Opportunities

Available Position Project Researcher (II) or Postdoctoral Researcher (BGM23-006)
Recruiting Department Deep-Sea Bioresource Research Group, Research Center for Bioscience and Nanoscience (CeBN), Research Institute for Marine Resources Utilization (MRU)

*There may be a change in affiliation in the event of a reorganization of JAMSTEC.
Job Description The Deep-Sea Bioresource Research Group, Research Center for Bioscience and Nanoscience (CeBN), Research Institute for Marine Resources Utilization (MRU), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), is looking for a Project Researcher (II) or Postdoctoral Researcher for the JST Green Technologies of Excellence (GteX) Project "Development and construction of biomanufacturing DBTL technology to develop diverse microbial functions (FY2023-FY2032, Co-investigator: Takuro Nunoura)".

[Research Description]
CeBN has constructed a database that includes datasets on environmental genomics and environmental parameters obtained from ocean observatories. Anticipated applications is expected to construct a database for investigations of the genetic potential of marine microbes in biotechnology. We invite applications for a Project Researcher (II) or Postdoctoral Researcher to join a project exploring marine genetic resources via the deep-sea environmental genome database constructed by CeBN. The Project Researcher (II) or Postdoctoral Researcher will participate in:
(1) Construct a database for deep sea bioresource development.
(2) Search useful functional genes using the database and develop related bioinformatic tools.

Details of the research can be found at
http://www.jamstec.go.jp/cebn/e/index.html
https://www.jst.go.jp/gtex/en/field/bio.html

[Related fields of expertise]
Microbial Ecology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, etc.
Job Type [Job Title]
Researcher (Science):
Researcher (Science) is expected primarily to perform theoretical work, observations, and experiments related to research and development, through fundamental, original, or advanced research to conduct fundamental, originative, or advanced research based on theories, observations, and experiments.

Researcher (Technology):
Researcher (Technology) is expected to conduct fundamental, originative, or advanced technology development and related research.

[Position]
Project Researcher (II):
Project Researcher (II) is expected independently to conduct research and technology development and to share results through scientific publications and achieve technology innovation to contribute to the project.

*Job Title (Science/Technology) will be determined during the employment process.

[Job Title]
Postdoctoral Researcher:
To contribute to the project, a Postdoctoral Researcher should be able to independently conduct the research subjects which are authorized by the Projects under direction of a leader, and to be appointed to improve their research qualities.
Requirements Project Researcher (II):
Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in a closely related field of research or technology development.

Postdoctoral Researcher:
Applicants are required to have been awarded or expect to have obtained a Ph.D. in a related field by the effective date of employment. In addition, no more than 5 years can have passed between the last day of the fiscal year in which the applicants obtained a Ph.D. and the effective date of employment. (i.e., applicants who earned a Ph.D. after April 2018 are eligible.)
Work Place Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
Yokosuka Headquarters,
2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka city,
Kanagawa, 237-0061, JAPAN
*Measures to prevent passive smoking: No smoking on the premises (smoking areas are available outside), no work in areas where smoking allowed.
Working Conditions & Contract Period (1) Number of positions:
1 position for a Project Researcher (II) or Postdoctoral Researcher

(2) Type of contract:
Fixed-term employee

(3) Working Hours:
Discretionary labor system
*The determination of working hours allocation, including start and end times, as well as the method of carrying out research and development activities (including teleworking), is left to the discretion of the employee.

(4) Contract Period:
*First contract period is from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
*Effective date of employment is negotiable.
*Contract period can be renewed depending on the performance and working attitude of the successful candidate.
*Contract period might change due to budget constraints of the project.
*On reaching the age of 65 during an employed fiscal year, the contract period will expire at the end of the same fiscal year. This bylaw may change. 
*These positions fall under Article 15-2, Act on Promotion of Science and Technology Innovation.
*These positions are non-tenure-track, fixed-term employee positions.

Project Researcher (II): Total period will be terminated on March 31, 2026 after one contract renewal. However, only if this project is extended, the contract period may be renewed until March 31, 2028.

