The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) is now accepting applications for fixed-term employment of young researchers.
In order to facilitate further advancement in research activities that meet global challenges, JIRCAS is offering fixed-term employment aimed at nurturing excellent and highly motivated young researchers in pursuing research in the field of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
- JIRCAS Research Staff Application File
- Entry sheet (JIRCAS) 2023.xlsx28.51 KB
Available positions and job description
|
Recruitment code |
Research Division, Position, No. of positions |
Employment period |
Research description・ Research outputs ・ Key words |
|---|---|---|---|
|
J1 (International studies on agriculture, forestry and fisheries) |
To be decided after selection, based on the specialization of the candidate, Researcher, a few persons |
5 years (from 1 October 2023) |
Overview of research activities JIRCAS has been playing a core role as a center of Japan’s R&D for technological improvement of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in the tropical and sub-tropical regions, and in developing countries since its establishment as the Tropical Agriculture Research Center (TARC) in 1970. In the 5th Medium to Long-term Plan (FY2021-2025), JIRCAS intensively and effectively carries out R&D to solve global food and environmental problems, as well as strengthen its function as an information center, such as collecting and disseminating information related to its R&D activities. In recent years, the environment surrounding agriculture, forestry and fisheries in developing regions has been changing very rapidly. Therefore, it is necessary to pursue innovations based on flexible and novel ideas, such as food system transformation and cross-disciplinary R&D that do not necessarily fit within conventional frameworks. In the past, JIRCAS has recruited staff to carry out specific research topics in specific areas. However, in order to encourage researchers with novel ideas, we invite applications in the Nurturing Young Researcher Category (Employment: 5 years, multiple positions) without limiting the field of specialization or research topics of the applicants. Candidates who wish to apply for this position must submit a proposal on how they can contribute to the research projects and other activities of JIRCAS in order to achieve the goals of the 5th Medium to Long-term Plan (Please visit our website for details on research projects). The proposal should be consistent with the applicant’s academic and research experience. Although the proposal should primarily contribute to the goals of the 5th Medium to Long-term Plan, we also accept proposals that include innovative R&D and methodologies that go beyond the current goals. Research topics
Keywords developing regions, global issues, cross-cutting strategy, innovation |
Application conditions
- The applicant must possess a PhD degree or expected to receive the degree by the start date of employment.
- The applicant must have sufficient academic background, experience, and skills to conduct research in the intended post.
- The applicant must have sufficient Japanese language ability that will not interfere with daily work.
- An international mindset, language skills (English) and overseas research experience to promote international collaborative research are desirable.
JIRCAS promotes gender equality in accordance with the Basic Act for Gender Equal Society, and strongly encourages qualified female as well as non-Japanese researchers to apply. Non-Japanese applicants must have resident status that allows them to work.
Employment conditions
- Term
- 5 years (From October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028)
※1 Please contact us if there are any circumstances regarding the start date of employment.
※2 A fixed-term researcher may take maternity, paternity, or nursing leave during the term, and may request an extension of the term to cover the period of leave.
※3 The employment contract is subject to renewal after an evaluation of the researcher's performance and achievements to be couducted 11 months before the end of the term. A fixed-term researcher who successfully passes the evaluation will be continuously employed as a regular researcher.
- 5 years (From October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028)
- Place of employment
- Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture or Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (Depends on Division assignment upon employment)
- Salary
- The monthly salary (basic salary) is JPY332,000 - 394,000 depending on qualifications and experience in accordance with the JIRCAS Staff Salary Regulations.
- Bonuses equivalent to 1.650 months’ basic salary (less for first bonus after recruitment) are paid twice a year in June and December. Allowances include commuting allowance, overtime work allowance, regional allowance (if assigned to Tsukuba), and special area work allowance (if assigned to Ishigaki). However, allowances for dependents and housing are not provided.
- Monthly salary and other benefits are subject to change in accordance with revision of regulations.
- Day-off and leave
- Saturdays, Sundays
- Public holidays, year-end and new year holidays (Dec 29–Jan 3)
- Annual paid leave: 5 days to be granted upon start of employment (October 1, 2023)
- Others : sick leave, summer leave (3 days), nursing care leave (5 days), special leave (marriage, maternity, mourning)
- Working hours
- Standard working time (8:30 am - 5:15 pm)
- Flextime system, discretionary working time system (need to apply after probationary period)
- Welfare benefits
- Health insurance and pension by MAFF mutual aid association
- Employment insurance, Workers’accident compensation insurance
Documents to submit
The documents have been changed from this year.
-
JIRCAS Research Staff Application file
※ Please fill in the ‘Application Form’ and ‘List of Publications’ sheets in the file (EXCEL).※ File name should be indicated as follows：
Recruitment Code-Name of Applicant-1.xlsx
Ex：J1-KOKUSAI Taro-1.xlsx
※ Submit the file in EXCEL (xls) format. Do not convert to PDF.
※ An e-mail address to be used to contact for administrative purpose must be provided.
※ Please adhere strictly to the specified word limit. Exceeding the word limit may result in disqualification. -
Letter of recommendation in PDF file (A4 size, one page, free format. The letter must include the name, affiliation, status, telephone number and e-mail address of the recommender.
※ The letter must have a signature of the recommender.
※ JIRCAS staff cannot provide a recommendation letter. -
PDF files of major peer-reviewed original papers on which the applicant is the first author (up to 5 publications).
※ If there is an online version, the URL indicated in the list of publications will be used. There is no need to submit a PDF file.
Send documents to
Send all application documents as e-mail attachment. Password is NOT required.
E-mail: JIRCAS-Kenkyuin-Kobo@ml.affrc.go.jp
Deadline of application
June 20, 2023 (Documents must be received by 5:00 PM.)
※ Incomplete documents, documents that omit required information, or documents with errors will not be accepted.
Selection process
- Screening of applicants on the basis of submitted documents (early July 2023)
- Interview for selected applicants (end of July 2023)
※Place: JIRCAS Headquarters (1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki)
For inquiries, please contact
Dr. Takeshi WATANABE (Email: JIRCAS-Kenkyuin-Kobo@ml.affrc.go.jp)
Other matters
- All expenses incurred in attending an interview are the responsibility of the applicant.
- All documents submitted will not be returned to the applicant regardless of the outcome of the application.
- All correspondence will be by e-mail only.
- To get an idea of what it is like to work at JIRCAS, please read the messages from our staff posted on the JIRCAS HP (https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/gender/messages).
Handling personal data
All submitted documents will be used solely for the purpose of reviewing applications, and will not be used for any other purpose.