1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Job Openings

Seeking Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (Y24032)

Laboratory

Epigenome Dynamics RIKEN ECL Research Team
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
(RIKEN ECL Team Leader: Shihori Yokobayashi)

Research Field

Epigenome states are dynamically regulated during the development of an individual and throughout its life, but to what extent diversity (e.g., cell-to-cell heterogeneity and individual differences) emerges during the establishment and maintenance of epigenome state is not known. We aim to understand the molecular basis of epigenome diversity and its effects on the response to environmental cues or cell fate changes through cell- and tissue-level analyses using mammals, including humans. In the future, we want to explore the link between epigenome diversity and individual phenotypic diversity in disease susceptibility and other areas.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: 2 positions

Job description

The candidate will engage in research aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in epigenome diversity (heterogeneity) and their impact on phenotypic diversity (heterogeneity) using human pluripotent stem cells and other mammalian systems. The research will also focus on the analyses of WGS, epigenome, and other omics data.

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

The difference in positions is as follows:

Research Scientist
Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship and training of supervisors.

Qualification

Common to all positions

  • Those who can communicate smoothly with collaborators both inside and outside the research team and work collaboratively.
  • The candidate should possess sufficient research experience in molecular biology, developmental biology, germ cell biology, epigenetics, or bioinformatics.

Research Scientist

  • A doctoral degree awarded at least 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].

Postdoctoral Researcher

  • A doctoral degree awarded less than 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].

Work location

RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (Yokohama Campus)
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, 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 until at maximum of July 31, 2031, the end of team establishment period. For Postdoctoral Researcher, a one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 3 years of employment, however, the employment period is not to exceed the team establishment period, July 31, 2031.
  • 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.A review of FY2025 IMS projects is scheduled for FY2024. If it is determined the project will not continue, the maximum period for contract renewals may change.

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 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
For a candidate who finished their PhD approximately 5 years ago and has the appropriate experience, skills and track record, the annual pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 5.8 million yen/year.
Postdoctoral Researcher
For a candidate who joins RIKEN immediately after finishing their PhD, the annual pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 4.5 million yen/year.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
These positions fall 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 is entirely prohibited on site.
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 Yokohama Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Yokohama. For details, please send an email to the HR 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 ims-planning [at] riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

Prepare the documents below as PDF files and follow the instructions in [How to Apply] to submit them. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • 1.CV or CVwith photograph and email address (Also indicate the desired position (e.g., Research Scientist) and the open call ID [Y24032] in the upper right corner of the CV.)
    • *Using the RIKEN format above is appreciated.
  • 2.List of publications (articles, reviews and books), presentations, etc. in the past 5 years.
  • 3.Brief description of previous research and achievements, and future research plans (maximum of two A4-size pages).
  • 4.Recommendation Letter (1)
    • -The signature (or seal) of the person providing the recommendation is required. In the case of a scanned or digital signature or a recommendation sent by email, the contact information for that person must be included.
    • -If it is difficult to obtain a recommendation letter from the current supervisor, a recommendation from a third party will be accepted. The letter of recommendation should be addressed to the “Director of the Center for Integrative Medical Sciences.”
    • -The person providing the recommendation is required to upload his /her the letter to the URL “IMS Submission Box” stated below.
  • 5.PhD/ master’s degree diploma
  • 6.List of competitive external funds obtained (e.g., Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research [Kakenhi]; indicate whether you are the representative researcher or the collaborator)
  • 7.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letter should be converted to PDF and uploaded to the following link after these files are combined into a single ZIP file:

RIKEN/IMS Application Box

  • Zip file name: Y24032_Position Title_Applicant’s name
  • The file name of each PDF file: Y24032_Position Title_Applicant’s name_submitted document No.

Notes:

*When you upload your application documents by a ZIP file via BOX, please make sure to input your contact email address.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the subject line "Y24032_[applicant’s name] ". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter. Also, the referees need to input own contact email address when they upload their recommendation letters to the below link. Please request your referees to confirm their recommendation letters are addressed to “Director of the Center for Integrative Medical Sciences” before uploading.

RIKEN/IMS Submission Box

The file name of each PDF file: Y24032_Applicant’s name

Notes:

  • All the submitted documents will not be returned.
  • Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted via email after document screening.

Deadline

Until 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 interviews.(Face-to-Face or Remote)

Note: RIKEN will not cover interview travel expenses.

Start of Employment

Earliest date possible after August 1, 2024 (negotiable)

Contact Information

Recruiting staff for RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
Administrative Division, RIKEN Yokohama Branch
Email: IMS-recruit [at] riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
Promotion Office
Email: ims-planning [at] riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

Top