Detailed information
Work location : Kyushu and Okinawa district - Okinawa
Date of publication : 2025/06/16
Fixed-term Researcher (Nurturing Young Researcher Category) (Plant Pathology) Applicaton Number 4
D125061198
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences
Research field : Environmental science - Plant protection science
Researcher/Postdoc level : Regular employee - Nontenured - Tenure-track - Probationary period present
Job description
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Background of the recruitment and description of the project
Every year 25-30% of the world's crop production is lost to diseases between growth stage and post-harvest storage. Inadequate control systems for infectious diseases have led to severe losses in tropical and subtropical regions. Changes in areas where diseases occur and their rapid transmission to other places have also become problematic due to climate change and globalization. And with the increased focus on environmentally regenerative agriculture, biodiversity concerns, and environmental conservation, the global demand to lessen the use of pesticides and fertilizers is on the rise.
In view of the above, we are looking for a researcher who will be engaged in research fields that show the genetic, physiological, biochemical, and molecular biological characteristics of plant pathogens and their interactions with plants; as well as the epidemiological factors, occurrence ecology, distribution, and transmission methods of diseases. The target commercial crops include rice, sugarcane, cassava, tropical fruit trees, and horticultural ones in tropical and subtropical regions.
Besides the necessary knowledge and research achievements for this particular field of research, the staff member is to undertake tasks related to plant protection – namely, disease diagnosis, occurrence prediction, development of disease-resistant varieties through the artificial inoculation or newly established resistance evaluation methods, exploration of genetic resources with resistance, and identification of these resistance genes -- in collaboration with the respective crop researchers. Not only is the candidate tasked to collect and analyze data in the said research areas but also to cooperate with domestic and international joint-researchers and research assistants. -
Work content and job description
Establishment of Innovative Plant Disease Control Systems through Exploratory Research in Plant Disease and Development of Advanced Plant Protection Technologies
The researcher is expected to play a major role in the development of comprehensive disease control technologies that integrate omics analysis and AI, thereby contributing to the realization of an environmentally sustainable agricultural society.
Examples of Research Projects：
○ Global adaptation research of plant protection technologies aimed to decrease the use of pesticides worldwide
○ Development of virus-resistant crops by genome editing in cassava
○ Establishment of disease resistance evaluation methods and development of resistance breeding techniques in sugarcane
○ Development and practical application of new diagnostic technologies to demonstrate the pathogenicity of rice blast fungus
○ Development of new control systems with low environmental impact for anthracnose in mango, avocado, strawberry, etc.
Keywords：
Fields of Expertise: Plant Pathology, Molecular Physiology, Disease Prediction, Disease Diagnosis
International Field: English Language Proficiency, International Outlook and Ability to Promote International Collaborative Research -
Assigned department
Existing departments
Tropical Agriculture Research Front
Job type
- Researcher/Postdoc level
Research field
- Environmental science - Plant protection science
Wages
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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
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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
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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).
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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
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Regular employee
Contract period
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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
- 907-0002 Okinawa Ishigaki-shi, Maezato-Kawarabaru 1091-1
Compensation
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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
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Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is prohibited on the premises except for designated smoking rooms.
Application Considerations
Number of hired
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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.
1 person(s)
Hiring date : 2025/10/01
Starting date : 2025/10/01
Application period
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2025/06/17~2025/07/14 Deadline for receipt
Application method
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Application documents (specified forms)
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Attached documents
Application Form : Online SubmissionJIRCAS 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 SubmissionJIRCAS 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.
URL of this job posting
Selection / Notification of result
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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
