JIRCAS Visiting Research Fellowship

JIRCAS, Japan's national research center for international agricultural sciences, invites researchers from developing countries for a one-year visiting fellowship starting November 2026. Fellows work under JIRCAS host scientists on one of five FY2026 themes spanning maize nitrification inhibition, methane fermentation microbiology, mungbean emergence, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and sugarcane stress responses. Four themes are based in Tsukuba, Japan; the sugarcane theme runs at a project site in Thailand.

What you get:

• One-year research placement under a JIRCAS host scientist
• Round-trip economy-class airfare
• Living allowance of JPY 7,700 per day
• Housing at Tsukuba International House (Japan) or arranged facility (Thailand)
• Overseas travel accident insurance package
• Research facilities for the designated theme

What you'll do:

• Work exclusively on the research theme you applied for
• Conduct research under the supervision of the theme's host scientist
• Contribute to ongoing JIRCAS projects such as BNI maize evaluation or biomethane platform development
• Return to your home institution afterwards and continue the research

• Citizen of a developing country
• Currently employed at a research organization or university in your home country
• At least an MSc in socio-economics, natural sciences or technology
• Actively engaged in research related to agriculture, forestry or fisheries
• Endorsed by the authority of your employing institution
• Adequate command of English and/or Japanese
• Willing to return home and continue the research after the fellowship
• In good health; Theme 5 applicants ideally Thai nationals or able to stay in Thailand for one year
• No application fees