Postdoctoral Scholar Position Available/Cell Division Dynamics Unit
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST; see www.oist.jp) is a dynamic graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The school is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking beautiful shorelines and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding (OIST campus video tour). There are no academic departments, which facilitates cross-disciplinary research. Superb resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration. English is the official language of the university, and the research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. After only ten years, OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in research, education, and innovation.
Position Summary:
The Cell Division Dynamics Unit (PI: Tomomi Kiyomitsu) is a new research unit which launched in April 2020. Our unit aims to understand the basic mechanisms of cell division using cultured human cell lines and early embryos of Medaka fish: https://groups.oist.jp/cddu.
We seek a highly motivated postdoc who will advance our unit research by combining cell biology with other high-end technologies including in vitro biochemical reconstitution, structural biology, and Cryo EM/ET.
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.
- Perform research to understand the mechanisms of bipolar spindle assembly and positioning in cultured human cells and/or early Medaka embryos.
- Publish the results in high-quality journals.
- (According to the situations and abilities) supervise graduate students.
[Reference]
- Tsuchiya et al., Current Biology (2021)
- Okumura et al., eLife (2018)
- Natsume et al., Cell Reports (2016)
- Kiyomitsu and Cheeseman, Cell (2013)
- Kiyomitsu and Cheeseman, Nature Cell Biology (2012)
[Review]
- Kiyomitsu and Boerner, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2021)
- Kiyomitsu, Current Opinion in Cell Biology (2019)
(Required)
Ph.D. (imminent or awarded within the last 5 years)
(Preferred)
- Experience of biological imaging using confocal microscopy
- Experience of structural biology research using electron microscopy or Cryo-EM/ET
- Experience of biochemical in vitro reconstitution
- Experience of developmental biology research using Medaka or other fish
- Experience of interdisciplinary research using other high-end technologies
Compensation 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 http://www.shigakukyosai.jp/)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker’s accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
Please submit the following documents in English or Japanese (either language is equally accepted)
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications and presentations
- A brief summary of your previous researches and motivation for this research position
- Names and contact information of 2 referees, one of which should be a PhD supervisor
- Prior to the start of employment all new hires are required to successfully complete a background check. Personal information including employment history and academic background should be submitted to third-party administrators after a conditional offer of employment.
- 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. The University strongly encourages women and minority candidates to apply.
- 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.
- Please view our policy for rules on external professional activities (https://groups.oist.jp/acd/information-disclosure/).
- Further details about the University can be viewed on our website (www.oist.jp).
Full-time, fixed term appointment for 1 year. Contract begins with a 3-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract can be renewed upon mutual agreement
9:00-17:30 (discretionary)