Job description
Background of the recruitment and description of the project
Our group conducts theoretical research aimed at uncovering general principles underlying a wide range of phenomena in living and social systems, drawing on nonequilibrium statistical physics, dynamical systems theory, complex systems science, and related approaches.
Work content and job description
We do not restrict our research to particular organisms, phenomena, or mathematical techniques. Rather than aiming solely to reproduce the details of individual systems, we place emphasis on identifying new theoretical questions hidden within them and understanding their essential features. We flexibly adopt whatever theoretical or computational approaches are most appropriate for the problem at hand.
Our current research mainly focuses on biological phenomena, including cellular dynamics, metabolism, evolution, and ecology, but we are also interested in expanding into new areas. Examples of directions we would like to explore include:
- interactions between living systems and planetary environments, and the coevolution of life and planets
- sociophysics, including the dynamics of culture and society
These examples are not intended to restrict the scope of possible research topics.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop research through discussions with the PI and other members of the group, while also actively pursuing new research directions based on their own interests and expertise. We welcome applicants with backgrounds in theoretical biophysics or sociophysics, as well as researchers from statistical physics, nonlinear science, complex systems science, and related fields who are interested in applying and extending their expertise to new problems involving life, evolution, society, or planetary environments.
Previous research experience does not need to closely overlap with our current projects. We particularly welcome researchers who enjoy exploring new phenomena, reformulating them as mathematical problems, and developing new theories from first principles.
Assigned department
Existing departments
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI)
Job type
Researcher/Postdoc level
Research field
- Natural Science - Biophysics, chemical physics and soft matter physics
- Life Science - Biophysics
- Natural Science - Biogeosciences
Wages
Annual Salary : 4 million yen ~ 7 million yen
Annual salary (annual base salary)
(Monthly salary) ¥353,000 - ¥520,000, depending on experience.
The applicant's salary will be determined in accordance with the Institute’s Employment Regulations for Fixed-Term Staff.
If hired mid-month, the commuting allowance will not be paid for the first month, and salary will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Working hours
Working hours : 08:30-17:15
Holidays : Saturdays, Sundays, holidays specified by the National Holidays Act, December 29 to January 3 the following year
Overtime and other explanations : De facto working hours* under the discretionary labor system:
7 hours 45 minutes per day (38 hours 45 minutes per week)
*Hours considered as working hours
Application requirements
Qualifications
Education and Degree Requirements
Ph.D. / Doctor
Candidates should hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent).
Employment Type
Regular employee
Contract period
Nontenured - Non-tenure track
1 year from date of hire. (The contract may be extended up to March 31, 2029 at the longest).
The employment period is subject to Article 7 of the Institute’s Employment Regulations for Fixed-Term Staff.
Probationary period present
14 days (The probationary period is subject to Article 12 of the Institute’s Employment Regulations for Fixed-Term Staff.)
Work location
152-8550 Tokyo 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku
Compensation
Various systems
Transportation expenses : available
Insurance
- Employees' Health Insurance : available
- Employees' Pension Insurance : available
- Worker's accident insurance : available
- Employment insurance : available
Application Considerations
Number of hired
2 person(s)
Job content supplemental explanation
Proposed Start Date: The earliest possible date thereafter
1 year from date of hire. (The contract may be extended).
The employment period is subject to Article 7 of the Institute’s Employment Regulations for Fixed-Term Staff.
Application period
2026/09/07~2026/11/30 Deadline for receipt
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis . This job posting will close if a successful candidate is finalized, even if before the posted deadline
Application method
Attached documents
Application Form : Online Submission
Achievements and Activities : Online Submission
Other online application forms
Please prepare the following materials in PDF format. There is no set format.
Please combine all specified documents into a single PDF file.
- Curriculum vitae including educational background, professional experience, honors, and awards, mailing address, and e-mail address.
- List of research achievements classified into the following categories (a: peer-reviewed journal papers, b: presentations in international conferences, c: books, d: Education experiences, and others). Please indicate publications in which you are the first author with an asterisk (*). Please highlight up to three most important papers.
- Up to 3 reprints of major original papers.
- List of acquired external research grants, fellowships, or competitive funds. The type, project title, period of research, and budget should be provided for each item. Please specify applicant's contribution as a principal or cooperative investigator. In case where you act as co-investigator, please specify the total and allocated budgets.
- Research achievements and plans for research at ELSI (any format, about 2 pages of A4 paper)
- List of names and contact information of two references. The name, affiliation, e-mail address, and their relationship to the applicant should be provided.
Return of application documents
We will dispose of all application documents responsibly.
JREC-IN Portal web application
Not available
E-mail Application
Not available
Recruiting Institution's Web application system
Accept
https://science-tokyo.app.box.com/f/b1b9a9e739944a71b4568539141d412e
URL of this job posting
https://science-tokyo.app.box.com/s/6246l20ij5sh7gcpk3hndn67rgdqvyly
Selection / Notification of result
Selection
Reviewing the submitted materials and selected candidates will be interviewed on-line or in-person.
Travel expenses for attending in-person interviews will not be reimbursed.
Notification of result
We will notify you of the results by email.
Contact details
Institute of Science Tokyo
Earth-Life Science Institute
Tetsuhiro Hatakeyama
0357343414
hatakeyama(at)elsi.jp
- Please change (at) to @ and send it.
