1 Positions and Scope of the Call
The National Institute of Genetics (NIG) invites applications for approximately three tenure-track Associate Professor positions in the Department of Frontier Research (DFR). We seek outstanding early-career researchers who are strongly motivated to open up new fields in the life sciences through their own original ideas. Successful candidates will establish and lead independent laboratories at NIG, taking advantage of the Institute’s research environment and the wide-ranging support described below.
NIG is committed to gender equality and actively promotes the appointment of women researchers. Applicants will be evaluated comprehensively on their abilities and achievements in research, education, contributions to society, and other relevant areas. When candidates are judged to be equally qualified, preference will be given to a woman candidate.
2. Employment Conditions, Support, and Research Environment
- Employment Conditions
–Position: Associate Professor
–Term of appointment: Five years. For individuals who have held an employment contract with the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS) on or after April 1, 2013, the total period of employment, including the present appointment, may not exceed ten years.
–Appointment system: Tenure track
–Salary: Paid in accordance with the Salary Regulations for Employees Subject to the New Annual Salary System of ROIS.
–Tenure review: Conducted within five years of the start of the appointment. Following a successful review, the appointee may be granted a tenured position as an Associate Professor or Professor. - Research Support
–Laboratory space: Approximately 140 m2
–Core research funding (planned): JPY 10 million in Year 1; JPY 5 million in Year 2; JPY 4 million in Year 3; and JPY 2 million in each of Years 4 and 5 (total: JPY 23 million).
–Research personnel: Support for one postdoctoral researcher and one research assistant, who may be employed for the duration of the initial appointment. - Research Environment
NIG provides extensive shared research facilities and access to a broad range of resources, including genetic resources and mutant collections for diverse model organisms, and actively promotes collaborative research. Tenure-track Associate Professors also participate in graduate education as faculty members of the Genetics Program at SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies). NIG is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment, including measures to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking is prohibited indoors, and designated smoking areas are provided outdoors. - Support for Faculty Members with Childcare Responsibilities
Support includes the assignment of research support personnel and assistance with temporary childcare services.
3. Schedule
- Application deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026, 12:00 noon (Japan Standard Time). Applications must be received by this time.
- Candidate interviews and seminars (symposium format): Thursday, March 25 and Friday, March 26, 2027.
- Anticipated start date: As soon as possible after the selection decision.
4. Application Documents
1（Curriculum vitae: one copy in English. Include an email address.
2 List of publications, including original research articles and reviews. Circle the numbers of two or three representative papers and provide a URL for each. Briefly describe your contribution to each representative paper.
3 Research plan in English (maximum 2,000 words). Begin with a title and an abstract of no more than 400 words. A description of previous research and figures may be included as appropriate. The 2,000-word limit includes the title and abstract but excludes figure captions.
4 Applicant Summary :download the designated file from the NIG website and complete it.
5 Three letters of recommendation, in either Japanese or English. Please follow the separate Instructions for Submission of Recommendation Letters .
Personal information submitted in connection with this application will be managed appropriately in accordance with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and ROIS regulations, and will not be used for any purpose other than selection and appointment.
5. Submission Procedure
Combine application documents (1)-(3), separated by page breaks, into a single MS Word or PDF file. Send this file by email together with the Applicant Summary in item (4), which should be submitted as an MS Excel file. The three recommendation letters in item (5) must be sent directly by the referees in accordance with the Instructions for Submission of Recommendation Letters. Use “DFR application” as the email subject line.
An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent within two business days after the application email is received.
[Submission and Contact Information]
Personnel Committee (Personnel and Labor Affairs Section)
National Institute of Genetics Research Organization of Information and Systems
Email: nigjinji@nig.ac.jp
Address: 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
Telephone: +81-(0)55-981-6716 (direct)
National Institute of Genetics: https://www.nig.ac.jp/en/
Department of Frontier Research: https://www.nig.ac.jp/cfr/en/index.html
NIG Organization: https://www.nig.ac.jp/en/public/organization/