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Seeking a few Research Scientists, Postdoctoral Researchers (25-730)

Laboratory

Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Laboratory head: Reina Komiya)

Outline of Laboratory

We need to increase crop productivity and keep the yields stable under harsh environments, including global warming. Our research focuses on the reproductive roles of numerous NON-coding RNAs, which don’t encode protein, in crop sciences. This research aim is to elucidate the reproductive non-coding RNA system in plants and the importance of non-coding genomic regions that are ubiquitously present in higher organisms. As a final goal, we intend to develop the RNA regulation devices via functional RNAs that are respectively adapted under various environments.

For more information, please refer to the following link:
Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Research Scientist or/and Postdoctoral Researcher, 1-2 positions

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated research scientist and/or postdoctoral researcher to join the JST FOREST-funded project “Creation of Customizable Rice Using Reproductive Non-coding RNAs,” which focuses on reproductive biology in rice, one of the world’s major crop species. The project aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying different reproductive modes—vegetative propagation (asexual reproduction) and seed propagation (sexual reproduction)—by using both wild and cultivated rice.

An overview of FOREST can be found at the following link:
Researchers & Program Officer | Fusion Oriented Research for disruptive Science and Technology | JST

This project, part of the JST FOREST program “Creation of Customizable Rice Using Reproductive Non-coding RNAs,” is scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2028.

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

The duties of the position as a job title are as follows:

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

Qualification

Both positions

  • Holding a Ph.D. in molecular biology, agricultural science, or a related field.
  • Having research experience in molecular biology and/or data science (e.g., bioinformatics).
  • Highly motivated to work on plant reproductive research using rice.
  • Working on crop reproduction projects with enthusiasm and a strong sense of responsibility.
  • Cooperating with other lab members and helping them in their projects.

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 Yokohama Campus
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
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, up to maximum March 31, 2028.
    For the postdoctoral researcher position, however, the maximum term allowed at CSRS is 5 years. If the 5-year period ends before the above maximum contract date, the 5-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.

If you wish to continue working at RIKEN after your termination of contract, you may apply for open positions including those in our laboratory.

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 Research Scientist, and 327,200 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher. 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 monthly 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 460,000 JPY.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with experience, ability, and achievement immediately after the completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 360,000 JPY.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the telecommuting system is not available for this position, in principle. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at reina.komiya@riken.jp.

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 (caring for a sick child, 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.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

  • *Eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003
  • *Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

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 childcare facility, RIKEN Kids Yokohama, is on the Yokohama Campus.
For details, please contact the General Administration Section, Yokohama Operations Division, Safety and Campus Operations Group at: kids-yk-hr@ml.riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1.CompleteCV or CV
    • *Please write Open-call [ID 25-730] and the position you are applying for.
    • *Please use the format above.
  • 2.List of research achievements (Publications, Presentations, awards and others.)
    • *Please submit the PDF of one paper related to this application.
    • *Including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available.
  • 3.Previous research and future research plan
  • 4.A letter of recommendation from the PI of current laboratory
    • *The letter should be addressed to the Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Director.
    • *A recommendation from a third party is allowed when it is difficult for the candidate to obtain a recommendation from the PI of current laboratory.
    • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
  • 5.Certificate of graduation of the most recent education, or a copy of Diploma
  • 6.Contact detail of one or two reference (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
  • 7.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
    • *If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, you are required to submit the document, " Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)" with your signature.

How to apply

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

Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science(25-730)

The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (reina-komiya@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 subject line " Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team, research scientist /postdoctoral researcher [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science(25-730)

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (reina-komiya@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: reina-komiya@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.
  • *Only those candidates who pass the document screening will be notified by email within a week 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 and interview for selected applicants (face-to-face or remote).

Notification of hiring decision

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

Start of Employment

Start date: At the earliest mutually agreeable date after the selection

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team
Email: reina.komiya@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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