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Seeking a few Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (W24327)

Laboratory

Biophenomena Engineering RIKEN ECL Research Team
RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute (New name from April 1, 2025)
(RIKEN ECL Team Leader: Makoto Saito)

Outline of Laboratory

The Biophenomena Engineering RIKEN ECL Research Team aims to establish novel therapeutics for hard-to-treat diseases by investigating the wealth of biological processes and modifying cells using molecular tools derived from unique biological systems. To achieve this goal, we are mining novel biological systems from databases using AI-driven tools, characterizing their functions through biochemical analysis, engineering them as molecular tools, and applying these novel tools in disease models. Recently, we are actively working on RNA-guided systems, such as the well-known CRISPR-Cas, which is widely used for genome editing technology, aiming to more precisely regulate biological processes involving DNA and RNA.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: a few positions

In principle, Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.
Research Scientist is defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.
The applicant will be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability, aptitude, etc.

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.

Job description

The successful candidate will investigate novel CRISPR-Cas-like RNA-guided systems and other uncharacterized biological systems using molecular biology, and biochemical methods. The candidate is also expected to engineer the systems as molecular tools for therapeutic applications.

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

Qualifications

  • A person who can work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment.
  • 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.
  • Research Scientist: A person who has obtained a PhD five or more years ago, or, someone with similar qualifications.
  • While experience in molecular biology, bioengineering or bioinformatics is preferred, individuals with a PhD in various other fields, including synthetic biology, microbiology, structural biology, chemical biology, or neuroscience, are also encouraged to apply.

Work location

Biophenomena Engineering RIKEN ECL Research Team, RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)

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. Postdoctoral Researcher: one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, within a period of 5 years from date of hire.
    Research Scientist: one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to December 31, 2031 from date of hire (research evaluation will be conducted in the fourth year).
  • 2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load 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. The monthly base salary is 384,000 JPY for a Research Scientist, and 327,200 JPY for a 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:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 431,790 JPY for Research Scientist and 367,925 JPY 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.

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@riken.jp.

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.

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

How to apply

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

RIKEN/CPR file upload box

After you uploaded the file, please notify the file name to the email address at contact information below.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the link above with the file name "W24327_ [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.
After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please notify the file name to the email address at contact information below.

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact to the same email address.
Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Open 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

After application documents are screened, only the successful candidates will be asked to have an interview.

Start of Employment

April 1, 2025 or later (Negotiable)

Remarks

Updated as of March 5, 2025:　"Salary and benefits"

Contact Information

RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research
Biophenomena Engineering RIKEN ECL Research Team
Makoto Saito
Email:makoto.saito@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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