The National Institute of Genetics (herein “NIG”) invites applications for Project Associate Professor positions who are able to carry out independent research based on the creative ideas. The research cycle of life science consists of several steps, including findings based on observation and measurement data, making of a new hypothesis, and empirical tests of the hypothesis. The NIGiRC (Integrated Research Core) is established for the purpose of accelerating and enhancing this research cycle, and NIG seeks for Project Associate Professors who can proceed with innovative research and contribute toward the goal of NIGiRC.
Application Guidelines：PDF  　　Application Materials：Brief summary of career(excel)  

１.　Recruiting: Project Associate Professor (2 qualified persons)

２.　Appointment Start Date: As soon as possible after the selection decision is made

３.　Term of Appointment: 5 years

４.　Qualifications:
(1) Young researchers who obtained Ph.D. within the last 13 years as of April 1, 2025 (For those who suspended their research activities due to life events, the suspension period is not included in the calculation of the total years after obtaining Ph.D.) and who are able to carry out research independently based on their own ideas. Any research field is acceptable.
(2) Those who can get basic funding for conducting their own research
(3) Each applicant must appoint one NIG Professor who has five or more years left until his/her retirement as of April 1. 2025 as a mentor (Please obtain his or her prior agreement to act as mentors).

５.　Background for Recruitment:
NIGiRC (Integrated Research Core) is newly established by integrating NIG’s three independently operated centers (“Genetic Resource Center”, “Phenotype Research Center” and “Advanced Genomics Center”). NIGiRC is going to be operated in collaboration with “BSI: BioData Science Initiative” which was installed within the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research (ROIS-DS) in FY2022. The aim of establishment of NIGiRC is to accelerate the research cycle in life science across various fields in Japan. At the time of its establishment, NIG employs qualified researchers.

６.　Responsibilities:
Each appointed researcher is to carry out independent research under the mentoring of NIG Professor.

７.　Research environment and support:
Each appointed researcher will use the space and facilities of the laboratory of the mentor professor.
He or she will be additionally provided with an individual research room of approx. 19 ㎡. In addition to that, as an Inter-University Research Institute, NIG provides substantial common equipment and research infrastructure, and so appointed researchers can make best use of NIG’s resource on hand to conduct their research activities. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare all research equipment on their own from the start. Appointed researchers will receive research funds of about 1 million yen per year.

８.　Wages: Based on ROIS regulations

９.　Social Insurances: MEXT Mutual Society of Health Insurance / Worker’s Accident Compensation Insurance / Employment Insurance

１０.　Work hours: Discretionary Labor System (Deemed working hours: 7 hours 45 minutes/day)

１１.　Holiday: Saturday and Sunday, National Holidays, From December 29th to January 3rd (New Year’s Break), Summer Break

１２.　Application Deadline: Noon (Japan Time) on October 10, 2025

１３.　Application Materials:
I. Curriculum Vitae (Write in English or Japanese / Free form / Write years in Western calendar)
II. List of publications and grants (Write in English or Japanese / Free form / If there are multiple authors, briefly describe your contribution / Indicate a few most significant research papers / Regarding the research grants, describe whether you are PI or co-PI)
III. Summary of past and present research and future directions (Write in English or Japanese / Free form / Length is about three A4 pages / Include figures if necessary.)
IV. Names and contacts of three or more references and the name of the NIG Professor whom the applicant appoints as a mentor
V. Summary of career
VI. Your key papers (in PDF file / up to three papers)
*All the personal data in the application is handled in strict confidentiality, and used solely for recruitment purposes.

１４.　Submission:
Submit items I to VI listed above electronically as follows:
(a) The subject line should be “Application for Project Associate Professor positions in the NIGiRC”, which should be also noted in the e-mail body.
(b) Put items I to IV together in a single file by separating each item by page. E-mail the file as an attachment. The file format should be MS Word or PDF. Also attach item V (form can be downloaded from the NIG homepage) as a separate file.
(c) Send your key papers as PDF attachments. The file format should be PDF. If your key papers are available to access online, include a list of URLs in the e-mail body.

* We will notify you via e-mail upon receipt of your electronic application within two business days.

Based on gender equality, National Institute of Genetics has been actively promoting female scientists. In case of equivalent aptitude and achievements in research, education, and social contributions, preference will be given to female candidates.

The National Institute of Genetics is promoting safety and healthy working, including preventing passive smoking. (Indoor smoking is banned. / Smoking is allowed only in the designated outdoor areas.)

Send your application and inquiries to:
NIG Personnel Committee (Personnel Team)　E-mail:
Mailing Address: National Institute of Genetics
Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540 JAPAN
TEL: +81-55-981-6716 FAX: +81-55-981-6715
Homepage: https://www.nig.ac.jp/nig/
NIG Organization Chart: https://www.nig.ac.jp/nig/research/organization-top/organization

１５.　Selections:
(1) Preliminary Screening (Document Review)
Applicants will be shortlisted based on their submitted documents.
The selection result will be e-mailed directly to applicants by the beginning of November 2025.
Please contact the Personnel Team (Refer to 14. Submission) if you do not receive e-mail by that time.
(2) Secondary Screening (Interview)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview. They are required to give a short presentation about their past research and future plan at our institute. Subsequently, a question and answer session will be carried out. Interviews will be carried out in November or December 2025. In principle, applicants in Japan are requested to attend an interview at NIG (Travel expenses will be provided). For those living overseas, interviews will be basically conducted online via Zoom, etc.