Seeking a Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (25-3469) Full-time NEW

Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher

The RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) is looking for a Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher. The Center 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 BDR is launching the “BDR–RISE Program,” which provides early-career researchers with diverse research experience through collaborative research projects spanning multiple laboratories within BDR, and supports their autonomous career development. Under this program, applicants are invited to propose a collaborative research project that involves two or more BDR laboratories. After being selected, the successful candidate will hold a joint appointment across the relevant laboratories and conduct the proposed project as a “BDR–RISE Program Fellow”. Selected projects will receive research funding support. By conducting research in multiple laboratories with different fields and expertise, fellows can acquire a broad perspective and skills beyond a single discipline.

Research funding of 3,000,000 JPY per year per project will be provided. The funding will be allocated to the host and partner laboratories as part of their research budgets and executed under the approval of the laboratory heads.

The successful candidate will conduct the collaborative research project proposed at the time of application. The proposed project must involve research themes across at least two laboratories listed below. Upon appointment, the candidate will hold a joint appointment across the laboratories and carry out the collaborative project. Among the participating laboratories, one will serve as the host laboratory (primary affiliation), and the other(s) will serve as partner laboratory/laboratories (joint affiliation).

Participating laboratories in the BDR–RISE Program include:

• Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics
• Laboratory for Cell Polarity Regulation
• Chrono-Developmental Biology RIKEN ECL Research Team
• Laboratory for AI Biology
• Laboratory for Nutritional Biology
• Laboratory for Neural Stem Cell Research
• Laboratory for Ultrastructural Research
• Laboratory for Chromosome Segregation
• Laboratory for Heart Regeneration
• Laboratory for Genetic Engineering Technology
• Laboratory for Multimodal AI Framework
• Laboratory for Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate Decision
• Laboratory for Developmental Genome System
• Metabolic and Behavioral Physiology RIKEN ECL Research Team
• Laboratory for Physical Biology
• Laboratory for Gametogenesis
• Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis
• Laboratory for Prediction of Cell Systems Dynamics
• Laboratory for Hibernation Biology
• Laboratory for Computational Molecular Design
• Laboratory for Human Organogenesis
• Laboratory for Biologically Inspired Computing
• Laboratory for Human Biomimetic System
• Laboratory for Brain Connectomics Imaging
• Laboratory for Developmental Epigenetics
• Laboratory for Tissue Microenvironment
• Laboratory for Multiscale Biosystem Dynamics
• Laboratory for Comparative Connectomics
• Laboratory for Developmental Morphogeometry
• Laboratory for Lung Development and Regeneration
• Laboratory for Homeodynamics
• Laboratory for Comprehensive Bioimaging
• Laboratory for Epithelial Morphogenesis

Applicants must contact the heads/PIs of the prospective host and partner laboratories to confirm their willingness to participate under this call and to discuss the research proposal.

Common to all positions: A person with strong motivation to lead collaborative research spanning multiple laboratories, and who can advance research cooperatively with relevant stakeholders inside and outside the laboratories. There is no restriction on career stage; however, applicants who aim to become an independent researcher in the future are welcome.

Senior Research Scientist: A PhD holder in the area related to the job description, with more than 5 years of experience in working in the area after obtaining PhD, and is able to provide direction to other members.

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.

Work location: RIKEN Kobe Campus-East-West. The work location will vary depending on the location of the laboratory to which the successful candidate is assigned. RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits: A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to a maximum of 3 years from the date of hiring. 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.

Application and required documents: Complete CV or CV, list of research achievements and publications, summary of past research and the result, research plan (collaborative research proposal), two letters of recommendation, certificate of degree awarded or PhD diploma (copy), certificate of graduation from the last school or graduation certificate from the last school (copy), agreement on handling of personal information.

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 “25-3469” 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 “Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research [Applicant's name] (Letter of recommendation)”. Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.

Deadline: June 30, 2026 (Tue) – Application to reach by this date.

Selection process: Selection will be made based on application screening and interview. After documents screening, only successful applicants will be invited for interview. Selection will consider the applicant's excellence/potential, the excellence/impact of the research proposal, and feasibility of the implementation plan. No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Start of Employment: October 2026 or later (negotiable).

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