Opportunities

Available Position Project Researcher (II), Project Research Technician (II), Project Research Technician (III), or Postdoctoral Researcher (AGM25-025)
Recruiting Department Marine Ecosystem Research Group, Earth Surface System Research Center (ESS), Research Institute for Global Change (RIGC)

*There may be a change in affiliation in the event of a reorganization of JAMSTEC.
Job Description We are soliciting applications for a Project Researcher (II), Project Research Technician (II), Project Research Technician (III), or Postdoctoral Researcher to participate in the JST Strategic Basic Research Program (CREST) titled "Carbon cycle and lower trophic level oceanic organisms investigation for future environments (FY2023 - FY2029, Principal Investigator: Maki Noguchi Aita)".
The aim of this project is to assess the biological response to environmental changes in the ocean (e.g. global warming and acidification) and to predict the future capacity of the ocean to absorb carbon using numerical modelling.

[Research Description]
(Immediately upon employment)
The project aims to elucidate the impacts of global warming and ocean acidification on lower trophic level marine organisms and the biological carbon pump.
It also aims to project their future trajectories.
Knowledge obtained from field observations and laboratory experiments will be incorporated into marine ecosystem models, with the goal of developing and advancing an eddy-permitting global biogeochemical model that accounts for acidification effects.
Comprehensive validation will be conducted across multiple spatial scales, from the seas around Japan to the global scale, followed by numerical experiments to project future oceanic carbon uptake capacity.
Scenario-based simulations will be performed to evaluate potential responses of marine ecosystems to environmental changes driven by CO2 emissions.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the following activities:
(1) Advancing and refining dynamic models representing the adaptive responses of marine ecosystems
(2) Conducting hindcast experiments using numerical models to evaluate climate-driven changes in marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles
(3) Performing scenario-based future projection simulations and analyzing data from international model intercomparison projects

The detailed information about CREST is below;
https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/crest/en/research_area/area2023-2.html

(The scope of possible changes)
The duties designated by JAMSTEC

[Related Research Fields]
Earth and Environmental Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Fisheries Science, Physical Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Climate Science, Computational Science, etc.
Job Type [Job Title]
Researcher (Science):
Researcher (Science) is expected primarily to conduct fundamental, originative or advanced research based on theories, observations and experiments related to research and development.

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]
Research Technician:
Research Technician is expected to promote fundamental or comprehensive technological improvements related to research and development, maintain and upgrade these advanced technologies, and conduct research.

[Position]
Project Research Technician (II)/Project Research Technician (III):
Project Research Technician (II) and Project Research Technician (III) are expected to contribute to the promotion of research and development by accumulating expertise in areas such as observation devices and analytical instruments, as an expert in the operation of basic technologies related to the organization’s research and development efforts.

*Job Title and Position 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 project 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.

Project Research Technician(II)/Project Research Technician(III):
Applicants must have completed a master degree in a closely related field of research or technology development, or possess equivalent development skills.

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 2020 are eligible.)

[Qualifications and Experience]
It is preferred to have experience in research and development related to ocean general circulation models, ocean ecosystem models, and ocean material cycle modeling.
Work Place (Immediately upon employment)
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
Yokosuka Headquarters, 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka,
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.

(The scope of possible changes)
The places designated by JAMSTEC (including a place for working from home)
Working Conditions & Contract Period (1) Number of positions:
1 position for a Project Researcher (II), Project Research Technician (II), Project Research Technician(III), or Postdoctoral Researcher

(2) Type of contract:
Fixed-term employee

(3) Working Hours:
Discretionary labor system for professional work
*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:
Project Researcher (II)/Project Research Technician (II) /Project Research Technician (III):
The total period will be terminated on March 31, 2030 after four contract renewals.

Postdoctoral Researcher:
The total period will be terminated on March 31, 2028 after two contract renewals.

*First contract period is from March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026.
*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 projects.
*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. 
*This position falls under Article 15-2, Act on Promotion of Science and Technology Innovation.
*This position is a non-tenure-track, fixed-term employee position.
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 6,700,000-7,100,000

Project Research Technician(II)/Project Research Technician(III):
e.g., JPY 5,600,000-6,800,000

Postdoctoral Researcher:
e.g., 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 Project Researcher(II), Project Research Technician(II), and Project Research Technician(III), 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 "ESS AGM25-025 and the applicant's name" in the subject line.
*Employee of JAMSTEC will not be accepted as a writer of Letter of recommendation.

Project Research Technician (II)/Project Research Technician (III):
a) CV. Valid email and home address must be provided.
b) Resume of specialized work experience described details of career history, professional experiences and skills.
c) Research and development plan for the project (1 page)

*Please submit the following documents voluntarily;
・"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.
・Two (or fewer) representative publications

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 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/2191926

*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 November 16, 2025 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., Administrative Division, JAMSTEC
Email: recruit-app[at]jamstec.go.jp
*Please replace [at] with @ when addressing Emails and include "ESS AGM25-025" 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, gender identity, 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.
You can see specific actions from the website below.
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/j/about/gender_equality/