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Seeking a few Research Scientists, Postdoctoral Researchers (CSRS-2404)

Laboratory

Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team (to be established on Sep. 1,2024)
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Laboratory head: Reina Komiya)

Research Field

We need to increase crop productivity and keep the yields stable under harsh environments, including global warming. Our research focuses on the reproductive roles of numerous NON-coding RNAs, which don’t encode protein, in crop sciences. This research aim is to elucidate the reproductive non-coding RNA system in plants and the importance of non-coding genomic regions that are ubiquitously present in higher organisms. As a final goal, we intend to develop the RNA regulation devices via functional RNAs that are respectively adapted under various environments.

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Postdoctoral Researcher or/and Research Scientist, Two positions

Job description

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated research scientist and/or postdoctoral researcher to conduct "Rice Reproduction Research".

The difference in positions is as follows:

Research Scientist
Conducts laboratory research programs and others.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Receives developmental guidance from supervisor and conducts laboratory research programs.

Core Job Responsibilities of Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Researcher

  • PROJECT I: Cell-to-cell Communication through Mobile Signals in Stamen Development.
  • PROJECT II: Reproductive Strategy in Environmental Response using the Cultivated and Wild Rice.

These projects are expected to end on 31 March 2030.
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualification

  • 1)Working on plant reproductive projects with high motivation.
  • 2)Cooperating with other lab members and helping them in their projects.
Research Scientist
  • A person who has obtained a PhD five or more years ago, or, someone with similar qualifications.
  • A person who has research experience in molecular biology or/and data science
  • A person mentoring and training less experienced members of the lab for technical details of experimental methods, and data analyses
Postdoctoral Researcher
  • A person who has obtained a PhD within the past five years, or, one who is able to obtain a degree by the start of their post.
  • A person who has research experience in molecular biology or/and data science
    • *From the viewpoint of career development at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, the tenure as a RIKEN Postdoctoral Researcher is within five years in principle.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Yokohama Campus)
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan

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 of the end of FY 2029 (March 31, 2030).
    Maximum employment duration for a Postdoctoral Researcher is 5 years. (Please note that from the viewpoint of career development, the tenure of a Postdoctoral Researcher at RIKEN will not, in principle, be reappointed for a period exceeding five years.)
  • 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.
  • 3.In principle, the center is set to continue its research to the end of the Mid- to Long-term Plan (7 years from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2025).
    However, if it is decided that the research project with which the Employee is involved will not be continued, the above provision on continuation of the “research center, laboratory or project” applies and there will be no re-employment for FY 2025 (from April 1, 2025)

If you wish to continue working at RIKEN after your termination of contract, you may apply for open positions.

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. The monthly base salary is 355,000 JPY for Research Scientist, and 300,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, as of April 1, 2024. 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:

Research Scientist
The annual salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 5,200,000 JPY.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The annual salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 4,100,000 JPY.

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.
Smoking will be entirely prohibited on site from April 2024.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

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.

The childcare facility, RIKEN Kids Yokohama, is on the Yokohama Campus.
For details, please contact the Welfare Group in the Human Resources Section, Administrative Division, Yokohama Campus at: kids-yk-hr [at] ml.riken.jp.

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003 , and eligible 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 csrs-hr [at] riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

[Research Scientist]

[Postdoctoral Researcher]

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following website:

For Research Scientist position, Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team, RIKEN CSRS

The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (csrs-hr [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 " Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team, research scientist [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

For Research Scientist position, Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team, RIKEN CSRS

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After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (csrs-hr [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: csrs-hr [at] riken.jp.

If the submission requirements are not met, your application will not be received.

Deadline

Open until the position is filled

  • *Application documents will not be returned.
  • *Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email after document screening.

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

Application screening and interview for selected applicants (face-to-face or remote).

Start of Employment

September 1, 2024 (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Komiya Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team
Email: csrs-hr [at] riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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