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Seeking a few Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (25-2982)

Laboratory

Biophenomena Engineering RIKEN ECL Research Team
RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
(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 uncharacterized biological systems such as Fanzor and TIGR-Tas using molecular biology, and biochemical methods. The candidate is also expected to engineer the systems as molecular tools for therapeutic applications. In particular, the candidate is expected to actively pursue research using expertise in at least one of the areas listed in 1–3 below.

  • 1.Structural analysis of biomacromolecular complexes using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)
  • 2.Large-scale molecular phylogenetic analysis using sequence data
  • 3.Functional analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, including RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and a broad range of other sequencing-based methods

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.
  • A person who is capable of conducting wet-lab experiments and who also possesses dry-lab data analysis skills for efficient structural analysis and/or next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. For candidates specializing in dry-lab research as informaticians, prior wet-lab experience is not required.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)

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 March 31, 2031 from date of hire.
  • 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 448,990 JPY or more for Research Scientist and 382,610 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher.

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.

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to kids@riken.jp.

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:

RIKEN/PRI file upload box

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

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the link above with the file name "25-2982_applicant’s name (Letter of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
After the referee upload the letter of recommendation, 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.

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

As early as possible

Contact Information

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

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