Summary
The Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (WPI-AIMEC)—a joint alliance between Tohoku University and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)—is seeking 6 to 7 motivated researchers. The roles focus on elucidating and predicting marine ecosystem responses to environmental changes through cross-disciplinary and international collaborative research. Successful candidates will receive competitive startup funds and comprehensive support through a unique Double Mentor System.
Job Details at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Position Openings | 6 to 7 positions |
| Job Type | Fixed-term employee (Discretionary labor system) |
| Contract Period | AIMEC Researcher: Up to 5 years (ends Oct 31, 2031) AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher: Up to 3 years (ends Oct 31, 2029) |
| Salary Range | AIMEC Researcher: JPY 7,000,000 – 14,000,000 / year AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher: JPY 6,600,000 – 7,200,000 / year |
| Research Startup Funds | Researcher: 3 million yen (1st year) Postdoctoral Researcher: 2 million yen (1st year) |
| Benefits | Relocation allowance, commuting expenses, full social insurance coverage, and welfare benefits. |
Designations
- AIMEC Researcher(Tohoku University: Professor or Associate Professor / JAMSTEC: Project Researcher)Expected to independently conduct advanced research, take a leading role in transdisciplinary/international collaborations, and publish high-impact results contributing to the Grand Challenges.
- AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher(Tohoku University: Assistant Professor / JAMSTEC: Postdoctoral Researcher)Expected to develop advanced experimental/analytical methods, actively participate in collaborative research, and proactively contribute to the Grand Challenges under the direction of a leader.
Research Areas & Clusters
Elucidating and predicting marine ecosystem responses to environmental changes across physical oceanography, marine biology, and data-driven planetary stewardship.
Applicants must align their research plan with one of the following three clusters targeting WPI-AIMEC’s Grand Challenges (GCs):
- Cluster 1: Climate-Ocean-Ecosystem Interactions (GC1, GC2, GC3)
- Focus: Large-scale ocean variability, surface-to-mesopelagic coupling, and biogeochemical cycling in the Northwest Pacific.
- Expertise: Physical oceanography, meteorology, remote sensing, paleoceanography, biogeochemistry, marine data science, AI/machine learning simulation.
- Cluster 2: Coastal Marine Ecosystem Change (GC4)
- Focus: Coastal ocean-ecosystem dynamics (using Onagawa Bay as a core field), marine heatwaves, deoxygenation, and resilience assessment.
- Expertise: Marine biology, ecology, molecular biology, fisheries science, environmental impact assessment, bioinformatics, AI/predictive modeling.
- Cluster 3: Projection and Planetary Stewardship (GC5)
- Focus: Predicting marine ecosystem changes, integrating AI, eDNA, and citizen science to support regional-to-global ocean economy and policy.
- Expertise: Marine economics, marine policy, theoretical ecology, disaster science, data assimilation, digital twin technology, Earth system science.
Location
Assignments will be determined based on the candidate’s background and research direction:
- Tohoku University: Aobayama Campus, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- JAMSTEC: Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences (YES), Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan(Note: Hybrid/teleworking options are available at the employee’s discretion).
Eligibility & Qualifications
- AIMEC Researcher: Must hold a Ph.D. in a closely related field of research or technology development.
- AIMEC Postdoctoral Researcher: Must have obtained (or expect to obtain) a Ph.D. by November 1, 2026. Applicants must have obtained their Ph.D. after April 2021 (no more than 5 years elapsed from the end of the fiscal year they graduated).
- Language: Daily work and interviews are conducted entirely in English; Japanese language proficiency is not required.
Job Description
Candidates will join an international platform designed to foster open participation across fields. Key duties include utilizing disciplinary expertise to solve complex marine ecosystem puzzles, creating research outcomes that promote planetary stewardship, and adopting the Double Mentor System—where two mentors from different research fields support your interdisciplinary growth and transition to life in Japan.
How to Apply
- Prepare Required Documents (in PDF format):
- a) Detailed CV (including valid email, home address, and complete educational history from high school upward).
- b) Summary of your past research (1 page).
- c) Future research plan for WPI-AIMEC, explicitly specifying your desired cluster (1 page).
- d) Publication list (separating peer-reviewed vs. unrefereed, including DOIs) and a list of competitive research funds/scholarships received.
- e) Up to two representative publications (upload a PDF stating “none” if not applicable).
- Submit Online: Upload documents (a) through (e) via the Jobcan Application Portal. Non-Japanese speakers can follow the official Application guide for assistance navigating the form.
- Recommendation Letter: Arrange for one letter of recommendation from a senior research scientist (outside of WPI-AIMEC affiliates) to be sent directly by the recommender to
wpi-aimec_hr@jamstec.go.jpwith the subject line “AIMEC WAM26-001 [Applicant Name]”.
Screened candidates will be invited to an online interview conducted fully in English.
Last Date to Apply
September 6, 2026, at 23:59 Japan Standard Time (JST)
