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Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (K24101)

Laboratory

Human Biomimetic System RIKEN Hakubi Research Team
Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
(Laboratory head: Masaya Hagiwara)

Outline of Laboratory

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 Research Scientist or Postdoctoral fellows recruited through this call will collaborate with the laboratories listed below within the RIKEN BDR. The aim is to achieve an advanced integration of developmental biology and engineering to construct novel in vitro biological systems derived from stem cells.

Associated Laboratories:

Human Biomimetic System RIKEN Hakubi Research Team aims to reconstruct the original morphology and functions of organs by guiding the autonomous self-organization of cells through the control of the culture environment—such as cell population shapes, ECM localization, and concentration gradients of morphogens—to mimic the in vivo environment.
Laboratory for Lung Development and Regeneration conducts research on the generation of lung organoids from pluripotent and tissue stem cells, tissue repair and regeneration phenomena in adult lungs, and the mechanisms underlying respiratory diseases.
Laboratory for Human Organogenesis focuses on creating organoids of primarily urological organs (kidneys, ureters, and bladders) from human ES/iPS cells and is working toward their maturation, functionalization, and integration.

We welcome informal inquiries and laboratory visits prior to application.
Reference: Organoid Project

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: 1 position

Position-specific tasks are as follows:

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

Job Description

By fostering collaboration among multiple laboratories specializing in organoid research, we aim to advance the development of mini-organs with complex morphologies from stem cells and the construction of integrated biological systems. In partnership with various research groups, researchers will tackle the following key challenges:

  • 1.Formation of complex organoids by mimicking developmental environments in vitro
  • 2.Construction of novel in vitro models for connecting different organoids
  • 3.Maturation of organoids through vascular induction

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.
Research Scientist
A PhD holder in the area related to the Job description.
Postdoctoral Researcher
A PhD holder who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years in the area related to the Job description. Including those who expect to obtain a doctoral degree before starting the position.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (Kobe Campus-East-West)
6-7-1 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047 (Integrated Innovation Building)

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 2026(March 31).
  • 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 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 for Research Scientist is 361,000 JPY, and for Postdoctoral Researcher is 305,100. 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 406,000 JPY or more for Research Scientist, and 343,000 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher.

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.

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

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1.Complete CV or CV
    • *Email address is required.
    • *Application Number[K24101] and position to apply (e.g.: Research Scientist) 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.Two letters 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.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR

How to apply

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

(K24101) Application for Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher of the position of Human Biomimetic System RIKEN Hakubi Research Team

The uploaded file name should contain the job ad number “K24101” 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@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name " Human Biomimetic System RIKEN Hakubi Research Team [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

(K24101) Application for Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher of the position of Human Biomimetic System RIKEN Hakubi Research Team

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (kobe-jobs@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@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 (Negotiable)

Contact information

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

* If you have any research-related questions, please contact masaya.hagiwara@riken.jp (Human Biomimetic Sysstem RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, Dr. Hagiwara)

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