Detailed information
Work location : Kanto district - Ibaraki
Date of publication : 2025/11/10
Environmental Crop Science (Environmental Impact Assessment of BNI-Enabled Crops), Fixed-term Researcher in Nurturing Young Researcher Category , Applicaton Number 6
D125110366
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences
Research field : Life Science - Plant nutrition and soil science | Environmental science - Crop production science | Environmental science - Environmental agriculture
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
Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers in farmlands contributes to the environmental problems of water pollution and GHG emissions. Crops enabled with Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) traits can significantly reduce its adverse impacts by suppressing the conversion of ammonium into nitrate through root-secreted BNI compounds such that nitrogen-use efficiency is improved and environmental pollution reduced. JIRCAS has conducted comprehensive research on BNI, from the observation and exposition of the mechanism behind it to its practical application and societal implementation. Such undertaking includes collaboration across multiple research areas and the formation of the BNI International Consortium, a global research network on the subject.
To further develop and strengthen present and future research in BNI, the institute is looking for a researcher who will play a key role in understanding the impact of BNI traits on soil health indicators (e.g., changes in soil organic matter in the rhizosphere), soil nitrogen dynamics, and nitrous oxide emissions. Besides advanced skills in agronomy, cropping systems, system modeling, and soil chemistry, the candidate is expected to have knowledge and practical experience in soil organic matter chemistry, soil health indicators, and the field-based measurement, model-based interpretation and validation of nitrous oxide emissions. The researcher should demonstrate initiative in collecting and analyzing data from production sites in developing regions and JIRCAS experimental fields as well as strong collaboration skills to work effectively with both domestic and international research partners and assistants. -
Work content and job description
Evaluation of the Impact of BNI Traits on Soil Health Indicators, Soil Nitrogen Dynamics, and Nitrous Oxide Emissions
The researcher is responsible for evaluating the impact of BNI traits on soil health indicators (such as changes in soil organic matter), soil nitrogen dynamics, and nitrous oxide emissions. Specifically, the work involves quantifying and validating the effect of BNI traits on reducing nitrous oxide emissions in field conditions using crop models, in addition to assessing the impact of BNI traits on soil health indicators (including soil organic matter and nitrogen dynamics) using near-isogenic lines of crops such as wheat and maize. By virtue of these investigations, the researcher will provide scientific support for the environmental benefits of BNI technology, for its research development in JIRCAS, and for its implementation in society at large.
Examples of Research Topics:
- Quantification and verification of the impact of BNI traits on reducing nitrous oxide emissions in crop fields using crop models
- Examination of the effects of BNI traits on soil health indicators using isogenic lines of wheat and maize (e.g., soil organic matter, nitrogen dynamics, etc.)
Keywords:
Specialization: Agronomy, Cropping Systems, Modeling, Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI), Soil Chemistry
International Collaboration: English proficiency for international collaborative research and experience working with foreign researchers or conducting research abroad are desirable. Japanese language proficiency is required for conducting research in Japan. -
Assigned department
Existing departments
Crop, Livestock and Environment Division
Job type
- Researcher/Postdoc level
Research field
- Life Science - Plant nutrition and soil science
- Environmental science - Crop production science
- Environmental science - Environmental agriculture
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,” 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 and 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 allowances 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 (April 1, 2026)
- 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 before the scheduled starting date.
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Work experience
- Possesses the knowledge and skills required for the position as a research staff member
- Possess international awareness and language proficiency (English) to promote international collaborative research
- Research experience overseas is desirable -
Official qualification in specific field, etc.
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 or higher, or equivalent Japanese language proficiency
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Description
- This center promotes gender equality in keeping with the Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society and encourages applications from female researchers.
- We 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 (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031)
- If you take special leave for childbirth, childcare, or caregiving during your term of employment, you may request an extension of your term of employment equivalent to the duration of such leave.
- Tenure review is conducted for eligible candidates 11 months before 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
- 6 months
Work location
- 305-0851 Ibaraki Tsukuba-shi Ohwashi 1-1
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
1 person(s)
Hiring date : 2026/04/01
Starting date : 2026/04/01
Application period
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2025/11/10~2025/12/05 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, 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, 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: December 2025
2. Interview: January 2026
※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(at)jircas.go.jp
* Please change (at) to @ and send it.
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
