or advanced research based on theories, observations and experiments related to research and development.

Researcher (Technology):
Researcher (Technology) is expected to conduct fundamental, originative, or advanced technology development and related research.

[Position]
Researcher:
Researcher is expected to further accumulate and develop its own expertise, and to continuously create and publish the results of their main papers and technology development as a dedicated researcher.

Researcher (II):
Researcher (II) is expected independently to conduct research and technology development and to share results through scientific publications and achieve technology innovation.

*Job Title (Science/Technology) and the position will be determined during the employment process.
RequirementsApplicants must have completed a Ph.D. in a closely related field of research or technology development.
Work Place(Immediately upon employment)
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

*Work Place will be one of the institutions listed above. Please refer to the following website for details.
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) Number of positions:
Approximately 5 positions for Researcher or Researcher (II)

(2) Type of contract:
Tenure-track fixed-term employee

(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) Contract Period:
Period of employment is from October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031

*Effective date of employment is negotiable.
*One contract period is a maximum of five fiscal years. The contract period will not be renewed.
*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.
*After undergoing an evaluation during the period of employment, the contract may be modified to one without termination (termination of employment would be at the end of the fiscal year in which the employee reaches the age of 62, or the age of 65 if the employee is rehired after their retirement). For details on this system, please contact Human Resources Section.
*This position falls under Article 15-2, Act on Promotion of Science and Technology Innovation.
SalaryAnnual salary (paid in 1/12 equal monthly payments)
e.g., JPY 7,000,000-9,300,000

*Salary will be competitive, based on the academic qualifications and demonstrated research skills of the candidates.
*Bonus and retirement allowance are included in the annual salary.
Terms of Employment(1) Upon appointment, the successful candidates 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) Company-Leased Housing will be available. (There are eligibility criteria based on income etc.)
(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(1) Required documents
a) CV
* Valid email and home address must be provided.
* Educational history should include all qualifications from high school and above.
b) Summary of your research (1 page)
c) Research plan at JAMSTEC (3 pages)
* Please clearly indicate two research departments of interest at the beginning of the plan (e.g., your desired affiliation and related research activities).
* Research plans should either advance current research fields at the cutting edge or employ cross-disciplinary approaches that transcend existing research domains. Proposals combining both elements are particularly welcome.
* When preparing your research plan, please clearly describe the research objectives, content, distinctive features, and the significance of implementing the research at JAMSTEC.
d) "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.
e) Two (or fewer) representative publications
f) Two letters of recommendation from two senior research scientists (1 letter from each).
* Employees of JAMSTEC will not be accepted as writers of Letter of recommendation.

(2) Submission
a)-f) Convert all application documents to PDF format and upload them to the following website:
https://recruit.jobcan.jp/jamstec/entry/new/2266029
* Since some of the notation is in Japanese on the website, please refer to the following input procedure when entering your information.
Application guide

f) Please arrange for your recommenders to send their letters of recommendation directly to the following recruitment contact address by email attachment by the closing date.
recruit-app[at]jamstec.go.jp

* When sending, please replace [at] with @ and use "JECR2026 [Applicant Name]" as the subject line.

(3) Interview
Applicants will be selected based on submitted application material, followed by an interview.
*Web-based online interviews are expected basically.
Closing DateJuly 12, 2026 at 23:59 in Japan time
*Depending on the situation of applications, the closing date may be extended.
Contact Human Resources Section, Human Resources Dept. Administrative Division, JAMSTEC
Email: recruit-app[at]jamstec.go.jp
*Please replace [at] with @ when addressing Emails and include "JECR2026" in the subject line.
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 candidates 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 the agency.
(5) For non-Japanese speakers, the interview and daily work will be conducted in English.
Diversity and InclusionIn 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/