Career Advancement
through Multiple
JSPS Fellowships
Voices of Two JSPS Fellows

Waiting for yourapplications!

Osaka Metropolitan University
Graduate School of Medicine

Laura Barbieri, PhD【―What made you decide to apply for JSPS
Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan, andto participate in multiple fellowship programs?
My journey with JSPS began in 2019 with the Summer
Program. My host, Prof. Takeda at the University ofTokyo (UTokyo), was introduced to me by my PhD
supervisor. During the program, I met several inspiring
researchers, some of which I currently work with.
One day, chatting of science and life with a colleague,I learnt about a team in Osaka Metropolitan University(OMU) doing fieldwork and field-based studies inAfrica. This sparked my curiosity and I started to thinkof going beyond lab-based research. I decided to visit
OMU, where I learnt about Prof. Kaneko and his workon malaria in Kenya. After the program, I contacted
Prof. Kaneko about doing a postdoc in his lab. This
marked the beginning of my journey at OMU.
Thinking back, I embarked in an international careerquite early in my studies and I am very glad that I did.
I’ d say that networking played a crucial role in shaping
my path. It might feel difficult for overseas researchers
to find a host supervisor in Japan. For the SummerProgram, not knowing about the database ofresearchers, I simply Googled based on my research
topic. I didn’ t have much time left, and with many
websites in Japanese and the time difference, I wasafraid of not making it. But I didn't give up and sent
several emails and promptly got some replies. Thenmy PhD supervisor, who knew Prof. Takeda at UTokyo,
suggested that I contacted him. Given the pre-existing
connection and the research background, he was
the best option for me. He accepted my research

Career
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan2023-2025 Standard Program at Osaka Metropolitan University2022-2023 Short-term Program at Osaka Metropolitan University
2019 Summer Program at University of Tokyo】

proposal and helped me tailor it to the lab’ s expertise.
We had a long exchange of emails, ideas, and online
meetings to develop a feasible work plan. I believethat this made our collaboration solid and my applicationstronger. In fact, finding the right lab involves seeking
advice. Having guidance ensures a smoother transition
and better understanding of the work environment.
To prospective fellows, I highly recommend reachingout to your connections in Japan, if you already haveany, or if you don’ t, like me at the time, establishing
new ones and starting familiarising with the Japanese
academic landscape.
Depending on your priorities, you might focus on aparticular field or professor. Or, if you are flexible
about the topic, you might prioritise the location.
There are many ways to choose a lab! Ask your friends,search databases, read papers, find authors. Talk
to colleagues, send emails, and above all, try to gain
an understanding of the environment and atmospherein the lab. Building good relationships is crucial fora positive experience!
Conferences and social media are good platforms toexpand your network. Once a connection is established,
it’ s important to nurture it. Reach out, participate
in lab meetings, be proactive, and show your interest!
Whether in person or online, staying connected is vital.
The Summer Program was an amazing experiencethat fuelled my desire to return to Japan. Back inSweden, although I had to focus on completing myPhD, I stayed in touch with my colleagues in Japan.
At Karolinska Institutet I had the chance to meet
Prof. Kaneko in person and discuss a project proposal.
He welcomed me to join his team, upon securing
my own funding. So, I started looking for grants. I knewthat JSPS had some appealing postdoc programs
and given my positive experience, it was the first
option that came to my mind. I started working onmy project proposal while I was doing my PhD. Upon
graduating, I visited the field in Kenya. This was crucial
to understand the work dynamics and fullycomprehend the research background. I participatedin fieldwork activities while applying to all thefellowships that I could find, although JSPS remained
my target. After a few rejections, including fromJSPS, eventually at the second round I managed tosecure the Short-term (max 1 year) fellowship. This
was a strategic move: while the JSPS Standard
Program (max 2 years) prevents subsequent
applications, Short-term fellows are allowed toapply for the Standard Program. It was a bit of abet, but thankfully my application got approved
and I could secure a total of three years with JSPS.
Compared to other fellowships, which might be tightto a specific location and schedule, I think JSPS offers
more flexibility. In my case for example, I work from
home, the lab, the office, or even from Kenya when I
need to visit the field. As a JSPS researcher, youassociate to your host supervisor’ s university without
being employed by it. This allows for more independence.
I like to think of it as being a freelance researcher!

