News

The Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials at Tohoku University is recruiting for the following position.

Position

Title:	Specially Appointed Researcher
Location:	IMRAM, Katahira Campus 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577
Number of positions:	2
Job type:	Fixed term (5 years, with the possibility for extension upon a positive performance review)
Start Date:	October 1, 2025 or later

Job Description

The Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, invites applications for the position of specially appointed researcher. This position focuses on research in solid-state ionics and solid-state batteries, areas identified by IMRAM as core to addressing urgent societal challenges such as energy sustainability, environmental preservation, and responsible resource use.

The appointed researcher will engage in the development of new materials and energy conversion devices, working in close collaboration with Distinguished Professor Jürgen Janek and other members of IMRAM. Research themes include, but are not limited to, the realization of high-performance solid-state batteries and fundamental investigations into underlying mechanisms. Applications are also welcomed from candidates proposing original and innovative approaches that extend beyond these areas to provide fundamental and transformative solutions to current issues.

The researcher will work synergistically with ongoing projects at IMRAM, including the development of novel battery materials led by Professor Itaru Homma and Associate Professor Saneyuki Ohno, as well as advanced operando analysis of materials and devices using synchrotron radiation led by Professor Koji Amezawa and Associate Professor Yuta Kimura. This position aims to contribute to establishing an internationally recognized research hub for next-generation energy technologies through such collaborations.

This recruitment is part of a project associated with the "University for International Research Excellence" initiative, under which Tohoku University was the first institution to be certified in Japan.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree upon taking up the post
• Native or near-native proficiency in English
• Distinguished research achievements in the field of solid-state batteries and solid-state ionics will be evaluated by the selection committee

How to Apply

Please submit documents 1 to 5 listed below as a combined PDF file to the Google Form by August 22, 2025. (total size 10 MB max). Please use your name for the file name (ex. "Lastname_Firstname").

1. Curriculum vitae (free format with photograph attached)
2. List of research achievements (original papers, proceedings, books/reviews, domestic and international conference presentations, and patents, etc.)
3. List of research funds received
4. Summary of past research activities (2 pages)
5. Reference information from 2 people, including their name, contact details, and relationship with the applicant.

The selection committee may ask shortlisted candidates to make a presentation during the selection process.

Remuneration

The annual salary will be determined in accordance with Tohoku University's employment regulations and will be based on the experience and performance of the candidate.

Successful individuals will be enrolled as a member of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Mutual Aid Association which will also provide health insurance for any dependents. Tohoku University will also provide pension insurance, employment insurance as well as industrial accident compensation insurance.

About the Institute

IMRAM identifies research in solid-state batteries and solid-state ionics as a core area for addressing urgent societal challenges from a multidisciplinary perspective. These challenges include energy sustainability, environmental preservation, and the responsible use of resources. IMRAM advances material science forwards by fusing different fields of science and technologies such as, physics, chemistry, biology, process engineering, environmental science and more.