※Application Closed at Nov. 28, 2024.
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 address global challenges, JIRCAS is offering fixed-term employment aimed at nurturing excellent and highly motivated young researchers to conduct research in the field of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Available positions and job description
Recruitment code |
Research Division, Position, No. of positions |
Employment period |
Research description・Research outputs・Key words |
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J1 |
5 years (from 1 April 2025) |
Overview of research activities Irrigated agriculture is highly productive, and about 20% of the world's irrigated farmland produces about 40% of the world’s grain, so the development of irrigated agriculture and the securing of irrigation water are indispensable for stable food production in the world. On the other hand, in developing regions, many irrigation canals are earthen canals which require less initial investment, but they are susceptible to erosion and their function deteriorates, and reservoirs are also required to take measures against water leakage by taking advantage of the characteristics of the soil. In response to this situation, JIRCAS is conducting research on measures to improve the efficiency of water resource use, such as measures to prevent leakage of earthen canals and fields, in Africa. To further develop research in this field, JIRCAS will recruit researcher(s) who will be responsible for solving problems with earth structures, such as verifying the mechanism of earthen canal erosion using the knowledge of hydraulic engineering and proposing sustainable countermeasures that farmers can practice. In addition to the knowledge and research achievements necessary for the above research, the researcher is required to be willing to stay in the developing region and engage in research positively, and to cooperate with researchers in Japan and overseas. Furthermore, by fostering an excellent international perspective throughout the term of office, the researcher is expected to become a person who will take on the role of researcher in the field of rural development.
Research topics
Keywords
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5 years (from 1 April 2025) |
Overview of research activities Decrease of food loss and waste is a challenge in establishing a sustainable food system. In addition to effective use of food resources, it is also important as a countermeasure against global warming, since the current amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from food loss and waste is estimated to account for about 8% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. In horticultural crops such as fruit trees and vegetables, the reduction of food loss and waste is an imperative issue. Especially in tropical and subtropical hot and humid environments, the quality of harvested products easily deteriorates, and excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions due to such over-control of temperature after harvesting are a concern. On the other hand, fruit trees and vegetables are important sources of nutrients essential for health, such as sugar, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and it is recommended that a certain amount of fruit and vegetables be consumed daily. These crops are also important sources of income generation for small-scale farmers in tropical and subtropical developing areas. Therefore, for the development of a sustainable society, there is a need to develop technologies and systems that enable the supply of harvested products to consumers without loss and waste. JIRCAS has been developing a wide range of basic and applied technologies to elucidate effective preps and storage conditions for horticultural crops economically cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions to maintain the quality of harvested products, including physiological evaluation using molecular biological techniques, etc., to ensure stable production and supply, reduce discard due to food loss and waste, and reduce CO2 emissions caused by inappropriate temperature control, etc. The researcher will be required to be able to promote research and development that contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions due to loss and waste and inappropriate temperature control in domestic and overseas target regions. In addition to the knowledge and research achievements required for the above-mentioned research, the researcher is required to be proactive in collecting and analyzing data using production sites in developing regions and JIRCAS experimental fields, and to cooperate with collaborators and research assistants in Japan and overseas. In addition, the candidate will be expected to play a role in the research and development of appropriate post-harvest technologies that will contribute to the realization of a sustainable agricultural society with less environmental impact by developing global awareness throughout the term. Research topics
Keywords
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J3 |
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5 years (from 1 April 2025) |
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
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