Postdoctoral Researcher: Total period will be terminated on March 31, 2026 after one contract renewal. However, only if this project is extended, the contract period may be renewed until March 31, 2027.
Salary Annual salary (paid in 1/12 equal monthly payments)
*Salary will be competitive based on the academic qualifications and demonstrated research skills of the candidate.
*Bonus and retirement allowance are included in the annual salary.

Project Researcher (II):
e.g., JPY 6,000,000-7,000,000

Postdoctoral Researcher:
JPY 4,400,000-5,600,000
*There is no raise.
Terms of Employment (1) Upon appointment, the successful candidate will receive relocation allowances.
(2) Allowance for commuting expenses will be provided.
(3) Employee and JAMSTEC will share the premiums for social insurance and labor insurance in the proportion specified by current statute.
(4) JAMSTEC employee cooperative provides various subsidies for mutual aid and welfare services.
(5) For Researcher (II), housing lease service will be available. (There are criteria based on income etc.) For Postdoctoral Researcher, housing lease service is not available.
(6) Holidays and vacations: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, year-end, and New Year's holidays. Annual vacations with pay, special vacations, leave of absence to care for a family member, and maternity leave are provided.
Application Procedure (1) Required documents
*Please note that required documents differ depending on the position.

Project Researcher (II):
a) CV. Valid email and home address must be provided.
b) Summary of your research (1 page)
c) Research plan for the project (1 page)
d) "Publication (achievement) list" including thesis titles and "List of competitive research funds" awarded to the applicant
*Please list publications in refereed (peer-reviewed) journals separately from unrefereed publications.
*Include DOI codes if available.
*If you have not been awarded any, include "none" in the list.
e) Two (or fewer) representative publications
f) Two letters of recommendation from two senior research scientists (1 letter from each).
*The person providing the recommendation should email to JAMSTEC directly with a signed letter as an attached file in PDF format by the closing date. Please include "CeBN BGM23-006 and the applicant's name" in the subject line.
*Employee or Visiting Researcher of JAMSTEC will not be accepted as a writer of Letter of recommendation.

Postdoctoral Researcher:
a) CV. Valid Email and home address must be provided.
*Please include contact information for one reference who is a senior research scientist.
The reference person will be required to submit a letter of recommendation for the selected applicant directly to JAMSTEC, by Email, after screening of documents. The reference person should not be an employee or a Visiting Researcher of JAMSTEC.
b) Summary of your research (1 page)
c) Research plan for the project (1 page)
d) "Publication (achievement) list" including thesis titles and "List of competitive research funds" awarded to the applicant
*Please list publications in refereed (peer-reviewed) journals separately from unrefereed publications.
*Include DOI codes if available.
*If you have not been awarded any, include "none" in the list.
e) Two (or fewer) representative publications

(2) Submission
Please apply via the following website:
https://recruit.jobcan.jp/jamstec/entry/new/1811003

*All files must be converted to PDF format.
*Since some of the notation is in Japanese on the website, please refer to the following input procedure when entering your information.
Application guide

(3) Interview
Applicants will be selected based on submitted application material, followed by an interview.
*Web-based online interviews are expected basically.
Closing Date January 8, 2024 at 23:59 in Japan time
*Depending on the situation of applications, the closing date may be extended.
Contact Human Resources Section, Human Resources Dept., JAMSTEC
(E-mail: recruit-app[at]jamstec.go.jp)
*Please replace [at] with @ when addressing Emails and include "CeBN BGM23-006" in the subject line.
Remarks (1) Submitted documents will be managed safely according to strict rules. Personal information received during the recruiting process will be used only for recruitment screening and appointment procedures and not for any other purposes.
(2) Successful candidate should submit a certificate documenting their health upon appointment.
(3) Please kindly inform us in case of withdrawal of your application by Email.
(4) Above conditions may be changed at the discretion of the agency.
(5) For non-Japanese speakers, the interview and daily work will be conducted in English.
Diversity and Inclusion In our quest to perform state-of-the-art research and develop scientific and technological innovations based on diverse values, JAMSTEC not only actively recruits women based on gender equality but also strives to create a work environment in which individuality is respected regardless of nationality, race, gender, self-recognition, age, or the presence or absence of disabilities.
In response to the diverse needs of our employees, we will also promote more flexible work styles and environments, including shorter working hours and opportunities for discretionary work.