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Seeking a few Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (25-3342)

Laboratory

Cell Function Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Laboratory head: Keiko Sugimoto)

Outline of Laboratory

We investigate how plants integrate developmental and environmental cues to maximise organ growth under the changing environment. We also explore how plants establish and maintain cellular differentiation status and how various stress stimuli override the developmental commitments to undergo cellular reprogramming. These strategies should allow us to identify key modulators of organ growth and reprogramming, thus providing molecular basis for crop improvement.

For more information, please refer to the following link:
Cell Function Research Team | RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher; a few positions

*The applicant will be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability, aptitude, etc.

Job description

The successful candidate will investigate the molecular basis of plant regeneration and cellular plasticity. By integrating state-of-the-art genetic, epigenetic, genomic and single-cell technologies, the candidate will elucidate fundamental mechanisms that control cell fate transitions in plants.

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

Qualification

We welcome applicants with:

  • A Ph.D. in plant biology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, or related fields
  • Strong publication record
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas:
    • oPlant molecular genetics
    • oChromatin biology and epigenetics
    • oTranscriptomics (including single-cell approaches)
    • oBioinformatics and computational analysis
    • oImaging and developmental biology

Highly motivated candidates with complementary expertise are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

*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, 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 the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 1 year of employment.
    For the postdoctoral researcher position, however, the maximum term allowed at CSRS is 5 years. If the five-year period ends before the above maximum contract date, the five-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.

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. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at keiko.sugimoto@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 (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.

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 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

Research Scientist

Postdoctoral Researcher

How to apply

The above documents except the letter of recommendation should be uploaded to the following link:

For Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers position (25-3342), Cell Function Research Team, RIKEN CSRS

After you uploaded documents, please let us (takako.furukawa@riken.jp) know.

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link.

For Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers position (25-3342), Cell Function Research Team, RIKEN CSRS

Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
After the referees uploaded the letter of recommendation, please let us (takako.furukawa@riken.jp) know.
If the submission requirements are not met, your application will not be processed.

Deadline

Open until the position is filled.

*Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

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 (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

As early as possible after August 1, 2026. (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Cell Function Research Team
Email: keiko.sugimoto@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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