Postdoctoral Scholar/Staff Scientist/Senior Staff Scientist, Biological Design Unit
The Biological Design Unit is a new research group at OIST. We research across the fields of biology, physics, and engineering to understand the body designs of living organisms, especially plants. Plants are rooted to a habitat throughout life, constantly sensing and responding to the changing environment. They change their developmental programs according to the environmental cues, such as light, temperature, and mechanical stimulation (e.g., touches and wind). The resulting changes in the tissue and organ structure help survive environmental stressors. We study such structural solutions to survival, combining approaches from cell and developmental biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology with physical functional analyses based on mechano-biology and biomechanics. We create structural variations using biomimetics (microfabrication) or developmental engineering (synthetic biology) and explore their physical functions in differential environmental conditions. With such investigations, we aim to gain insights into the biological designs better suited to survive through the changing climate.
We welcome motivated, capable, and considerate researchers to join our team to together create a unique research program for the Unit, as well as for the individual researchers. We call for candidates with keen interests in our vision, with a strong background in any of the fields:
• (plant) developmental biology
• (plant) mechano-devo
• evo-devo
• eco-devo
• biomechanics (solid and fluid)
• (plant) synthetic biology
In addition to the core research program, the Unit has a new line of research to differentiate plant single cells out of the tissue context via regenerative engineering. Supported by long-term funding from the Schmidt Sciences Foundation, the bottom-up development efforts are like regenerative medicine, with implications in fundamental biology and bioengineering (e.g., cellular agriculture). To foster the new field together, we seek new team members with expertise in any of:
• plant cell and tissue culturing
• (plant) synthetic biology
• plant developmental biology
• biomaterials
• single cell genomics
• metabolic engineering
Specific projects will be discussed and developed as the candidate are shortlisted. OIST enables hiring of postdoctoral researchers of various experience levels, from fresh PhDs to highly experienced senior staff scientists taking 'group leader' roles. We plan to identify the best fit candidates for the team and individually arrange the most suitable types of positions according to their career stages and track records.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University was established in 2011 to contribute to the development of science and technology worldwide and to serve as a hub of innovation in Okinawa. OIST is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan which offers a 5-year PhD program and brings together outstanding researchers from across the country and across disciplines to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking a beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding. To facilitate multidisciplinary research, there are no academic departments. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration.
English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research, and our unwavering commitment to scientific and technological innovation is dedicated to generating progress that will fuel Okinawa's economic growth.
1. Conducting rigorous and motivated research and innovation
2. Bring in and about intellectual stimulation and enthusiasm
3. Communicate and publish scientific findings and insights
4. Training and teaching younger generations
5. Contributing to the Unit's outreach activities
6. Constructing and maintaining a positive and collegial working environment in the Unit, at OIST, and with collaborators
7. Working and researching responsively and accountably
8. Taking full ownership of and driving one's career and personal development
(Required)
1. PhD in researching/innovating in an area(s) relevant to the Unit activities
2. Genuine interest in working with plants as the primary research systems
3. Willingness to expand their expertise into new areas of research and innovation
4. Excellent communication skills in oral and written English (everyday, lay, and scientific)
5. Excellent record-keeping skills
6. Commitment to excellent lab organization and resource maintenance
7. Constructive, open-minded, and proactive outlook and approaches to the work
8. Teamwork mindset, kindness, and collegiality
9. Being helpful, responsible, and accountable in research and working
10. Being happy to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment
11. Being comfortable working in an international lab where the standard language is English
12. Active initiatives to apply for opportunities (e.g., fellowships and grants) to enhance one's training and career prospect
(Preferred)
1. Experience and expertise working across scientific boundaries
2. Experiences in working internationally and with diverse groups of colleagues
3. Experience in writing primary research papers as the main author
Expected Annual Salary (for Postdoctoral Scholars): 4.5M－5.9M yen
(for Staff Scientist): 5.0M – 7.5M yen
(for Senior Staff Scientist) 7 M – 9M yen
*Annual salary range will be determined based on the candite's experience, skills and background in accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations.
Benefits:
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Access to Child Development Center
- Access to Schooling Options
- Language Education
- Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
- Remote Work system
- Cover letter (English) outlining the Applicant's research interests and track records, and why choosing this position for your next career stage
- Full length Curriculum vitae (English) – please include full lists of publications and presentations
- Names and contacts of three references, who will be contacted if the Applicant is shortlisted for interview.
* Please be sure to indicate where you first saw the job advertisement.
* Prior to the start of employment all new hires are required to successfully complete a background check. Personal information including employment history and academic background should be submitted to OIST after a conditional offer of employment.
How to Apply
Apply by submitting your application documents to:
naomi.nakayama[at]oist.jp (Please replace [at] with @ before using this email address)
* OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff.
* Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications. OIST Privacy Policy
* Recruiting Organization: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation
* Prevention of Passive Smoking: No smoking indoors
* Please view our policy for rules on external professional activities
(Information Disclosure – 10. Others – 6. OIST Rules for Concurrent Appointment).
* Further details about the University can be viewed on our website
Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 2 years. Contract initially with a 6-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed by taking into consideration the performance, conduct, and behavior of the Employee and OIST's financial and other circumstances.
Part-time arrangements may be considered depending on the Applicant's circumstances.
Full-time: 9:00-17:30 (Discretionary)
Part-time arrangements may be discussed according to the needs of the
Working hours: Part-time with a maximum of 7 hours per day, 5 days per week.
Break: 12:00 – 13:00 (if working hours are more than 5 hours for the day)
Holidays
Saturday, Sunday, National holidays, and Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3)
Leave
Annual Paid Leave, Summer Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave
Overtime work hours
Discretionary Working Hours System：
In the discretionary labor system for specialized work, the employee shall be deemed to have worked 7 hours 30 minutes per day.
Starting Date
From February 2025 or thereafter
We thank all those who apply but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.