Laboratory

Laboratory for Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate Decision
RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
(Laboratory head: Yumi Konagaya)

Research Field

The Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) views the functions of molecules, cells, and organs that support all life stages of organisms as a dynamic system, and aims to elucidate developmental, growth and aging phenomena as well as apply their findings to develop regenerative medicine and diagnostics, thereby contributing to the extension of healthy life expectancies.

The Laboratory for Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate Decision, is recruiting research employees to carry out a new theme. The research overview of the laboratory is shown below.

Tissue homeostasis relies on constant tissue renewal, notably within the rapidly regenerating intestinal epithelium. Precise control of cell proliferation during differentiation is critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis, as its disruptions lead to atrophy or cancer. Our research focuses on elucidating how cell proliferation and differentiation are orchestrated in the intestinal epithelium. In particular, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the cell fate decision of intestinal epithelial stem cells by live imaging of mouse intestinal organoids, multiplexed tissue imaging, and quantitative analyses.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Associates: a few positions

Position-specific tasks are as follows:

Postdoctoral Researcher

Carry out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship and training of supervisors.

Research Associate

Carry out the research in the laboratory under the direction of their supervisor.

Job Description

We are recruiting researchers to study one of the following topics:
(1) Mouse intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation, (2) Mechanical sensing in mouse intestinal epithelium, (3) Development of fluorescent reporters using protein structure modeling, etc.
The successful candidate is also expected to manage one’s research experiments, write research papers, and collaborate with researchers in and out of the laboratory.
We welcome individuals who are enthusiastic about leveraging the strengths of our team and introducing new perspectives and methodologies into our research. Please feel free to contact Team Leader Yumi Konagaya at yumi.konagaya[at]riken.jp.

The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualification

Common to all positions

A person who is able to dedicate themselves to the job by communicating, coordinating and collaborating smoothly with people in and out of the laboratory.

Postdoctoral Researcher

A PhD holder who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years in the area related to the Job description.

Research Associate

A master’s degree holder in the area related to the Job description or a person recognized as having equal ability. A person who also actively pursues PhD in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Research Scientist.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (Kobe Campus-East-West)
2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047 (Developmental Biology Buildings)

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

• 1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum 5 years since the initial date of hire.
• 2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, workload at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.

*Research Associate: Upon evaluation, whether or not the employee actively pursues PhD in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Research Scientist, will be judged.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period.
Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. As of April 1, 2024, the monthly base salary is 300,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 244,500 JPY for the Research Associate. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations. Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 337,185 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 274,815 JPY for the Research Associate.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (childcare, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment).
There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
No smoking on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

The Kobe Branch has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe. For details, please send an email to the HR at kobe-kosei [at] riken.jp.

RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity, and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before the fiscal year 2003, and eligible for applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

*RIKEN has a work-from-home system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the work-from-home system is not available for this position. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

• 1.Complete CV or CV
  • *Email address is required.
  • *Application Number [BDR-23-038] and position to apply (e.g.: Postdoctoral Researcher) should be clearly written at top-right in the margin.
  • *Format is free. Or the format attached is available.
• 2.List of research achievement and publications (Please categorize: Original article, Review article, Book, Conference presentation, Others)
• 3.Summary of past research and the result (about 2 pages of A4 paper)
• 4.Plans for the future research once appointed (about 1 page of A4 paper)
• 5.Acquisition of competitive external funds (e.g. Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) (Please write: Representative, Contribution)
• 6.one letter of recommendation (including one from the current supervisor, If available)
  • *The recommendation letters should be addressed to “Center Director, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research”.
  • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number and email address)
  • *If it is difficult to obtain the recommendation letters from immediate manager or current supervisor, please obtain a letter from a third party.
  • *The referee should not be a person who belongs to the laboratory you apply for.
• 7.Certificate of degree awarded, Certificate of graduation from the last school, diploma(copy) or graduation certificate from the last school (copy)
• 8.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR.
  If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR" with your signature.

  *You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
  Data protection | European Commission

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single PDF or ZIP file should be uploaded to the following website:
(BDR-23-038) Application for Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Associates of laboratory for Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate Decision

• The uploaded file name should contain the job ad number “BDR-23-038” and the applicant’s name.
• When you upload the file, your contact email address is required.
• After you uploaded the file, please let us (kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following website with the file name "Laboratory for Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate Decision [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.
(BDR-23-038) Application for Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Associates of laboratory for Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate Decision

• After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us ( kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
• If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

We will examine application documents as they are accepted. Application will be closed as soon as the position is filled.

Handling Personal Data

Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening at RIKEN. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

Selection process

Selection will be made based on application screening and interview. After documents screening, only successful applicants will be invited for interview. No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Start of Employment

As soon as possible after May, but negotiable

Contact Information

For inquiries on this open position, please contact below by email:
Human Resources Section, Kobe Administrative Division, Kobe Branch, RIKEN
Email: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp

*If you have any research-related questions, please contact yumi.konagaya [at] riken.jp (Laboratory for Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate Decision, Dr. Yumi Konagaya)