WPI-AIMEC aims to elucidate the response and adaptation of marine ecosystems to global environmental change and to enhance future projections of marine ecosystem dynamics for stakeholders. In this call for applications, we seek an AIMEC Researcher or AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher who will conduct pioneering research that will provide new insights into the nutrient and material cycles of marine ecosystems by analyzing the isotopic composition of specific biomolecules in tissues, bones, marine particles, and marine (micro)organisms.
We are soliciting applications for 1 position of AIMEC Researcher or AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher.
In the first year of the appointment, AIMEC Researchers will receive 3 million yen and AIMEC Postdoctoral Researchers will receive 2 million yen to cover research startup costs. (No further payments will be made after this.)
[Research Description]
(Immediately upon employment)
Specifically, leveraging Fourier transform high-resolution mass spectrometry and other analytical tools, the successful candidate will develop protocols to measure the stable isotope composition of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur in biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids collected from the marine environment. By integrating these findings with genomics, proteomics, and oceanographic datasets, the candidate will investigate food web structures, nutrient and material cycling, migration patterns, and species advection in marine ecosystems. The research focus will be tailored to the candidate’s expertise and developed in collaboration with AIMEC researchers and international partners.
(The scope of possible changes)
The duties designated by WPI-AIMEC.
[Related fields of expertise]
Analytical Chemistry, Proteomics, Organic Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Isotope Geochemistry, Environmental (Micro)Biology, (Isotope) Ecology, etc.
Job type
Researcher:
Researcher is expected primarily to conduct fundamental, originative or advanced research and development based on theories, observations and experiments related to research and development.
[Position]
AIMEC Researcher:
To contribute to the research and development of WPI-AIMEC, an AIMEC researcher is expected to independently conduct research and technology development and to share results through scientific publications and achieve technology innovation.
[Job Title]
AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher:
AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher is expected to independently conduct the research subjects which are authorized by the Director under the direction of a leader, and to improve their research qualities.
*The job title will be determined at the time of appointment.
Requirements
AIMEC Researcher:
Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in a closely related field of research or technology development.
AIMEC 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 2019 are eligible. For those whose date of start is on after May 1, applicants who earned a Ph.D. after April 2020 are eligible.)
[Experience]
It is desirable that the successful candidate has experience conducting analytical research, such as omics and elemental/mass analysis, using natural and/or cultivated samples and has published those results in peer-reviewed international journals.
Work place
(Immediately upon employment)
Tohoku University
Aobayama Campus, 6-3, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, JAPAN
*Measures to prevent passive smoking: No smoking on the premises, 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:
1 position as an AIMEC Researcher or an 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:
AIMEC Researcher:
The total period will be terminated on March 31, 2030 after 4 contract renewals.
The term of this position is 5 full years in the calendar year.
AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher:
The total period will be terminated on March 31, 2028 after 2 contract renewals.
The term of this position is 3 full years in the calendar year.
*First contract period is from April 1, 2025 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 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.
*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 applicant.
*Bonus and retirement allowance are included in the annual salary.
*There is no raise.
AIMEC Researcher:
e.g., JPY 6,700,000-14,000,000
AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher:
e.g., JPY 6,600,000-7,200,000
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/2144970
*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 on the basis of submitted application materials, followed by an interview.
*Web-based online interviews are expected basically.
Closing date
January 26, 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 “AIMEC WAM24-006” in the subject line.
Find out more information about this opportunity here.