Application for Domestic Visitors

Open Call for Domestic Visitors

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is inviting applications for Domestic Visitors (currently working in Japan).

OIST's Visiting Program was launched in June 2021, with the goal of bringing leading researchers to OIST for extended visits. In keeping with OIST's interdisciplinary mission, the program spans all sciences represented at OIST.

Visitors will have the opportunity to carry out independent research at OIST, and to interact with one or more OIST Research Units during their stay. Domestic visits will usually last 2 weeks to 6 months, and can be split into several shorter visits. Accommodation and office space at OIST are provided free of charge. Candidates may apply for travel support from OIST, where this is necessary to facilitate the visit (e.g. if they do not receive travel support through grants or their home institution). No teaching duties come with the position. However, visitors are expected to give a research seminar within the first month of their visit.

OIST is an institution with no departments, which aims to eliminate barriers between people working in different fields. We are an equal opportunity educator and employer and are working actively toward increasing the diversity of our faculty, students, staff, and visitors. We have implemented policies to promote a diverse, inclusive, and family-friendly culture. These include supporting dual career couples, gender neutral facilities, “stop the clock” options, and on-site child care. Further details can be found at https://www.oist.jp/.

OIST is actively seeking applications from women and underrepresented groups.
OIST is deeply committed to the advancement of diversity in science, in Japan and worldwide.  Please contact us at tsvp [at] oist.jp if you have any questions or concerns.

Eligibility

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field and be independent researchers, i.e., should have an academic standing equivalent to senior postdoc, junior group leader, or faculty member at a research-intensive institution. The Domestic Program is intended for researchers working in Japan at the time of their proposed visit.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit:

1. a CV including a list of publications;
2. a proposal of no more than one page containing a brief description of the proposed research during the visit to OIST, including the research units the applicant is interested in interacting with;
3. a title and abstract for a research seminar. Proposals for additional outreach activity, general-audience talk, short courses for graduate students, or career talks are welcome;
4. proposed schedule for the visit: applicants pick one of the available time slots and indicate how long and how many times they propose to visit OIST during this time window. Available time slots are listed below
5. statements of support of a few sentences from two OIST Principal Investigators (requested through Interfolio)

All visits are subject to the availability of housing.

Available time slots

When applying for a slot less than 3–4 months in the future, please write a message to tsvp@oist.jp and we will strive to process it in time.

Application through Interfolio

http://apply.interfolio.com/123494
Rolling Deadline: Application is possible at any time. Selection will be made at least twice per year in July and January. Please make sure that you can receive emails from tsvp [at] oist.jp and noreply [at] interfolio.com.

Evaluation criteria

1. Scientific quality and expected impact of the proposed research
2. Benefit to OIST, e.g. through interactions with and across OIST Units
3. Interdisciplinarity, i.e. contribution to dialogue between different research fields
4. Considerations of diversity and spread of academic career stages
5. Planned outreach and teaching activity, e.g. general-audience lectures, seminars, (mini) courses, career talks, activities for children/at schools

Informal inquiries are welcome: please contact Dr. Jonas Fischer at tsvp@oist.jp.