Seeking a Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, or Technical Scientist (26-1065)
Laboratory / Division
Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics
RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
(Team Director: Shuichi Onami)
Outline of Laboratory / Division
The Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) views the functions of molecules, cells, and organs that support all life stages of organisms as a dynamic system, and aims to elucidate developmental, growth and aging phenomena as well as apply their findings to develop regenerative medicine and diagnostics, thereby contributing to the extension of healthy life expectancies.
The Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics is recruiting research/technical employees to carry out a new theme.
The research overview of the laboratory is shown below.
Toward a predictive understanding of the development of multicellular organisms, The Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics is developing mathematical models of developmental systems and technologies for quantitative developmental biology, by combining molecular cell biology, biophysics, genome sciences, computational sciences, information sciences, mathematical sciences, etc.
For more details about the laboratory, please visit our website:
Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics | RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
Job title and Job description
Job title
Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, or Technical Scientist: 1 position
Position-specific tasks are as follows:
- Research Scientist
- Carry out research and other work in accordance with research themes of the laboratory.
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Carry out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship and training of supervisors.
- Technical Scientist
- Be involved in developing, enhancing, and maintaining technic/technology required for the research carried out by the laboratory.
Job Description
We are recruiting a Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, or Technical Scientist who will conduct research and development related to one (or more) of the following topics related to the SSBD.
The SSBD is an integrated database of bioimaging data that our team is developing and operating.
- 1.Functional enhancement of the integrated database SSBD.
- 2.International collaborative research and development related to the establishment of a global sharing system for bioimaging data.
- 3.Development of a platform to accelerate the utilization of bioimaging data.
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.
Qualification
Common to all positions
Eligible Applicants (those who meet any of the following conditions):
- Individuals with experience in designing and building relational databases
- Individuals proficient in data manipulation and management using SQL
- Individuals with experience in backend development using Django or similar frameworks
- Individuals with experience in implementing file upload functionality with metadata input
- Individuals capable of frontend development using JavaScript or similar technologies
- Individuals with experience in developing APIs that connect databases and frontends
- Individuals with experience in developing data search and result display features through web browsers
- Individuals with experience in designing and implementing automated publishing systems, including scheduling and workflow management
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.
Business-level proficiency in Japanese is required.
- Research Scientist
- A PhD holder in the area related to the Job description.
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- A PhD holder who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years in the area related to the Job description. Including those who expect to obtain a doctoral degree before starting the position.
- Technical Scientist
- A holder of master's or higher degree, with a great deal of expertise and skills related to Job description. Or, a person recognized as having equal ability with more than 5 years of experience in the related area.
Work location
RIKEN Kobe Campus-East-West
2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047 (Developmental Biology Buildings)
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary, in accordance with RIKEN regulations
Salary and benefits
- 1.(Research Scientist and Technical Scientist) A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment.
(Postdoctoral Researcher) A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 5 years of employment. - 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 annual salary at the time of employment
- Research Scientist and Technical Scientist
- The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 448,990 JPY or more. The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completing their doctoral course will be approximately 539,000 JPY.
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 382,610 JPY or more.
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 kobe-jobs@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 Saturdays and Sundays, 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 Kobe Campus has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe. For details, please send an email to the General Administration Section at kobe-kosei@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
Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher
- 1.Complete CV or CV
- *EligibleEmail address is required.
- *Application Number[26-1065] and position to apply (e.g.: Research Scientist) should be clearly written at top-right in the margin.
- *Format is free. Or the format attached is available.
- 2.List of research achievement and publications (Please categorize : Original article, Review article, Book, Conference presentation, Others)
(including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available) - 3.Summary of past research and the result (about 2 pages of A4 paper)
- 4.Plans for the future research upon appointment (about 1 page of A4 paper)
- 5.Acquisition of competitive external funds (e.g. Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) (Please write: Representative, Contribution)
- 6.One letter of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's qualifications (this usually includes the current supervisor)
- *The letters of recommendation should be addressed to "Center Director, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research".
- *Please specify the referee's contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number and email address)
- *The referee should not be a person who belongs to the laboratory you apply for.
- 7.Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy)
Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
Technical Scientist
- 1.Complete CV or CV
- *Email address is required.
- *Application Number[26-1065] and position to apply (e.g.:Technical Scientist) should be clearly written at top-right in the margin.
- *Format is free. Or the format attached is available.
- 2.List of research achievement and publications (Please categorize : Original article, Review article, Book, Conference presentation, Others.)
(including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available) - 3.Summary of past research and development experience and the result (about 2 pages of A4 paper)
- 4.Plans and proposals for future research and development upon appointment (about 1 page of A4 paper)
- 5.Acquisition of competitive external funds (e.g. Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research)
- *Please write: Representative, Contribution.
- 6.One letter of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's qualifications (this usually includes the current supervisor)
- *The letters of recommendation should be addressed to "Center Director, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research"
- *Please specify the referee's contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number and email address)
- *The referee should not be a person who belongs to the laboratory you apply for.
- 7.Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy)
Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
How to apply
The above documents except the letters of recommendation combined into a single PDF or ZIP file should be uploaded to the following link:
- The uploaded file name should contain the job ad number "26-1065" and the applicant's name.
- When you upload the file, your contact email address is required.
- After you uploaded the file, please let us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
The letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name "Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics [applicant’s name] (Letter of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.
Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the positions are 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 interview. After documents screening, only successful applicants will be invited for interview. No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.
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
At the earliest opportunity (subject to negotiation)
Remarks
We highly recommend contacting Dr Onami (sonami@riken.jp) in advance of your official application.
Updated as of Sep, 4, 2026: "Qualification"
Contact information
For inquiries on this open position, please contact below by email:
Research Personnel Affairs Section, Human Resources Strategy Division, Human Resources Group, RIKEN
kobe-jobs@riken.jp
- *If you have any research-related questions, please contact sonami@riken.jp (Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics, Dr. Onami)