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Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (W24272)

Laboratory

Biomacromolecules Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Team Director: Keiji Numata)

Outline of Laboratory

The Biomacromolecules Research Team aim to create protein/peptide-based materials such as artificial spider silks as well as to develop peptide nano-carriers for the transformation and modification of intact plants, plant cells, and photosynthetic bacteria.

For more details, please refer to the following website.
Numata Laboratory, RIKEN CSRS Biomacromolecules Research Team

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, 1 position

*The applicant will be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability, aptitude, etc.

Job description

Perform research projects related to biopolymer science using peptides and structural proteins including the following:
Develop nanocarriers for selective delivery of nucleic acids and proteins, design new polymeric materials based on fundamental research to improve biodegradability and stability, and for the modification of plants and microorganisms to create bio-based products. Carry out research in cooperation with international and domestic collaborators.

Postdoctoral Researcher: Receives developmental guidance from supervisor and conducts laboratory research programs.

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

Qualification

The candidate is expected to speak and write English fluently, to have practical experience and research expertise in one or more of the following areas: organic synthesis, polymer synthesis, polymer degradation, and biocompatibility testing.
The candidate is expected to communicate effectively with other lab members including domestic and international collaborators, and facilitate collaborative research with them.

Research Scientist
A person who has obtained a PhD 5 or more years ago, or, someone with similar qualifications.
Postdoctoral Researcher
A person who has obtained a PhD within the past 5 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 5 years in principle.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (Wako Campus)
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
Or
Tsuruoka Base（Tsuruoka Industrial Support Centre）：246-2 Kakuganji Mizukami, Tsuruoka Metabolome Campus, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata, 997-0052, 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 the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment.
    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 5 years.) Those who wish to continue working at RIKEN beyond this point may apply for open positions.
  • 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.

In principle, the first 2 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 365,800 JPY for Research Scientist, and 310,100 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, as of April 1, 2025. 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 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 440,000 JPY.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 1 year of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 350,000 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 Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to the HR at kids [at] 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 enzyme-recruitment [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 sent to the address (enzyme-recruitment [at] riken.jp).

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the address (enzyme-recruitment [at] riken.jp) with the file name " Biomacromolecules Research Team, [Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher] [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

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 those candidates who pass the document screening will be notified by email within 2 weeks after the submission of the documents.

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, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants (face-to-face or remote).

Start of Employment

April 1, 2025 (Negotiable)

Remarks

Updated as of April 15, 2025: "Work location"

Contact Information / Send application to

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Biomacromolecules Research Team
Email: enzyme-recruitment [at] riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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