| Available Position | AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher (WAP25-002) |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Department | Marine Environment Integrative Analysis Unit, Ecological Complexity Research Unit, Coastal Ecosystem Services Research Unit, Ocean-Solid Earth Dynamics Research Unit, Marine Biology Integrative Research Unit, Marine Microbial Ecology Research Unit, Marine Biogeochemical Dynamics Research Unit, Marine-Earth System Analytics Unit, Marine Ecosystem Modeling Research Unit, Research Division, Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (WPI-AIMEC), Tohoku University and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) For detailed information on WPI-AIMEC's research, please refer to this. https://wpi-aimec.jp/en/research/ *Successful candidates will be assigned to one of the above units. *There may be a change in affiliation in the event of a reorganization of WPI-AIMEC. |
| Job Description | As an alliance-type WPI research center by Tohoku University and JAMSTEC, we are soliciting applications for 10 positions of AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher. In the first year of the appointment, AIMEC Postdoctoral Researchers will receive 2 million yen to cover research startup costs. (No further payments will be made after this.) WPI-AIMEC has identified the following Grand Challenges and we welcome postdoctoral researchers to tackle them. GC1:Elucidating adaptability and vulnerability of marine ecosystems to physiochemical divers GC2:Decoding climate-ocean-ecosystem connectivity and spatiotemporal variability GC3:Coupling of surface and twilight zone ecosystems and the impact on biogeochemical cycles GC4:Resolving complexities in coastal marine ecosystems and the impact of human activities GC5:Promoting planetary stewardship through projection of marine ecosystem change For details of these GCs, please refer below. https://eartharxiv.org/repository/view/9810/ [Research Description] (Immediately upon employment) 1. Monitoring the marine physico-chemical environment from the coast to the open sea; developing analytical techniques for marine environmental restoration; and studying marine environment-ecosystem co-variation using environmental indicator organisms. 2. Making observations and models to understand the state of ecosystems and biodiversity, and conducting theoretical and empirical research to clarify the principles that drive, maintain, and respond to ecosystems and biodiversity. 3. Developing methods for assessing and analyzing marine ecosystems using functional genomics, etc., and elucidating the responses of coastal ecosystems and its services to human activities in coastal areas. 4. Observing the seabed, including its hydraulic observations, to clarify ocean–solid earth change phenomena, and making observations and models to understand spatiotemporal oceanic changes to enable advances in underwater acoustic ranging. 5. Studying the environmental response and adaptation mechanisms of marine organisms at the individual and community levels and developing evaluation and analysis methods; clarifying the mechanisms of regime shift phenomena, including mass outbreaks and mass mortality of marine organisms. 6. Developing molecular biological techniques for analyzing marine microbial ecosystems; studying the dynamics of marine particles and material circulation and the response and adaptive mechanisms of microbial ecosystems to changes in the marine environment, and developing technology for this. 7. Conducting research and technological development related to observations of the effects of circulation and microbial distribution on the distribution of substances in the ocean, maintaining automated oceanographic observation networks, and integrating the analysis of oceanographic observations and simulations. 8. Conducting modelling research and applying artificial intelligence to marine ecosystems (including the physical and chemical environment of the surrounding ocean and atmosphere), and maintaining and developing the computer infrastructure. 9. Developing equations that describe the structure of marine ecosystems and related biogeochemical cycles and their variability, and developing models of the response of marine ecosystems (including harmful toxic algal blooms) and their capacity to adapt to environmental changes in estuarine, coastal, and open ocean environments. 10. Assessing the impacts and interactions of changes in marine ecosystems on human society and vice versa, and social and behavioral changes based on such assessments. (The scope of possible changes) The duties designated by WPI-AIMEC [Related fields of expertise] Marine Physics, Marine Ecology, Geochemistry, Ocean Engineering, Geomicrobiology, Computer Science, Meteorology, Meteorological and oceanographic modeling, Earth Sciences, etc. |
| Job Type |
AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher: AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher should be able to independently conduct the research subject which is authorized by the WPI-AIMEC under direction of a leader, and to be appointed to improve their research qualities. |
