RIKEN, Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences
Position ID:
Position Title:
Seeking a few Postdoctoral Researchers(25-695)
Position Location:
Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
Subject Areas:
Appl Deadline:
(posted 2025/06/22, updated 2025/06/11, listed until 2026/01/01)
Position Description:
Position Description
【Title】
Seeking a few Postdoctoral Researchers (25-695)
【Laboratory】
Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit, Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science,
RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (RIKEN ECL Unit Leader：Leo Speidel)
【Outline of Laboratory】
RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) is an international research center at RIKEN. It facilitates close collaborations among researchers from different disciplines in theoretical, mathematical and computational sciences.
RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) is an international research center at RIKEN. It facilitates close collaborations among researchers from different disciplines in theoretical, mathematical and computational sciences.
The Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit, established in November 2024, conducts research on the development and application of new mathematical and statistical techniques that leverage rapidly growing genomes, ancient and modern, to reconstruct the evolutionary past of humans and other species. Our genomes can, for instance, inform us about past migrations, introgression with Neanderthals and other extinct hominids, and adaptation to environmental or lifestyle changes throughout human history. In particular, we are interested in understanding how evolutionary forces have shaped our genetic differences and how these may impact our health.
For more information, please refer to the following website:
Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit
【Job title and Job description 】
Job title Postdoctoral Researcher a few positions
Job description
In recent years, we have enabled the reconstruction of genome-wide genealogical trees that relate all humans (or any other species) back in time through shared ancestors (e.g., Speidel et al. Nature Genetics 2019, MBE 2021). These genetic trees now incorporate the genomes sequenced from ancient bone and have long been sought as the best achievable record of our shared genetic past.
The successful applicants will likely work on the development and/or application of new statistical techniques in one of the following areas, depending on suitability and interest:
- Improving admixture modelling across different depths of human evolutionary history, building on methods published in Speidel et al, Nature 2025 and application to new large-scale modern and ancient genetic data.
- Developing new techniques that can leverage cross-species whole genome data and application to new large-scale canid whole genomes sequenced in the lab.
The ideal candidate will have experience analyzing large-scale genetic variation data or developing new statistical methods. A keen interest in evolutionary biology is required.
For more information, please contact Leo Speidel.
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.
【Qualification】
The candidate should possess a doctoral degree or be expected to obtain a doctoral degree by the date of hire.
【Work location】
RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary. RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
【Salary and benefits】
1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of 3 years from the date of hire.
2. RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.
In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period. Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. The monthly base salary is 327,200 JPY as of April 1, 2025. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.
1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of 3 years from the date of hire.
2. RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.
In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period. Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. The monthly base salary is 327,200 JPY as of April 1, 2025. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.
Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.
The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 500,000 JPY or more.
RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.
This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (caring for a sick child, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment). There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.
Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (caring for a sick child, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment). There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.
Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
* Eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003
* Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).
RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity, and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.
The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to kids@riken.jp.
【Application and required documents】
[Required documents]
1. A cover letter explaining your motivations to apply for this position. If there are special circumstances you would like the committee to consider, you may include them here.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
*In the notes section of your CV, include the job position number(25-695) next to the title of the job position. You may also include your research IDs (ORCID, Google Scholar, etc.).
*In the notes section of your CV, include the job position number(25-695) next to the title of the job position. You may also include your research IDs (ORCID, Google Scholar, etc.).
3. List of publications(including preprints)
4. Research statement(summary of current and past research relevant to this position; 2 pages max)
5. Research proposal(describe your research objectives over the time scale of the position; 3 pages max)
6. Interdisciplinary statement(discuss your views and interest on interdisciplinarity, and how you see yourself interacting with iTHEMS members from other fields; 1 page max)
7. Contact information of two persons willing to provide a reference.
8. Consent form（PDF 187.2KB） for handling personal information based on GDPR
*If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)" with your signature.
You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
*If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)" with your signature.
You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
You will find detailed information about Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK GDPR) on the following website:
Data Protection and the EU | Information Commissioner’s Office
If you are not a resident of European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, please write it on the consent form and upload from the system in order to complete your application.
[How to apply]
Application documents should be uploaded through Academic Jobs Online.
Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.
[Deadline]
Open until the position is filled.
We will first select the application documents that have arrived by August 1, 2025 (JST).
[Handling Personal Data]
Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening at RIKEN. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.
【Selection process】
Application screening, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants
Application screening, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants
[Notification of hiring decision]
The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.
【Start of Employment】
As early as possible
【Contact Information】
Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit, Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science, RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
-
Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Interdisciplinary statement
- List of publications (including preprints)
- Research statement(summary of current and past research relevant to this position; 2 pages max)
- Research proposal (describe your research objectives over the time scale of the position; 3 pages max)
- Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
- Two or more references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info:
iTHEMS
RIKEN, Hirosawa 2-1, Wako
Saitama 351-0198, Japan
RIKEN, Hirosawa 2-1, Wako
Saitama 351-0198, Japan