Detailed information

Update Now recruiting
Date of update : 2025/06/17 End date of accepting applications : 2025/07/14
Update Now recruiting
Date of update : 2025/06/17
End date of accepting applications : 2025/07/14

Work location : Kanto district - Ibaraki

Date of publication : 2025/06/16

Fixed-term Researcher (Nurturing Young Researcher Category) (Microbial Function and Low-Environmental-Impact Agriculture) Applicaton Number 1

D125060833

National research institute / Independent administrative institute

Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences

Research field : Life Science - Applied microbiology

Researcher/Postdoc level : Regular employee - Nontenured - Tenure-track - Probationary period present

Job description

  • Background of the recruitment and description of the project

    Climate change and resource limitations are driving the need for integrated solutions in agriculture, energy, and the environment. This research builds on the expertise of JIRCAS in cellulose-degrading microbes and microbial genomics to explore microbes and plants that utilize saccharified biomass and fermentation by-products.
    The goal is to develop co-culture systems that not only combine cellulose-degrading microbes with other functional microbes or plants but also enable direct production of biofuels and value-added compounds such as organic acids and alcohols.
    Furthermore, the project investigates metabolic and ecological interactions, including symbiosis and mutualism, with a view to designing stable and efficient microbial communities. It also evaluates both the plant-growth-promoting and the disease-suppressing effects of these microbes and their culture supernatants, aiming to apply them as bio-stimulants or biological control agents in sustainable, low-input farming.
    This work supports the development of innovative bio-based technologies that hold potential for international application and on-farm implementation.

  • Work content and job description

    Low-Environmental-Impact Agricultural Bioprocesses Using Microbial Functional Synergy

    Examples of Research Topics：
    ○ Molecular design and functional evaluation of co-culture systems based on metabolic coupling between cellulose-degrading microbes and product-synthesizing microorganisms
    ○ Compound screening and mechanistic analysis of plant physiological responses induced by metabolites derived from cellulose-degrading microbes
    ○ Development of integrated saccharification-fermentation systems using underutilized tropical biomass and evaluation of plant nutritional and disease-suppressing effects

    Keywords：
    Fields of Expertise: Microbial functions, plant–microbe interactions, microbial metabolic engineering, bio-stimulants, low-environmental-impact agriculture
    International Qualifications: Proficiency in English sufficient to conduct and promote international collaborative research and experience working abroad or collaborating with foreign researchers are desirable.

  • Assigned department

    Existing departments

    Biological Resources and Post-Harvest Division

Job type

  • Researcher/Postdoc level

Research field

  • Life Science - Applied microbiology

Wages

  • Annual Salary : 5 million yen ~ 7 million yen


    Monthly (base) salary is determined in accordance with the “Employee Salary Regulation of Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, National Research and Development Agency,” taking into consideration experience and other factors, and ranges from 346,000 to 410,000 yen (currently in effect).
    Bonuses are paid twice a year (June, December) at 1.725 months' salary per payment (currently), with the first bonus after employment being less than 1.725 months' salary. Various allowances (commuting, overtime, regional, etc.) are paid in accordance with the regulations; dependent and housing allowance are not provided.
    The monthly salary and other terms may change due to corresponding revisions to the regulations.

Working hours

  • Working hours :08:30-17:15

    Break time :12:00-13:00

    Holidays :
    ・Two-day weekend system (Saturday, Sunday)
    ・Holidays: National, Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29 to January 3)
    ・Annual leave: 5 days granted upon employment (October 1, 2022)
    ・Other kinds of leave: Sick, special (summer (3 days), caregiving (5 days), marriage, childbirth, bereavement, etc.)

    Overtime and other explanations :
    ・Regular working hours (08:30 - 17:15)
    ・Flexible working hours and discretionary working hours are available (after completion of the probationary period) (procedures required)

Application requirements

Qualifications

  • Education and Degree Requirements

    Ph.D. / Doctor

    Those who already have doctoral degrees or are expecting to obtain one (must be prior to the scheduled starting date, a necessary condition of employment).

