Required abilities， qualities， and experience

(1) Expertise in trajectory design and mission analysis.
(2) Ability to communicate smoothly with domestic and international researchers and DESTINY+ project members to promote joint research.
(3) Experience in design, development, evaluation, operation, and analysis of satellites or spacecraft is desirable.

Ratios（Project Contribution）

50%

Research environment after arriving at one’s post.

After the arrival, the mentor will play a central role in providing guidance, especially in cooperation with researchers inside and outside JAXA.

In particular, the Flyby Operation Working Team within JAXA holds regular meetings once a week, providing a forum for sharing research progress and information.

In addition to these regular meetings, the mentor plans to provide a forum for discussion once a week.

In addition, a room, workstations for numerical analysis (shared), and MATLAB software (licensed within JAXA) will be provided for the students to conduct their research.

Research supervisor/Prospective mentor

Research Supervisor:
JAXA ISAS Department of Spacecraft engineering Associate Professor Naoya OZAKI

Prospective mentor:
JAXA ISAS Department of Spacecraft engineering Associate Professor Naoya OZAKI

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　Department of Spacecraft Engineering

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 Department of Spacecraft engineering Naoya OZAKI: ozaki.naoya＊jaxa.jp

■For general inquiries

JAXA HR Office: jaxacareer*jaxa.jp

Please change * to @ above.