1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Job Openings

Seeking Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (Y24036)

Laboratory

Plant Lipid Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Team Leader: Nakamura Yuki)

Research Field

Lipids are the most predominant yet diverse biological molecule, with multiple biological function in cellular membranes, signal transduction, and energy storage. Using seed plants and green microalgae as primary model systems, our research team investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of plant lipids to address the lipid-derived molecular mechanism underlying growth and developmental control. We aim at resolving outstanding or totally unknown biological problems in plant science from the lipid viewpoint and providing a clue to knowledge-based solution towards low carbon society.

For more information, please refer to the following links:

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, one or two positions

Job description

Mainly involved in the research project GteX on the elucidation of molecular mechanism and metabolic engineering of the plant lipid metabolism and accumulation. Other commitment includes but not limited to performing/assisting experiments on plant lipid biochemistry / molecular biology / engineering and supervision of junior staffs/students. The project is expected to end on 31 March 2028.

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

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

Qualification

The candidate should have:

  • PhD degree with biology or agriculture by the time of job commencement.
  • An ability to smoothly communicate and cooperate with other collaborators inside and out of the laboratory to facilitate the progress of collaborative research projects.
  • English proficiency to conduct and publicize research at a professional level.

The preferred candidate should have:

  • Research experience in plant science, agriculture, lipid biology, or analytical metabolomics.
Research Scientist
A person who obtained a PhD five or more years ago, or, one with similar qualifications.
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.

*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 March 31, 2028.
    For the postdoctoral researcher position, however, the maximum term allowed at CSRS is 5 years. If the five-year period ends before the above maximum contract date, the five-year deadline takes precedence. In case an applicant for the postdoctoral position is currently working, or has previously worked, as a postdoctoral researcher at RIKEN, the total period of that employment as a postdoctoral researcher will be 5-year maximum in total.
  • 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.

Those who wish to continue working at RIKEN beyond this point 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 361,000 JPY for a Research Scientist and 305,100 JPY for a 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 monthly salary including discretionary work allowance for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 440,000 to 470,000 JPY.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance for a candidate with 1 year of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 350,000 to 420,000 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 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).

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:

Application documents for Research Scientist or Postdoc, Plant Lipid Research Team, RIKEN CSRS

After you upload the ZIP file, please inform us (ayako.sato@riken.jp).

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following website with the file name "applicant’s name_Recommendation_ Referee’s name)".
Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

Application documents for Research Scientist or Postdoc, Plant Lipid Research Team, RIKEN CSRS

  • If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: ayako.sato@riken.jp.
  • If the submission requirements are not met, your application will not be processed.

Deadline

Open until the position is filled

  • *Note: Application documents will not be returned.
  • *Note: 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

Following initial document screening, short-listed candidates will be interview including research presentation (in-person or online).

Start of Employment

As early as possible (Negotiable)

Contact Information

Plant Lipid Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Email: ayako.sato [at] riken.jp

Top