OIST 2026 Visiting Scholars Programme.

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is inviting applications for Visiting Scholars through its Visiting Program.

OIST’s Visiting Program (TSVP) 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.
An appointment as Visiting Scholar typically does not include access to laboratory facilities or permission to conduct fieldwork. Only researchers requiring access to a lab should apply as “Experimental Visiting Scholars” instead.

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. 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. 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).

Benefits

• A round-trip airfare between the home institution and OIST
• On-campus housing
• Daily allowance (OIST per diem)
• Office space
• Logistical and administrative support from TSVP staff
• Access to OIST’s computing resources, library, and research facilities

In exceptional situations, where a Visiting Scholar or a Thematic Program coordinator does not receive any salary from grants or their institution at the time of their visit to OIST, 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Selection Process

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

Method of Application

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 highly encouraged.

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 2027 and March 2028.
Applications received by September 15th, 2026 are guaranteed full consideration.

For More Information,

Visit the Official Webpage

Application Deadline: September 15, 2026.