―Please explain the experience of participating in
JSPS’s multiple fellowship programs and thebenefits you have gained from that:For me, having a global network of friends andcolleagues is one of the best parts of being aresearcher. Compared to my experience in Europe,
it’ s a bit harder to interact with other researchersin Japan, mainly due to the language and the very
tight working schedules of Japanese researchers.
At domestic conferences, most talks are in Japaneseand there are fewer opportunities for mingling.
However, with a bit of perseverance and (politely!)
putting myself forward without too much hesitation,
I’ ve managed to build strong connections. Samegoes for the personal life. Thus, despite the language
barrier and other difficulties, I was able to make valuable
connections through the length of my stay in multiple
programs and through my own efforts and persistence.
I also organized a small poster session at OMU, which
was enthusiastically received by the university faculty.
As my community grows, I manage to stay connected
to my colleagues via the several Alumni associations,
including the JSPS Alumni network.

―What made you decide to develop your career inJapan, and what are the merits of living in Japan,such as convenience of living?
I haven't defined my future plans yet, but I am trying
to make the most out of this unique experience which
extends beyond research. Participating in international
programs such as the JSPS ones is an opportunity to
expand our network, explore new fields and engage
in interdisciplinary projects, while learning aboutanother culture and lifestyle. Thanks to these fellowships,
I’ ve realized that I enjoy fieldwork and international
projects, and I am using the skills and knowledge
that I acquired to drive my career path forward.
Reflecting on my attraction to Japan, I realise thatI’ ve always been drawn to Asia, and particularly toJapan. Its culture and nature have always fascinatedme and growing up watching Japanese anime maybe
played a part too! The Summer Program was a fantastic
experience and definitely nurtured this feeling.
Generally, I enjoy exploring new environments andchallenging myself, for example to adapt to new habits.
Of course, living abroad has also its challenges andsometimes I miss home... However, being immersed
in such a different culture as the Japanese one isprofoundly enriching my life, as I keep on learning
new things that change myself and the way I thinkand live. In fact, I often face situations that surpriseme and force me to reconsider my attitudes. I think
it’ s an amazing opportunity to get to know myself andthe world around me better. Also, I am particularly
enjoying the possibility of safely and easily going almost
anywhere in the country simply by catching a train.
Of course, not to mention the food! As for the language,
although I don’ t need Japanese at work or to survive,
I think it is important to be able to communicate tolocals and to feel more part of the society. Personally,I enjoy being able to express myself and feelindependent. So, I would recommend trying to learn
at least some Japanese, especially for a longer stay.
It will definitely enrich your experience!!
In summary, my experience in Japan has, so far, beenvery fulfilling. Both from a personal and professional
perspective, the time I've spent here and the people
I've met have already profoundly shaped my life andcareer path in a way that I would have never expected.
I am very grateful to JSPS for this opportunity andlooking forward to the years to come!

Kyoto University
Graduate School of Medicine

Richard Veale【―What made you decide to apply for JSPS
Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan,
and to participate in multiple fellowship programs?
During the summer of 2012, I attended a conferencein Sapporo, Hokkaido held by the Cognitive ScienceSociety, which offered a special travel grant. Thatallowed me to spend a week at Professor Isa’s lab,
and then join the JSPS Summer Program at his lab
the following year.
I knew of Professor Isa through his publications anda mutual friend who introduced me, and chose him
as my host researcher because of his global expertisein my field of research. His lab has great resources,international connections, and experience in hosting
researchers from abroad.
To find a host researcher, connections through youradvisor or someone in the host’s network is useful.
Or, a mutual acquaintance can facilitate an introduction,or even befriending Japanese students studying
abroad can help. Building connections can open up
research opportunities and also provide a good networkof friends for when living in Japan.
Some institutions, like Seiriken*1, have good resources,
guest housing, and English-speaking administrative
support, which helps with a long-term stay. Although
platforms like researchmap can help identify relevant
researchers, an introduction is the most reliable methodin the scientific community.
I applied for JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Researchin Japan primarily to work with Professor Isa. Securing
my own funding through JSPS gave me autonomy while
supporting the host researcher financially. JSPS funding

