Open Faculty Positions

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology is an international, interdisciplinary graduate university in Japan, operating entirely in English and committed to empowering world-class researchers with the freedom, resources, and support they need to drive transformational discoveries.

We are seeking outstanding scientists to join our community as tenure-track faculty members, as part of an expansion in two broad areas. We aim to appoint two tenure-track assistant professors in each area:

Chemistry & Materials Science: broadly defined as including the physical sciences
Life Sciences & Neuroscience: including theoretical and AI approaches

We provide:

Core research funding for your scientific vision
Fully funded PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, lab technicians, and staff scientists
World-class core facilities and support staff
Opportunities for amplifying your scientific impact (e.g., technology transfer, outreach, collaborations, etc.)
Full administrative support and assistance with living and working in Okinawa
Competitive compensation package, including housing and commuting allowances, relocation support, family benefits, and dual-career opportunities

Our culture and environment:

No faculty hierarchies or departments
A thriving international research community representing 73 countries and territories
A vibrant, safe, multicultural setting on the beautiful island of Okinawa

Application documents (in English):

Cover letter
CV, with a lay summary of three publications of note
Research statement (up to 4 pages, minimum 11-point font, excluding references)
Teaching and mentoring statement (1 page)
Three letters of recommendation (to be uploaded by referees)

Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 12:59 PM JST, UTC+9:00

The starting date is negotiable.

Apply here: https://www.oist.jp/careers/faculty-positions

Inquiries: Julia Khusnutdinov, Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, faculty-recruiting@oist.jp

Open Faculty Positions

Chemistry & Materials Science: broadly defined as including the physical sciences
Life Sciences & Neuroscience: including theoretical and AI approaches

We provide:

Core research funding for your scientific vision
Fully funded PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, lab technicians, and staff scientists
World-class core facilities and support staff
Opportunities for amplifying your scientific impact (e.g., technology transfer, outreach, collaborations, etc.)
Full administrative support and assistance with living and working in Okinawa
Competitive compensation package, including housing and commuting allowances, relocation support, family benefits, and dual-career opportunities

Our culture and environment:

No faculty hierarchies or departments
A thriving international research community representing 73 countries and territories
A vibrant, safe, multicultural setting on the beautiful island of Okinawa

Application documents (in English):

Cover letter
CV, with a lay summary of three publications of note
Research statement (up to 4 pages, minimum 11-point font, excluding references)
Teaching and mentoring statement (1 page)
Three letters of recommendation (to be uploaded by referees)

Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 12:59 PM JST, UTC+9:00

The starting date is negotiable.

Apply here: https://www.oist.jp/careers/faculty-positions

Inquiries: Julia Khusnutdinov, Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, faculty-recruiting@oist.jp

Open Faculty Positions

Chemistry & Materials Science: broadly defined as including the physical sciences
Life Sciences & Neuroscience: including theoretical and AI approaches

We provide:

Core research funding for your scientific vision
Fully funded PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, lab technicians, and staff scientists
World-class core facilities and support staff
Opportunities for amplifying your scientific impact (e.g., technology transfer, outreach, collaborations, etc.)
Full administrative support and assistance with living and working in Okinawa
Competitive compensation package, including housing and commuting allowances, relocation support, family benefits, and dual-career opportunities

Our culture and environment:

No faculty hierarchies or departments
A thriving international research community representing 73 countries and territories
A vibrant, safe, multicultural setting on the beautiful island of Okinawa

Application documents (in English):

Cover letter
CV, with a lay summary of three publications of note
Research statement (up to 4 pages, minimum 11-point font, excluding references)
Teaching and mentoring statement (1 page)
Three letters of recommendation (to be uploaded by referees)

Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 12:59 PM JST, UTC+9:00

The starting date is negotiable.

Apply here: https://www.oist.jp/careers/faculty-positions

Inquiries: Julia Khusnutdinov, Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, faculty-recruiting@oist.jp

Open Faculty Positions

Chemistry & Materials Science: broadly defined as including the physical sciences
Life Sciences & Neuroscience: including theoretical and AI approaches

We provide:

Core research funding for your scientific vision
Fully funded PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, lab technicians, and staff scientists
World-class core facilities and support staff
Opportunities for amplifying your scientific impact (e.g., technology transfer, outreach, collaborations, etc.)
Full administrative support and assistance with living and working in Okinawa
Competitive compensation package, including housing and commuting allowances, relocation support, family benefits, and dual-career opportunities

Our culture and environment:

No faculty hierarchies or departments
A thriving international research community representing 73 countries and territories
A vibrant, safe, multicultural setting on the beautiful island of Okinawa

Application documents (in English):

Cover letter
CV, with a lay summary of three publications of note
Research statement (up to 4 pages, minimum 11-point font, excluding references)
Teaching and mentoring statement (1 page)
Three letters of recommendation (to be uploaded by referees)

Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 12:59 PM JST, UTC+9:00

The starting date is negotiable.

Apply here: https://www.oist.jp/careers/faculty-positions

Inquiries: Julia Khusnutdinov, Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, faculty-recruiting@oist.jp

Tenure-track Assistant Professors

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)

1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan