Application for Experimental Visiting Scholars

Call for Experimental Visiting Scholars in FY2025 (Closed)

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is inviting applications for Experimental Visiting Scholars through its Visiting Program. 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 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 fields including, but not limited to, mathematics, physics, computational sciences, chemistry, engineering, and life sciences. Only researchers requiring access to a lab should apply as “Experimental Visiting Scholars”, all others should apply as (regular) Visiting Scholars instead (overview of all OIST's Visiting Programs for other options).

OIST Research

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 Experimental 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. If special circumstances prevent a visit of 3 or more months, please inquire before applying (researchers working in Japan may consider the Domestic Visitor program instead).

To fully realize our vision of promoting scientific excellence through a diverse and inclusive community, OIST is actively seeking applications from women and underrepresented groups. 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 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 2025 and March 2026.

Application through Interfolio (Closed)

Complete applications received by September 30th, 2024 are guaranteed full consideration.
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 5

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.