JAXA is looking for talented and motivated individuals who are willing to work at the frontline of Japanese space development, space science and aviation technology.

Application is now closed.

• Online Application
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) (Updated on July 1, 2009)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) International Top Young Fellowship (ITYF) was established as a prestigious new fellowship program in 2009. The ITYF is designed to attract outstanding, highly motivated, early-career researchers in any of the space science fields covered by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Sciences (ISAS) to work in Japan for 3 (extendable to 5) years. An excellent remuneration package is offered, including research budget and travel support so that the fellow can extend their international profile, as well as developing collaborations within Japan.

Examples of possible research topics include:

• Structure and origin of the universe
• Formation of the earth and solar system
• Utilization of the space environment for microgravity experiments
• Engineering and technology development for the exploitation of space

For example, the following research themes are being conducted by ITYF members at ISAS currently:

• Studying the Sun and the Heliopsphere by Combining Observations and Numerical Simulations
• Observing black hole physics across the electromagnetic spectrum
• Extreme Physics of Relativistic Jets
• Flow and Emission Models for Different Astrophysical Objects
• Non-deterministic and explorational computational flow physics and engineering

Terms and Conditions

Duration of the Fellowship and commencement of the research activity

1. Duration of the research period is basically three (3) years. The contract shall be renewed every fiscal year. The period can be extended up to five (5) years through review by the ITYF Committee if desired, depending on funding and progress.
2. Commencement of the research activity is negotiable: 1st day of a month during Japanese FY2011 (April 2011 to March 2012)

Terms of the Fellowship

1. Salary: The monthly salary is 790,000 Japanese Yen before tax (equivalent to an annual salary of $100,000 US dollars at an exchange rate of 94.80JPY / dollar).
2. 2,500,000 Japanese Yen (about $26,000 US dollars of the research budget at the above exchange rate) is prepared as travel and research funds per fiscal year. Also fellows may apply for competitive research funds (e.g. JSPS’s Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research).
3. Place of appointment: JAXA Sagamihara Campus (ISAS)
4. Lodging: House allowance in accordance with JAXA’s provisions will be provided.
5. Social and other insurances will be fully provided.

Eligibility

Applicant must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral level degree) and less than 8 years postdoctoral experience.

Documents to be submitted

A set of the following documents is to be submitted via e-mail to ITYF2012@jaxa.jp (PDF format preferred)

1. Applicant’s curriculum vitae
2. Outline of applicant’s previous research, and future research plan
3. List of research achievements, including published papers and other publications, etc.
4. Applicant’s three(3) major research papers
5. Three(3) letters of reference

(The letters of reference must be sent by email directly from your referees' accounts to ITYF2012@jaxa.jp. Please inform us of the names of your referees in your email message when you send the application documents.)

Application documents can be sent to the address below by registered mail or international courier service. If so, please state “Application documents for JAXA International Top Young Fellowship” in red ink on the front of the envelope. Application documents will not be returned.

Number of positions

A few

Application deadline

April 30, 2012
All applications must be received by the closing date.

Selection of Fellowships

Submitted documents will be reviewed by the JAXA International Top Young Fellowship Committee. Selected candidates will be invited for a seminar presentation at ISAS/JAXA in Japan.

E-mail:ITYF2012@jaxa.jp
JAXA International Top Young Fellowship Committee
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Miscellaneous

All documents should be in English language.

Use of personal information

The personal information provided to JAXA will be used and handled only for the purpose of selecting the JAXA International Top Young Fellow. JAXA will discard all personal information of unsuccessful candidates after the selection.

Related Web Sites

For further information on ISAS’s activities and the ITYF, please refer to the following web sites.

• Institute of Space & Astronautical Science
• JAXA International Top Young Fellowship

Kozo Fujii, Professor
JAXA ITYF Committee Chair ISAS/JAXA

Tadayuki Takahashi, Professor
JAXA ITYF Committee Vice Chair ISAS/JAXA