Seeking Postdoctoral Researchers (26-721) Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher

The Biomacromolecules Research Team at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science is seeking postdoctoral researchers for one or two positions. The team aims to create biological structural materials using novel biopolymers, alongside plant organelle modification and novel plant biotechnology.

Successful candidates will be engaged in one of the following research themes:

• Research on the spinning of artificial silk (spider silk)
• Research on the valorization of microbially derived proteins
• Research on protein production using plants
• Research on construction of a big database comprising computational data on polymer materials, peptides, and proteins
• Research on data-driven polymer design

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: Postdoctoral Researcher: Receive training and guidance from senior staff; conduct research projects and other activities for Programs or equivalent.

Applicants must hold (or be expected to obtain by the start date of employment) a Ph.D. degree in information science, engineering, life sciences, agricultural sciences, or a related field, or possess equivalent research achievements. Applicants should preferably have practical experience relevant to the duties described above, be capable of conducting research independently, and be able to communicate effectively in English. Applicants with research experience in one or more of the following fields are particularly encouraged to apply: Information Science, Materials Informatics, Bioinformatics, Computational Science, Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Microbial Engineering, Physiology of Photosynthetic Organisms, Structural and Physical Characterization of Polymers, Polymer Synthesis, Polymer Biosynthesis, Polymer Materials Chemistry, Fiber Materials, Soil Science, Plant Nutrition, Food Chemistry, and Biotechnology in its broadest sense. A person who has obtained a PhD within the past 5 years, or, one who is able to obtain a degree by the start of their post.

The tenure as a RIKEN Postdoctoral Researcher is within 5 years in principle.

Work location: RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako City, Saitama). 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 maximum March 31, 2032. 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. 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. Those who wish to continue working at RIKEN beyond this point may apply for open positions.

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

Required documents:

• Complete CV or CV
• List of research achievements (Publications, Presentations, awards and others.)
• Previous research and future research plan
• A letter of recommendation from the PI of current laboratory
• Certificate of graduation of the most recent education, or a copy of Diploma
• Contact detail of one or two reference (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• Agreement on handling of personal information

How to apply: The above documents except the letter of recommendation combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following link: For Postdoctoral Researcher position, Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN CSRS. The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address. After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (enzyme-recruitment@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name “Biomacromolecules Research Team, XYZ [applicant's name] (Letters 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 (enzyme-recruitment@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: enzyme-recruitment@riken.jp. 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). Travel and accommodation expenses incurred during the interview process shall be borne by the applicant.

Start of Employment: As early as possible (Negotiable).

Contact Information: RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Biomacromolecules Research Team Email: enzyme-recruitment@riken.jp For inquiries, please send an email.