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Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (25-1577)

Laboratory

Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
(Team Director: Ichiro Taniuchi)

Outline of Laboratory

Our laboratory aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation of immune cells, with a particular focus on gene regulation by transcription factors, in order to uncover the molecular basis of disease development. Specifically, by developing novel methods for detecting interactions between biomolecules and understanding the mechanisms that establish immune tolerance, we seek to propose a new concept in establishing immune system and contribute to the advancement of human health through the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: 1 position

Job description

Engaged in research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that regulate immune cell development. This includes the development and application of novel technologies for detecting interactions between biomolecules, the advancement of in vivo gene correction methods, and the establishment of strategies to control immune tolerance against exogenous antigens. These should be conducted in close collaboration with surrounding researchers.

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: 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.

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. Proficiency in English communication is also a plus.
  • Possess sufficient experience in multicolor flow cytometry analysis.
  • Possess knowledge or technical skills in basic omics analysis methods using NGS (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, scRNA-seq, etc.).
Research Scientist
A doctoral degree awarded at least 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].
Postdoctoral Researcher
A doctoral degree awarded less than 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].

Work location

RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (Yokohama Campus)
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, 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, to a maximum of March 31, 2029.
  • 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 are 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.
Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.
The approximate amount of salary at the time of employment:

Research Scientist
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 431,000 JPY or more.
For a candidate who finished their PhD approximately 5 years ago and has the appropriate experience, skills and track record, the monthly pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 510,000 JPY/month.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 367,000 JPY or more.
For a candidate who joins RIKEN immediately after finishing their PhD, the monthly pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 400,000 JPY/month.

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 ichiro.taniuchi@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 to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

The Yokohama Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Yokohama. For details, please send an email to kids-yk-hr@ml.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.

Application and required documents

Required documents

Prepare the documents below as PDF files and follow the instructions in [How to Apply] to submit them. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • 1.Complete CV or CV with email address (Also indicate the desired position (e.g., Research Scientist) and the open call ID [25-1577] in the upper right corner of the CV.)
    • *Using the RIKEN format above is appreciated.
  • 2.List of research achievement and publications (articles, reviews and books), presentations, etc. in the past 5 years (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
  • 3.Brief description of previous research and achievements, and future research plans (maximum of two A4-size pages).
  • 4.Recommendation Letter (1)
    • -The signature (or seal) of the person providing the recommendation is required. Also, the contact information for that person (including his/her name, affiliation, position, phone number and email) must be included in the recommendation.
    • -If it is difficult to obtain a recommendation letter from the current supervisor, a recommendation from a third party will be accepted. The letter of recommendation should be addressed to the “Director of the Center for Integrative Medical Sciences.”
    • -The person providing the recommendation is required to upload his /her the letter to the link “IMS Submission Box” stated below.
  • 5.PhD/ degree diploma
  • 6.List of competitive external funds obtained (e.g., Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research [Kakenhi]; indicate whether you are the representative researcher or the collaborator)
  • 7.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letter should be converted to PDF and uploaded to the following website after these files are combined into a single ZIP file:

RIKEN/IMS Application Box

  • Zip file name: 25-1577_Position Title_Applicant’s name
  • The file name of each PDF file: 25-1577_Position Title_Applicant’s name_submitted document No.

Notes:

*When you upload your application documents by a ZIP file via BOX, please make sure to input your contact email address.
Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following website with the subject line "25-1577_[applicant’s name] ". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter. Also, the referees need to input own contact email address when they upload their recommendation letters to the below link. Please request your referees to confirm their recommendation letters are addressed to “Director of the Center for Integrative Medical Sciences” before uploading.

RIKEN/IMS Submission Box

The file name of each PDF file: 25-1577_Applicant’s name

  • Note1: All the submitted documents will not be returned.
  • Note2:Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted via email after document screening.

Deadline

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

Selection will be made based on application screening and interviews.(Face-to-Face or Remote)
RIKEN does not cover the travel expense for the interview.

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

April 1, 2026 (negotiable)

Contact Information

Recruiting staff for RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
Research Personnel Affairs Section, Human Resources Strategy Division
Human Resources Group
Email: IMS-recruit@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

Inquiry for research-related:
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation
Team Director: Ichiro Taniuchi
Email: ichiro.taniuchi@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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