The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), in association with the Australian Academy of Science, offers postdoctoral fellowships for Australian researchers to undertake collaborative projects with Japanese host researchers at JSPS-affiliated institutes in Japan for between 12 and 24 months.

The program aims to help such researchers advance their own research while contributing to the advancement of research in Japan and the counterpart countries.

To facilitate a smooth process of research in Japan, sufficient consultation should be made in advance between the candidate and their prospective host researcher. Mutual agreement regarding the research plan, conditions at the host laboratory, and the candidate’s status under the fellowship should be established prior to application.

As a rule, the fellowship awardees (fellows) shall stay in Japan continuously during the tenure of their fellowships and concentrate on their research at the host institution. Fellows must not engage in other work, either paid or unpaid, during their tenure.

Fields of research

Applications are invited from suitably qualified researchers in any field of the physical sciences, life sciences, engineering technology and medicine. 

Proposals that address one or more of Australia's National Science and Research Priorities will be given preference. The priorities are listed below, with research subfield examples included.

• Transitioning to a net zero future.
  • Research subfields include renewable energy, energy storage, decarbonisation, sustainable agriculture and environmental science.
• Supporting healthy and thriving communities.
  • Research subfields include Indigenous health, mental health research, health information, biomedical engineering and medical science.
• Elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders knowledge systems.
  • Research subfields include traditional ecological knowledge, Indigenous land and water management and environmental management.
• Protecting and restoring Australia’s environment.
  • Research subfields include climate science, Indigenous land and water management, marine biology and oceanography, urban ecology, forestry and biodiversity conservation.
• Building a secure and resilient nation.
  • Research subfields include AI, quantum, robotics and machine learning, cyber security, supply chain resilience, disaster risk reduction and management and critical infrastructure protection.

Candidates must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or a New Zealand citizen with a Special Category visa (subclass 444) and must be living in Australia at the time of application.

Australian permanent residents need to be citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan. People of Japanese nationality, or dual nationality where one is Japanese, are not eligible to apply. Candidates who have permanent residency in Japan are not eligible to apply.

Candidates must hold a PhD degree, which must have been received on or after 2 April 2019 or be scheduled to receive a doctorate degree before the proposed fellowship commencement date.

• Phone: 02 6201 9467
• Email: grants@science.org.au