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Seeking a Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, Technical Scientist or Research Associate (25-2185)

Laboratory

Life Science Data Sharing Unit
Infrastructure Research and Development Division
RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters
(Unit Leader: Shuichi Onami)

Outline of Laboratory

Life Science Data Sharing Unit promotes open science in the life sciences by collecting and integrating a wide variety of research data produced by RIKEN in the life science field, and by conducting research and development to advance the secondary use of such aggregated data. With the participation of all life science research centers in RIKEN, we aim to build a foundation for open science in life sciences and to pioneer a new style of life science research. The unit consists of data science principal investigators (PIs) from each life science research center, along with staff members engaged in research and development at these centers.
We are undertaking the “Open Life Science Platform” project, which collects and integrates large-scale, multiscale, and multimodal research data generated at RIKEN’s life science research centers. Through this project, we aim to enhance access to RIKEN’s scientific data and to enable data-driven, precise prediction and control of cellular and organismal states.

We are now seeking highly motivated researchers who are eager to take on challenges in these new areas of life science.
For more details, please refer to the following website.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, Technical Scientist or Research Associate, 1 position

  • *If you obtain a doctoral degree after being hired as a Research Associate, you may change your status to a Postdoctoral Researcher following a designated review process.
  • *Applicants will be assigned to appropriate positions based on their qualifications in the following section, taking into consideration their abilities and aptitude.

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.

Job descriptions by position:

Research Scientist
Perform the below and other relevant work.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Perform the below and other relevant work under the mentorship and training of supervisors.
Technical Scientist
Engage in specialized technical work.
Research Associate
Perform the below and other related work under the mentorship and training of supervisors.

Job description

The successful candidate will engage in the following research activities.
At RIKEN, where experts from diverse scientific disciplines are gathered, the successful candidate will contribute to promoting cross-disciplinary utilization of data in the life sciences (Open Life Science). This includes research and development aimed at facilitating the effective use of multi-layered, multimodal data obtained through various measurement methods, or at pioneering new approaches for utilizing such data (for Research scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Associate positions), as well as specialized technical work (for technical scientist positions).
After appointment, the successful candidate will conduct research and development activities at the RIKEN Tsukuba Campus (including the BioResource Research Center).

For more information about the Tsukuba Campus and the BioResource Research Center, please refer to the following links:

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

Qualification

  • Research Scientist
    A Ph.D. holder in the relevant field more than 5 years.
  • Postdoctoral Researcher
    A Ph.D. holder in the relevant field within 5 years, or one who is able to obtain a degree by the start of their post.
  • Technical Scientist
    Possession of a master’s degree in the relevant field is desirable.
  • Research Associate
    A master’s degree holder in the relevant research field or a person recognized as having equal ability. A person who also actively pursues Ph.D. in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Research Scientist.
  • 1.Applicants with a background in information science or information engineering demonstrate a strong motivation to expand their research into the life sciences, or those with a background in life sciences who are strongly motivated to explore research in information science.
    • *Applicants with research experience in both information science and life sciences are desirable but not required.
    • *We encourage first-time participants in interdisciplinary research of the type targeted by this call.
  • 2.Applicants who are able to communicate effectively with collaborators inside and outside the project and to work in a cooperative and collaboratively.

Work location

RIKEN Tsukuba Campus (3-1-1 Takanodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 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 seven years from the initial date of hire for the position for Research Scientist and Technical Scientist, or five years for Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Associate.
  • 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 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:
The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 431,790 JPY or more for Research Scientist and Technical Scientist, 367,925 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 301,690 JPY or more for Research Associate.

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.

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).

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

How to apply

The above documents, except the letter of recommendation, should be combined into a single ZIP file and uploaded to the following link:

Life Science Data Sharing Unit, Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters,RIKEN.

The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you upload the ZIP file, please let us (riken-lsds@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the above link with the file name "Life Science Data Sharing Unit, Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters, RIKEN, Applied position title [applicant’s name] (Letter of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, and referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
After the referee upload the letter of recommendation, please let us ( riken-lsds@ml.riken.jp ) know the file name of the uploaded file.

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: riken-lsds@ml.riken.jp.

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

Application screening, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants

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)

Remarks

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Hiroshi Masuya (hiroshi.masuya@riken.jp, BioResource Research Center) or Shuichi Onami (sonami@riken.jp, Unit Leader) prior to submitting a formal application.

Contact Information

RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters.
Infrastructure Research and Development Division, Life Science Data Sharing Unit
Email: riken-lsds@ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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