  • Description


    Individuals with the knowledge and skill set required for the position of research staff
    Individuals with Japanese language proficiency sufficient for daily work
    Global outlook, English language skills, overseas research experience for promoting int’l. joint research.
    ※This center promotes gender equality in keeping with the Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society and encourages applications from female researchers. We also welcome applications from foreign researchers (provided that they have obtained the necessary residence status to work at this organization in Japan by the date of employment).

Employment Type

  • Regular employee

Contract period

  • Nontenured - Tenure-track


    5 years (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2030)
    ※1 Employment as of April 1, 2026 is also possible. Please talk to us if you have any concerns regarding the employment date.
    ※2 If you take special leave for childbirth, childcare, or caregiving during your term of employment, you may request for an extension of your term of employment equivalent to the duration of such leave.
    ※3 Tenure review is conducted for eligible candidates 11 months prior to the end of the term. Those who pass the review will continue as research fellows without a fixed term upon the expiration of their initial term.

    Probationary period present

    Trial Period 6 months

Work location

  • 305-0851 Ibaraki Tsukuba-shi　Ohwashi 1-1

Compensation

  • Insurance

    Employees' Health Insurance : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mutual Aid Association

    Employees' Pension Insurance : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mutual Aid Association

    Worker's accident insurance : Available

    Employment insurance : Available

  • Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace

    Smoking is prohibited on the premises except for designated smoking rooms.

Application Considerations

Number of hired

    1 person(s)

    Hiring date : 2025/10/01

    Starting date : 2025/10/01

  • Job content supplemental explanation

    We will also accept applications for employment starting on April 1, 2026. Please talk to us if you have any concerns regarding the starting date.

Application period

  • 2025/06/16~2025/07/14 Deadline for receipt

Application method

  • Application documents (specified forms)

  • Attached documents

    Application Form : Online Submission
    JIRCAS Researcher Entry Sheets
    ※Please fill out the prescribed form (EXCEL (34KB), Application Form Sheet).
    ※Be sure to include your email address (for administrative communications).
    ※Submit the Application Form Sheet and Publications Sheet in the same file (file name: Application Number-Applicant's Name-1.xls, e.g., 1-Kokusai Tarou-1.xls) without converting it to PDF.
    Achievements and Activities : Online Submission
    JIRCAS Researcher Entry Sheets
    ※Please fill out the prescribed form (EXCEL (34KB), Publication Sheet).
    ※Be sure to include your email address (for administrative communications).
    ※Submit the Application Form Sheet and Publications Sheet in the same file (file name: Application Number-Applicant's Name-1.xls, e.g., 1-Kokusai Tarou-1.xls) without converting it to PDF.

    Other online application forms
    1. PDF file of the recommendation letter (A4 size, 1 page. Free style. Include the recommender's name, affiliation, position, phone number, and email address).
    ※Must include the recommender's handwritten signature.
    ※JIRCAS staff members cannot serve as recommenders.
    ※Submit the PDF file of the recommendation letter with a file name: Application Number-Applicant's Name-2.pdf, e.g., 1-Kokusai Tarou-2.pdf.

    2. PDF files of the applicant's main peer-reviewed papers (5 at most)
    ※If available online, the URLs may be listed on the achievement sheet instead.

  • Return of application documents

    We will dispose of all application documents responsibly.

JREC-IN Portal web application
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E-mail Application
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KenkyuKobo-ml@jircas.go.jp
Recruiting Institution's Web application system
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URL of this job posting

Selection / Notification of result

  • Selection

    1. Document screening: Early July 2025
    2. Interview: Early August 2025
    ※Venue: Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (1-1 Oowashi, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture)

  • Notification of result

    All applicants will be notified by email.
    Application documents will not be returned regardless of the outcome.

Contact details

Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences

Research Planning and Management Office

Oka

0298386330

KenkyuKobo-ml@jircas.go.jp

Notes

1. All expenses incurred in the course of job application are to be borne by the applicant.
2. Application documents will not be returned regardless of the outcome of the selection process.
3. All administrative correspondence will be done by email.
4. To get an idea of what it is like to work at JIRCAS, please see the messages posted by staff on:
https://www.jircas.go.jp/ja/gender/messages

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