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Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher or Research & Development Scientist (T25001)

Laboratory

Drug Discovery Genetically Modified Animal Platform Unit,
RIKEN BioResource Research Center
(Unit Leader: Takanori Amano)

Outline of Laboratory

Our research unit utilizes disease model mice available in the BioResource Research Center to evaluate in vivo relevance of candidate causative factors, thereby contributing to drug discovery and medical research. By applying genome editing technologies, we generate genetically engineered mouse models that closely reflect human disease conditions by incorporating patient-relevant genetic modifications to enhance clinical predictability. Through the development of innovative disease model mice and the creation of novel drug discovery seeds, we aim to translate disease research into medical and societal benefits.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher or Research & Development Scientist : 1 position

Postdoctoral Researcher
The Postdoctoral Researcher position is one in which the researcher independently does their own research under the guidance of a higher ranking staff member. You will be laying the foundation to advance your research autonomously as a researcher in the future.
Research & Development Scientist
As a Research & Development Scientist, you will possess definite experience and outcomes and autonomously carry out research projects while consulting with your supervisor.

Job description

This position involves the development and phenotypic analysis of disease model mice to investigate the functions of disease-associated genes and validate drug target candidates. Genome editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 are used to knock-out disease-related genes or to knock-in human pathogenic variants into mice. Phenotypic evaluations of the generated disease model mice include immunostaining and histopathological analysis of tissue sections, clinical assessments such as blood and urine tests, and molecular analyses such as gene and protein expression profiling. Basic knowledge of genetics and experience in laboratory animal handling are required for genetic management of mouse strains and experimental design. For clinically relevant models, further studies will be conducted to elucidate disease mechanisms and to explore therapeutic potential through in vivo drug testing.

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

Qualification

The candidate should possess a doctoral degree in a related field (or expect to obtain by the start date), and preferably have research experience using animal models.

  • 1.Postdoctoral Researchers should have less than 5 years since acquiring their PhD (Those who expect to have their PhD by the time they are hired are also eligible)
  • 2.Research & Development Scientists should have 5 years or more research experience from acquiring their PhD
  • 3.Understand the importance of bioresource infrastructure projects as essential research infrastructure and have a strong desire to carry out those projects, along with being able to tackle them autonomously and proactively.

Work location

RIKEN Tsukuba Campus (3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan)
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

  • 1.Both positions are fixed term contract employees with single fiscal year contracts. Following an evaluation, they may be re-contracted up to June 30, 2028.
  • 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. The monthly base salary is 327,200 JPY as of April 1, 2025 for a Postdoctoral Researcher, 384,000-458,500 JPY for a Research & Development Scientist. 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 367,925JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher and 459,565 JPY for Research & Development Scientist.
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 may require changes of responsibilities, job category, and workplace based on RIKEN regulations due to management decisions, budgetary situation, and organizational restructuring.

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 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, in principle. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at brc-jinji@ml.riken.jp

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1. CV or CV (with photo and email address)
    • *Write the open call ID “T25001”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in open call ID section in the upper right corner of your CV.
  • 2.List of research achievement (Please describe any original articles; review articles and authored works; patents; prizes; invited lectures; acquisition of external funds, or others)
  • 3.Reprint or copies of representative papers (3 or fewer)
  • 4.Summary of research outcomes and duties until present (Please keep the summary within two A4 pages and use 12 pt font in Times New Roman)
  • 5.One's aspirations after being hired (Please keep within two A4 pages and use 12 pt font in Times New Roman)
  • 6.Two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from your current supervisor (The seal or signature of the person making the recommendation, along with the date, is necessary. Contact information for the person making a recommendation (Full name, affiliation, job title, phone number, email address). If you are having difficulty getting a recommendation from your current supervisor, you may use a recommendation letter from a third party. Letters of recommendation should be addressed to "Director of the RIKEN BioResource Research Center.")
  • 7.Certificate of degree (copy of diploma is also fine) or a certificate of expected completion of degree
  • 8.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR

How to apply

Other documents for submission aside from recommendation letters should be compiled into PDF and then uploaded from the link below.

"Submission of application documents for Postdoctoral Researcher or Research & Development Scientist, Drug Discovery Genetically Modified Animal Platform Unit (T25001)"

  • Make sure to include your full name and the Open Call ID (T25001) in the name of the file
  • Make sure to enter your email address when uploading the file
  • Make sure to email the name of the uploaded file to brc-jinji@ml.riken.jp when the upload has finished

The person making a recommendation should directly submit the letter of recommendation

  • The file name should be in this format: "Recommendation letter for (Full name of applicant) Open call for Postdoctoral Researcher or Research & Development Scientist, Drug Discovery Genetically Modified Animal Platform Unit (T25001) " Upload the file to the link below after confirming that the applicant's full name is in the body of the document and the name and contact of the person making the recommendation (affiliation, job title, phone number, email address).

"Submission of application documents for Postdoctoral Researcher or Research & Development Scientist, Drug Discovery Genetically Modified Animal Platform Unit (T25001)"

  • Make sure to enter your email address when uploading the file
  • Make sure to email the name of the uploaded file to brc-jinji@ml.riken.jp when the upload has finished
  • * If you do not receive an email confirming receipt of the documents, there is a possibility that the application documents were not received. If that happens, please make an inquiry.
  • *Please contact us if you are unable to upload the documents due to malfunction or other.
  • *Incomplete documents may not be accepted.
  • *Please understand that submitted documents will not be returned

Deadline

July 1, 2025 (application to reach RIKEN by this date)

Notification of hiring decision

The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of a Fixed-term Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

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 a document screening, an interview examination will be conducted only for those who pass the screening.
A 20-minute presentation using materials will be held at the interview screening.
Content of the presentation: Self-introduction, research achievements, future research plans, one's aspirations

Start of Employment

November 1, 2025

Remarks

Note: We will not respond to questions about the screening content

Contact Information

Please send your inquiries by email. We will not take phone inquiries. Please use this subject line: Application for Postdoctoral Researcher or Research & Development Scientist, Drug Discovery Genetically Modified Animal Platform Unit (T25001)"

Inquiries regarding job duties:
Takanori Amano, Ph.D.
Unit Leader, Drug Discovery Genetically Modified Animal Platform Unit
BioResource Research Center, RIKEN
Email: takanori.amano@riken.jp

Other inquiries:
Email: brc-jinji@ml.riken.jp

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