Postdoctoral Scholar, Biological Design Unit (Finet group)
The Biological Design Unit researches across the fields of biology, physics, and engineering to understand the body designs of plants and insects. We are especially interested in biological interfaces, e.g. the cuticle, that evolved many adaptative traits to external biotic and abiotic factors. We study the relation structure-function of these interfaces, combining approaches from cell and developmental biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology with physical functional analyses based on bio-photonics, -thermodynamics, and -mechanics. We create structural variations using biomimetics (microfabrication) or developmental engineering (synthetic biology) and explore their physical functions in differential environmental conditions.
In particular, as a section of the Biological Unit, the group led by Dr. Cédric Finet focuses on biological and physical phenomena that tinkers with chitin-based materials. This research group looks into the functions and physical properties of cuticle and associated structures, how they form during development, how they evolve and adapt to changing environments, and how we can use this wealth amount of information to develop new and sustainable bio-inspired materials. The Finet group is looking for a motivated, capable, and considerate postdoctoral scholar to join our team to together create a unique research program on cuticle and cuticular micro- and nanostructures in insects. This project would be highly interdisciplinary involving mainly material engineering using chitin-based material, but also biology (transcriptomics, proteomics) and physics (biophotonics, thermodynamics). With such investigations, we aim to developed new bio-inspired and sustainable materials.
We call for candidates with keen interests in our vision, with a strong background in any of the fields:
- (bio)material engineering
- insect evo-devo
- insect developmental biology
- biomimetics and/or bioinspiration
- chemical engineering and/or biochemistry
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University was established in 2011 to contribute to the development of science and technology worldwide and to serve as a hub of innovation in Okinawa. OIST is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan which offers a 5-year PhD program and brings together outstanding researchers from across the country and across disciplines to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking a beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding. To facilitate multidisciplinary research, there are no academic departments. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration.
English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research, and our unwavering commitment to scientific and technological innovation is dedicated to generating progress that will fuel Okinawa's economic growth.
- Conducting rigorous and motivated research and innovation
- Bring in and about intellectual stimulation and enthusiasm
- Communicate and publish scientific findings and insights
- Training and teaching younger generations
- Contributing to the Unit's outreach activities
- Constructing and maintaining a positive and collegial working environment in the Unit, at OIST, and with collaborators
- Working and researching responsively and accountably
- Taking full ownership of and driving one's career and personal development
(Required)
- PhD in material engineering or relevant field (insect evolution and/or development, chemical engineering)
- Genuine interest in working with biological systems
- Willingness to develop sustainable materials
- Excellent communication skills in oral and written English (everyday, lay, and scientific)
- Excellent record-keeping skills
- Commitment to excellent lab organization and resource maintenance
- Constructive, open-minded, and proactive outlook and approaches to the work
- Teamwork mindset, kindness, and collegiality
- Being helpful, responsible, and accountable in research and working
- Being happy to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment
- Being comfortable working in an international lab where the standard language is English
- Active initiatives to apply for opportunities (e.g., fellowships and grants) to enhance one's training and career prospect
(Preferred)
- Experience and expertise working across scientific boundaries
- Experiences in working internationally and with diverse groups of colleagues
- Experience in writing primary research papers as the main author
For Postdoctoral Scholar: Expected Annual Salary: 4.5M-5.9M yen
In accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations
*This amount represents the expected annual salary range for this position, which will be determined based on the candite’s experience, skills and background in accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations.
Benefits:
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Access to Child Development Center
- Access to Schooling Options
- Language Education
- Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
- Remote Work system
- Cover letter (English)
- Curriculum vitae (English)
- Names and contact information of 2-3 referees, one of which should be a previous employer
* Please be sure to indicate where you first saw the job advertisement.
How to Apply
Apply by submitting your application documents to:
* OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff.
* Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications. OIST Privacy Policy
* Recruiting Organization: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation
* Prevention of Passive Smoking: No smoking indoors
* Please view our policy for rules on external professional activities
(Information Disclosure – 10. Others – 6. OIST Rules for Concurrent Appointment).
* Further details about the University can be viewed on our website
Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 2 years. Contract initially with 6-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed by taking into consideration the performance, conduct, and behavior of the Employee and OIST’s financial and other circumstances.
Full-time 9:00-17:30 (Discretionary)
Holidays
Saturday, Sunday, National holidays, and Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3)
Leave
Annual Paid Leave, Summer Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave
Overtime work hours
Discretionary Working Hours System：
In the discretionary labor system for specialized work, the employee shall be deemed to have worked 7 hours 30 minutes per day.
We thank all those who apply but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.