| Requirements | 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. Specific dates regarding eligibility are below. *For appointment on April 1, 2026: Applicants who earned a Ph.D. after April 2020. *For appointment on May 1, 2026: Applicants who earned a Ph.D. after April 2021. |
| Work Place | (Immediately upon employment) One of the followings a) Tohoku University Aobayama Campus, 6-3, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, JAPAN b) JAMSTEC Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences (YES), 3173-25, Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0001, JAPAN *Tohoku University: Measures to prevent passive smoking: No smoking on the premises, no work in areas where smoking allowed. *Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences: 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 WPI-AIMEC (including a place for working from home) |
| Working Conditions & Contract Period | (1) Number of positions: 10 positions for AIMEC 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: Total period will be terminated on March 31, 2029, after 2 contract renewals. The term of this position is 3 full years in the calendar year. *First contract period is from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. *Effective date of employment is negotiable. *Contract period can be renewed depending on the progress ogf WPI-AIMEC 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. *Not eligible to apply for the tenure track system at Tohoku University, or the examination for the position of Permanent Employee at JAMSTEC. |
| Salary | Annual salary (paid in 1/12 equal monthly payments) JPY 6,600,000-7,200,000 *Salary will be competitive based on the academic qualifications and demonstrated research skills of the successful candidate. *Bonus and retirement allowance are included in the annual salary. *There is no raise. |
| Terms of Employment | (1) Upon appointment, the successful candidates will receive relocation allowances. (2) Allowance for commuting expenses will be provided. (3) Both of Tohoku University and JAMSTEC are fully covered by various insurances (health insurance, employee pension insurance, unemployment insurance, workers' accident compensation insurance, etc.) to promote welfare and benefits. *At Tohoku University, there is the Mutual Aid Association of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and at JAMSTEC, there are the Corporate Pension Fund and Mutual Aid Association System, etc. (4) If the successful candidate's work place is at Tohoku University, they have the right to move into the Lodging House. If the successful candidate's work place is at JAMSTEC, housing lease service is not available. (5) 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. (6) Tohoku University has the largest on-site childcare environment of any national university in Japan, including the Kawauchi Keyaki Nursery School (22 children) and the Aobayama Midori Nursery School (116 children), which are available to all staff. There is also a nursery for children with minor illnesses and children after illnesses on the premises of the University Hospital, which is available for use by all university staff. |
| Application Procedure | (1) Required documents a) CV. Valid Email must be provided. b) Summary of your research (1 page) c) Research plan for WPI-AIMEC (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 *If you do not have a published paper, please upload a PDF stated "none". (2) Submission Please apply via the following website: https://recruit.jobcan.jp/jamstec/entry/new/2189345 *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) Interviews English interviews will be held for applicants who pass the document screening and will be conducted online, in principle. |
| Closing Date | December 21, 2025 at 23:59 in Japan time *Depending on the situation of applications, the closing date may be extended. |
| Contact | Recruitment Desk, Research Promotion and Planning Division, WPI-AIMEC Email: wpi-aimec_hr[at]jamstec.go.jp *Please replace [at] with @ when addressing Emails and include "WAP25-002" 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 WPI-AIMEC. (5) For non-Japanese speakers, the interview and daily work will be conducted in English. |
| Diversity and Inclusion | Tohoku University promotes activities to improve Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and welcomes active applications from diverse individuals. With the aim of realizing an environment in which employees respect diversity in their academic, research, and professional activities, the University has established "Tohoku University - Everyone Plays a Leading Role - Guidelines on Diverse Sexuality" that outlines its policies and specific measures to be taken. Please refer to the following website for information on Tohoku University's DEI initiatives. https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/en/ 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/ |