Career2018- Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan
2015-2017 Standard Program at Kyoto University
2014-2015 Short-term Program at National Institute for Physiological2013-2014 Strategic Program at National Institute for Physiological Sciences
2013 Summer Program at National Institute for Physiological Sciences】

was comparable to grants in the US or EU, and offers
relative freedom. This freedom is invaluable to researchers
like me, as it allows you to pursue your own interests.
While some hosts prioritize project completion, othersencourage more exploratory approaches. JSPS grants
provide the flexibility needed for such pursuits.
I had various opportunities to pursue postdoctoral
positions in other countries. While many of these
involved direct hiring by the hosting lab, Japan stoodout as the JSPS program provided more freedom andoffered a prestigious fellowship.
I opted for multiple fellowship programs because they
allowed longer projects, building upon each other.
For instance, I developed a brain simulator in the initial
fellowship, which I then used for stimulation experiments.
As fellowship durations are limited—ranging from
Summer (2 months) to Short-term (1 to 12 months)
to Standard (12 to 24months)—I started with a
one-year term to see what it was like, before applying
for the standard term to delve deeper into the projects
or start new ones. I wanted to continue working on
intriguing projects while enjoying the freedom of thesefellowships. Additionally, my positive experience of living
in Japan during the initial fellowship made me seekother opportunities here.

―Please explain the experience of participating in
JSPS’s multiple fellowship programs andthe benefits you have gained from that.
Participating in multiple JSPS fellowship programs
lets you develop strong networks and invaluable skills.
Writing fellowship proposals is pivotal for a career inresearch, especially when applying for grants like
KAKENHI*2. Even though the JSPS Summer Programis short, I’ve stayed in touch with other participants,
as well as fellows from other programs and fields.

*Image 1

The shared experience fostered friendships thathave lasted, even after becoming a professor.I met
intellectually stimulating individuals and was able
to built a network across scientific disciplines andresearch areas.
This network built through fellowships and the hostresearcher is crucial when organizing collaborations
and applying for grants, which often require collaboration
among diverse researchers. As a faculty member,
I leverage this by inviting them as guest lecturers todiscuss topics like magnetic chip development or
nanotechnology. The network also offers potential forinterdisciplinary research collaboration.
Participating in the JSPS Science Dialogue was highly
beneficial for my career. Engaging with smart andcreative students from Super Science High Schools*3
was both enjoyable and stimulating, and also helpedme communicate effectively and convey complex
concepts. This was a valuable experience that hashelped me present research to diverse audiences.
Also, one dialogue I conducted in Shizuoka led to a
useful link with a former student who founded a leading
robotics company. Moreover, the teachers at Super
Science High Schools*3 often have extensive
connections with former students who may go on to
become renowned professors or CEOs, which can leadto valuable introductions. I have such good memories ofthe JSPS Science Dialogue and its enriching experience.

―What made you decide to develop your careerin Japan, and what are the merits of living in Japan,such as convenience of living?

its end, a professorial position
unexpectedly became available,
presenting a significant career
opportunity, so I took it. If thisposition had not materialized,
I would likely have pursued
opportunities in Europe or returnedto the US, as there were no otherprospects in Japan.
Living in Japan offers many
*Image 2advantages: the convenience ofan outstanding public transit
system; organization and cleanliness; safety forindividuals, families, and women walking outside atnight; a diverse climate; various activities for personalenjoyment, whether skiing in Hokkaido or playing
Frisbee. All this contributes to quality of life here.
I can speak Japanese and use it in both daily life andwork. Japanese is invaluable when working withcompanies, handling administrative tasks, dealing
with landlords, playing sports with Japanese teammates,and so forth. Although English is the norm in researchat the university, daily activities outside the university
require Japanese. I began studying Japanese as anundergraduate, including one year at ICU (InternationalChristian University). As my proficiency improved, it
helped me during subsequent visits to Japan, including
the JSPS Summer Program. Speaking the language
also enhances the overall experience and opens up
opportunities, especially in smaller universities or specifichost labs. In summary, Japanese language ability isvital for thriving in academia and society in Japan.
Japan has many top scientists and researchers, making
it an attractive destination for collaboration, as well
as working with leading companies. The Japanese
government actively supports collaboration with industry
partners and real-world applications, particularly intechnology. It also offers KAKENHI, and it seems tobe easier to get funding for innovative ideas here
than in the US.

*1 National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) of the National
Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS)*2 Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research: competitive research funds in Japan
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-grants/

The decision to build my career in Japan was
somewhat lucky. Initially arriving for a postdoctoral
position, I gradually expanded my networks, including
through the JSPS fellowship. As my fellowship neared*3 Super Science High School (SSH) : The system Ministry of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) specifies for highschools that focus their education on science and math.
*Image 1: Richard Veale with Tadashi Isa and Mee Phonphanphanee (inBangkok, Thailand)*Image 2: Professor Isa’s lab in Okazaki, Aichi circa 2015