INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CARBON-NEUTRAL ENERGY RESEARCH
The International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) at Kyushu University, Japan is actively
seeking outstanding candidates for post-doctoral researcher position (Electric Energy Conversion)

OUTLINEThe International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) is a member Center of the “WPI Academy”
founded by MEXT’s Research Promotion Bureau. I2CNER’s mission is to contribute to the creation of a sustainable
and environmentally friendly society by conducting fundamental research for the advancement of low carbon
emission and cost-effective energy systems, and improvement of energy efficiency. The research efforts areorganized into three thematic research clusters or “Thrusts” as follows: Advanced Energy Materials, Advanced
Energy Conversion Systems, and Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment. This structure
allows us to capture our most relevant existing capabilities and organize them for the best future impact. It also
provides an efficient mechanism for world-class international and Japanese researchers to work interactively toaccomplish common goals which cut across disciplines.
In November 2022, I2CNER is launching the “Center for Energy Systems Design," referred to as “the Center”, underthe “Carbon Neutral Energy Alliance” in collaboration with six research institutes* to conduct research that
contributes to the realization of carbon neutrality. The Center consists of six research teams: "Photo Conversion","Electric Conversion", "Materials Conversion", "Materials, Storage and Transport", "Data Science", and "EnergyAnalysis". The Center’s goal is "energy system design, high-speed conversion of energy, and materials conversion
through using data science" toward the realization of carbon neutrality. Details are explained on the third page ofthis document.
Within the Center, every team is led by a junior Principal Investigator (as illustrated in the diagram). These teams will
collaborate with both I2CNER faculty members and faculty members from other collaborating research institutes.
Moreover, each team will have the privilege of employing one postdoctoral researcher.
*Six collaborative institutes:
Hokkaido University, Institute for Catalysis (ICAT)
Tohoku University, Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Tech Academy of Energy and Informatics (ISE)
Kumamoto University, Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials (IINa)
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS)National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Research and Services Division of Materials Data and Integrated
System (MaDIS)

CURRENT OPENINGSCESD / I2CNER recruits one post-doctoral research associate to advance the development of advanced
electrochemical energy conversion systems; conversion of electricity to fuel and vice versa, such as electrochemicalhydrogen/fuel production, fuel cells, etc. using ceramic proton conducting materials. The selected researcher will
collaborate with Associate Professor Leonard Kwati in the Electrical energy Conversion Team. We are seeking
candidates with sufficient knowledge of electrochemistry, solid-state chemistry, materials chemistry andcharacterization.
In particular, candidates with knowledge in any of the following areas are preferred:(1) Materials Synthesis and Processing(2) Electrochemical Process Engineering and system modelling,(3) Solid oxide electrolysis and fuel cell technology.
Furthermore, we strongly encourage postdoctoral research fellows to engage in proactive research collaboration
with faculty members, researchers from all three research Thrusts, and the six collaborative institutes at I2CNER.
Consequently, we extend a warm welcome to qualified candidates who possess the capability to collaborate not
only with the center but also on the relevant research at I2CNER.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS*
1.
2.
3.
4.

Cover letter
Application form
Curriculum vitae which details research experience and interests
List of publications*Separate lists for refereed journals and conference proceedings.
*Provide the public database information of your articles, such as “Web of Science” or “Scopus”
5. Names and contact information of three references*All materials must be submitted in English.
*Please note that you are requested to make these documents by separate files, and include the document
numbers (no.1 through no.5) into each file name.

CONTRACT PERIOD

June 1, 2024 - March 31, 2026 *Expected starting date may vary depending on the selection process.
Reappointment is possible upon annual evaluation (maximum: March 31, 2028).

SALARY & STARTING DATEAnnual Salary: 4 million JPY yen and above. (It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.)
The starting date is expected to be June 1st, 2024. (It depends on the recruitment process.)

APPLICATION DEADLINE•January 31, 2024, 15:00 (JST)※Please note that this call may be closed earlier if we receive sufficient applications.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Please email your application materials via email attachment to: wpi-office@i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Please fill in the email subject as follows;
I2CNER Postdoc Application (Electric Energy Conversion)

QUESTIONS?

Please contact the I2CNER Administrative Office at: wpi-office@i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER)
Kyushu University
744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
Postal Code 819-0395, JAPANTEL: +81-(0)92-802-6932 FAX: +81-(0)92-802-6939*Kyushu University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The administration, faculty and staff embrace
diversity and are committed to attracting qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.
*The application materials will be used only for the purpose of this application, and personal information will not bedisclosed, transferred, or loaned to any third party without justifiable reason.

CENTER FOR ENERGY SYSTEMS DESIGN

Achieving carbon neutrality requires major advancements and innovation in energy production, storage,transportation, utilization, and social systems. The Center for Energy Systems Design consists of six research teams:"Photo Conversion", "Electric Conversion", "Materials Conversion", "Materials, Storage and Transport", "DataScience", and "Energy Analysis". By dividing the roles, we will promote research on "energy system design and highspeed conversion of energy and materials based on data science" toward the realization of carbon neutrality. In
addition, an important goal of the Center is the mentoring of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers
toward career development.
Fast conversion is feature lacking in the current carbon-neutral energy technologies. We will conduct researchaiming at "fast conversion of device or catalytic processes" in addition to "high efficiency" that has been current
research goal thus far. The "Energy Analysis" team analyzes future social demands based on a thoroughunderstanding of energy science and technology and contributes to setting research directions, goals, andmilestones for research projects in collaboration with the technical research teams. The "Data Science" teamsupports each research team through data analytics to enable orders of magnitude performance increase.
Each research team is led by a junior PI (see diagram) and operates in collaboration with I2CNER faculty members,faculty members of the collaborating research institutes, and postdoctoral researchers. I2CNER will also contribute
through large networks of international partners and the 6 collaborating institutions through their corresponding
areas of expertise. Junior PIs are required to advance the objectives of their research teams in accordance with thegoals of the Center.
Center for Energy Systems Design