Application for Experimental Visiting Scholars

Open Call for EVSP Visiting Scholars (FY2024)

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is inviting applications for Visiting Scholars through its Experimental Visiting Scholar Program (EVSP) for visits in the second half of 2024 and early 2025. The program emphasizes novel and innovative approaches in research by inviting senior faculty to spend their sabbatical time at OIST, furthering academic exchange by conducting joint research with OIST research units. Candidates whose research is interdisciplinary and can promote inter-unit collaborations at OIST are preferred.

OIST's Visiting Programs were launched in 2021, with the goal of bringing leading researchers to Okinawa for extended visits. In keeping with OIST's interdisciplinary mission, the programs span all sciences represented at OIST. Note that theoretical researchers should apply to the Theoretical Sciences Visiting Program (TSVP) instead (see this overview of all OIST's Visiting Programs for other options).

OIST Research Fields

Experimental Visiting Scholars will have the opportunity to carry out independent research at OIST, and to interact with one or more OIST Research Units during their stay. One unit will act as host for the Visiting Scholar, granting access to the research group's facilities. Visits will usually be of 3 to 12 months, with support provided for travel, accommodation and living expenses at the level of per diem. No teaching duties come with the position. However, Visiting Scholars are expected to give a general-audience lecture about their field of research within the first month of their visit. Research seminars and/or lectures for graduate students are also strongly encouraged. Proposals for additional outreach activity, short courses for graduate students, or career talks are highly welcome.

Appointment as Visiting Scholar may be taken while on leave or sabbatical from another university. In exceptional situations, successful candidates may be able to apply for support with salary, where this is necessary to facilitate the visit, and they can provide evidence of their need.

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, and staff. 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 childcare. 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 senior faculty members at a research-intensive institution.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit:

  1. a CV including a list of publications;
  2. 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;
  3. 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 encouraged.
  4. Letter of Support from potential host (Principal Investigator at OIST) including their willingness to support the applicant regarding logistical arrangements, office space, access to lab equipment, and other requirements to conduct research. The letter should also include an evaluation of how the applicant's research may benefit OIST, e.g. their project will complement OIST research programs or has potential to promote inter-unit collaborations.
  5. Statements of support of a few sentences from at least one additional Principal Investigator of a research unit at OIST that the applicant would like to interact with (interdisciplinary projects are preferred)

All visits are subject to the availability of funding. To be considered for this year’s funding, the applicant’s intended stay should start between April 2024 and March 2025.

Application through Interfolio - Closed (the next call will likely open in Summer 2024)

Please make sure that you can receive emails from tsvp [at] oist.jp and noreply [at] interfolio.com.

Potential Host Units: The list of OIST faculty members can be found here.

Number of positions: Up to 3

Evaluation criteria

  1. Scientific quality
  2. Benefit to OIST, e.g. through interactions with and across OIST Units
  3. Interdisciplinary nature of OIST
  4. Considerations of diversity
  5. Planned outreach and teaching activity, e.g. general-audience lectures, seminars, (mini) courses, career talks, activities for children/at schools

Benefits provided by OIST

  • A round-trip airfare between the home institution and OIST
  • On-campus housing
  • Daily allowance
  • Office space
  • Access to OIST’s IT system, library, and research

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