Laboratory
RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory
RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
(Chief Scientist: Shintaro Iwasaki)
Outline of Laboratory
“The central dogma of molecular biology”, which represents information flow from DNA to RNA to protein, has been most basic principle in life. Recent quantitative and comprehensive analysis revealed that amount of RNA could not simply correlate with protein abundance in cells, suggesting that “translation control” significantly contributes to gene expression in more general than as we previously expected. Our laboratory tackles the unknown mechanism of translation control, by the combination of…
next-generation deep sequencing and classical biochemistry.
Job title and Job description
Job title
Research Scientist: 1 position
Note:We are seeking individuals at the level of full-time university Assistant Professor to Associate Professor or Full-Time Lecturer for this open position.
Job description
To understand biological phenomena governed by RNA regulation and translational control, the successful candidate will develop innovative new measurement and analytical technologies, and use them to uncover new molecular mechanisms.
The candidate is expected to develop technologies that bring new resolution, accuracy, throughput, or analytical concepts to biological phenomena that have been difficult to capture using existing methods. We welcome innovative research proposals based on the applicant’s own expertise and original ideas. We seek a researcher who will bring expertise in areas not currently represented in our laboratory and provide new perspectives to the study of RNA regulation and translational control.
The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to laboratory management and related activities in the host laboratory in collaboration with technical staff, postdoctoral researcher, research scientists, and graduate students. Through these activities, the successful candidate is expected to develop practical skills in laboratory management.
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.
Qualification
Doctoral degree (or equivalent research ability and background) in the relevant research field
Work location
RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.
Salary and benefits
- 1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to a maximum of 5 years of employment.
- 2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load 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.
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 590,000 JPY or more. The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 640,000 JPY.
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.
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 (caring for a sick child, 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.
Application and required documents
Required documents
All the application documents should be prepared in English. (Only letters of recommendation may be either in English or in Japanese)
- 1.Complete CV or CV*Email address is required.
- *Write the RIKEN job ad number “26-828”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
- 2.List of research achievement and publications (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
- 3.Lists of external funds received, awards received, and other achievements including contribution to society through activities in scientific societies, joint research projects, technology transfers, and the like.
- 4.Outlines of your research and development projects to date (3 pages, A4 size)
- 5.Your future research and development plans and perspectives if you are accepted for the position (3 pages in A4 size in total)
- 6.Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the UK General Data Protection Regulation)
- Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
- * Hiring Privacy Policy
- * The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- * Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation)
- 7.One set of copies of your major papers (maximum number: 5)
- 8.Two letters of recommendation
- - One letter must be from your current supervisor or academic adviser(If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable).
- - Another letter must be from a person who is not affiliated with RIKEN.
How to apply
The above documents (items 1 through 6), except the letters of recommendation, should be combined into a single ZIP file and uploaded to the following link (Document 7 should be submitted as a separate PDF file):
PDF file name:
26-828_Applicant’s name.pdf
26-828_Major Publication_Appicant’s name.pdf
After you upload the file, please notify the file name to the email address at contact information below.
About letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the above link with file name, “26-828_[applicant’s name] (Letters of recommendation)”. Please specify the applicant's name, and the referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
Please let us know the file name of the uploaded file after the referees upload the letter of recommendation. The contact information is below.
If none of your current supervisors or academic advisors can prepare a letter of recommendation, a letter from a third person will be accepted.
There is no set format for the letters of recommendation, but they must meet the following conditions:
they must be addressed to the President of RIKEN, Makoto Gonokami, and include the date of issue. Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address).
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact to the same email address.
Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.
Deadline
31 August, 2026 (noon, Japan time)
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
After application documents are screened, only the successful candidates will be asked to have an interview.
Notification of hiring decision
The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.
Start of Employment
RIKEN expects that the successful candidate will be able to take up this position at the earliest opportunity after April 1, 2027.
Other conditions at the time of appointment will be negotiable.
Contact Information
For inquiries concerning the research
RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory
Dr. Shintaro Iwasaki (Chief Scientist)
Email:shintaro.iwasaki@riken.jp
For other inquiries
Pioneering Science Promotion Division
Email: pri_j1@ml.riken.jp
Note:No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.