Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (25-3512) Part-time

Postdoctoral Researcher

Carry out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship and training of supervisors.

Research on machine learning/AI-based analysis of cellular microscopy images, virtual staining, and inference of cellular states. The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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: The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 383,000JPY or more. RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN. 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). The Kobe Campus has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe. For details, please send an email to the General Administrative Section at kobe-kosei@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. Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

Complete CV or CV. Email address is required. Application Number [25-3512] and position to apply (Postdoctoral Researcher) should be clearly written at top-right in the margin. Format is free. Or the format attached is available. List of research achievement and publications (Please categorize: Original article, Review article, Book, Conference presentation, Others) (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available). Summary of past research and the result (about 2 pages of A4 paper). Plans for the future research once appointed (about 1 page of A4 paper). Acquisition of competitive external funds (e.g. Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) (Please write: Representative, Contribution). One letter of recommendation (including one from the current supervisor, If available). 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). If it is difficult to obtain a letter of recommendation from the immediate manager or current supervisor, please obtain one from a third party. The referee should not be a person who belongs to the laboratory you apply for. Certificate of degree awarded or PhD diploma (copy), Certificate of graduation from the last school or graduation certificate from the last school (copy). Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR/UK GDPR If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, you are required to sign and submit the document, “Consent form for handling personal information based on Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) and the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation.” For residents of the EEA, you will find detailed information about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website: Data protection | European Commission. For residents of the UK, you will find detailed information about Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation) on the following website: The UK GDPR | Information Commissioner's Office.

The above documents except the letters of recommendation combined into a single PDF or ZIP file should be uploaded to the following link:

(25-3512) Application for Postdoctoral Researcher of Laboratory for Cell Polarity Regulation

The uploaded file name should contain the job ad number “25-3512” 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 Cell Polarity Regulation [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 referees uploaded the letter of recommendation, please let us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs@riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

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.

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.

June 1, 2026, or later (subject to negotiation).

Updated as of March 19, 2026: “Qualification”

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 y.okada@riken.jp (Laboratory for Cell Polarity Regulation, Dr. Yasushi Okada).