Required abilities， qualities， and experience

Applicants should have experience in observational or experimental research related to planetary exploration. Experience in the development of scientific instruments is desirable. Alternatively, for those involved in landing site evaluation, experience in analyzing remote sensing data (not limited to Mars) and a solid foundation in planetary geology are preferred.

Ratios（Project Contribution）

50%

Research environment after arriving at one’s post.

The successful candidate is mentored and supported by staff at the Department of Solar System Sciences and is encouraged to collaborate with research staff in other departments at JAXA. We encourage him/her to join the team meeting and seminars. The team will provide the computing machinery necessary for the project and support travels for workshops and conferences.

Research supervisor/Prospective mentor

Research supervisor:

JAXA ISAS Department of Solar System Sciences  Professor   Tomohiro Usui

Prospective mentor:

JAXA ISAS Department of Solar System Sciences  Professor   Tomohiro Usui

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 Solar System Sciences

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 5,300,000

　* 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 27(Wed), 2025 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, 2025.

Online Interview: Middle-October, 2025(Scheduled for October 15th)

* 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 Solar System Sciences  Tomohiro Usui: usui.tomohiro*jaxa.jp

■For general inquiries

JAXA HR Office: jaxacareer*jaxa.jp

Please change * to @ above.