Required abilities， qualities， and experience
Skills/experiences in cosmochemistry, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, planetary science, astronomy, instrument development, applied physics, or analytical chemistry
Ratios（Project Contribution）
Hayabusa/Hayabusa2 international sample allocation project
Development for future sample return missions for MMX and Artemis
50%
Research environment after arriving at one’s post.
The applicant can work at Astromaterials Science Research Group (ASRG), ISAS, JAXA and at universities/research institutes outside JAXA.
Returned sample curation facilities and instruments (EPMA, FE-SEM, TEM, Micro-Thermography Thermal Diffusivity Analyzer, micro-Raman, FIB, ultramicrotome, ion chromatography, XRD, GC-MS, ICP-MS, XCT) at ASRG are available for research.
Research supervisor/Prospective mentor
Research Supervisor:
JAXA ISAS Astromaterials Science Research Group Manager Tomohiro USUI
Prospective mentor:
JAXA ISAS Astromaterials Science Research Group Manager Tomohiro USUI
JAXA ISAS Astromaterials Science Research Group Associate Professor Haruna SUGAHARA
JAXA ISAS Astromaterials Science Research Group Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Ryota FUKAI
JAXA ISAS Astromaterials Science Research Group Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Takuya ISHIZAKI
Location
JAXA Sagamihara Campus
<Scope of change> If the organization conducts telework regularly, the location; if the location of work changes due to organizational reorganization, the location determined by the organization
Department
JAXA ISAS Astromaterials Science Research Group
Employment，benefits
*Before applying, please be sure to read the [JAXA Aerospace Project Research Associate (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science) Recruitment Page].
3years
・Contract of employment will be concluded each fiscal year.
・Applicants will not be hired as a permanent employee after the term of service.
・Employment period may be extended up to 3 years for the longest, in consideration of research evaluation every fiscal year.
・Annual Income
Approximately JPY 5,900,000
* May change due to the recommendation by the Natl. Personnel Authority.
・Benefits
Commuting, Housing, Achievement, Year-end allowances.
・Research funding
Researcher may receive research funding specific to such individual.(However, this depends on the budget.)
Closing Date
August 26(Wed), 2026 17:00(JST)
* Closing Date is mandatory.
* Please note that you are not able to pre-apply during 1a.m.~5a.m.(JST) on the third Thursday of each month due to regular system maintenance. Thank you for avoiding the certain time.
Selection Schedule
The result of the first selection will be announced by the Middle-Late September, 2026.(Scheduled to be held around September 24th)
Online Interview: Middle-October, 2026.(Scheduled to be held around October 16th)
* On the day of the event, you will be required to give a 10-minute presentation on your research plan and future career vision. Those who have passed the document screening will need to send the above presentation materials (PDF) by the interview date.
* Schedule is subject to change.
Attached document
Please check the JAXA Aerospace Project Research Associate Recruitment page "Required Documents" of ISAS carefully before applying.
"FORM 2 Letter of Recommendation" (in PDF)
Letter of Recommendation must be attached by the applicant or sent by the recommender by email ( " isas-hrtask*ml.jaxa.jp ". Please change * to @)
If you do not send a Letter of Recommendation, your application will be invalid.
Contact information
Please enter "JAXA Aerospace Project Research Associate Recruitment" in the subject line and send.
Please refrain from making inquiries other than those related to recruitment.
■For specific inquiries about the research theme;
ISAS Astromaterials Science Research Group Tomohiro USUI: usui.tomohiro＊jaxa.jp
■For general inquiries
JAXA HR Office: jaxacareer*jaxa.jp
Please change * to @ above.