Postdoctoral Position in Marine Genomics Available at the Marine Climate Change Unit at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) | Jobs.InOkinawa

Postdoctoral Position in Marine Genomics Available at the Marine Climate Change Unit

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) 📍 Onna Posted Mar 5, 2025
⚠ Stale ¥4,500,000 – ¥5,900,000/yr

Conduct computational analysis of genomics, epigenomics, and transcriptomics datasets to study coral reef fish acclimation and adaptation to climate change.

The position

Anthropogenic activities are leading to global climate change at an unprecedented rate. Understanding the mechanisms of how coral reef fish cope with environmental shifts is imperative to understand their fate in a changing planet. Little is known about the genomics mechanisms of rapid evolution/phenotypic plasticity to the adaptive response of coral reef fish to changing ocean conditions.

We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow in Molecular Ecology, Genomics, or Computational Biology/Bioinformatics to join the Marine Climate Change Unit/Ravasi's Unit at OIST (https://groups.oist.jp/macc) to work on a long-term project that aims to understand the effects of climate stressors (i.e., ocean acidification and warming) on coral reef fishes. Our main goal is to understand fish acclimation/adaptation to climate change at the genomic level. By using a set of unique multi-generational experiments combined with next-generation sequencing approaches such as genome, epigenome, and transcriptome sequencing, we are trying to unveil the genetics and epigenetics mechanisms underlying fish responses to climate change. The successful candidate will be able to look at a variety of data including physiological responses, but will mainly be working on the computational analysis, integration, and visualization of genomics, epigenomics, and transcriptomics datasets. A considerable amount of new and unpublished sequencing datasets has been already generated and immediately available for this project.

Responsibilities

  1. The successful candidate will take the lead role in the project.
  2. Contribute to the overall activities of the research unit, acting as an effective collaborator and team member.
  3. Supervise the day-to-day work of junior staff, students, and interns.
  4. Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project to ensure it is completed on time and within budget as needed.
  5. Plan own day-to-day activity within the framework of the agreed research program to allow timely submission and acceptance of manuscripts for peer-review publication.
  6. Liaise with colleagues and students to build contacts, exchange information, and form relationships for future collaboration.
  7. Disseminate the research at national and international conferences.
  8. Maintain and update the unit's freely available genomics resources website, http://nemogenome.org.

Requirements

Required

  • Ph.D. in Molecular Ecology, Genomics, Computational Biology/Bioinformatics (or related topics).
  • Experience with next-generation sequencing datasets and experience assembling de novo transcriptomes and genomes.
  • Computing experience, fluency in Linux/Unix, excellent knowledge in a programming language (Python, R, C/C++, etc.).

Preferred

  • Knowledge in marine ecology, fish biology/physiology, and experience in managing collaborative projects.

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
Relocation allowanceHousing allowanceCommuting allowanceHealth insurancePension insuranceChild Development CenterRemote work
Additional Info

Employment Term

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.

Working Hours

Working hours: 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.

Application Documents

  • Cover letter summarizing research interests, professional experience, and career goals
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Names and contact information of 3-5 referees, one of which should be a previous employer

How to apply: Apply by emailing your submission documents to [email protected]

Declaration

  • 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.

Skills & Keywords

Molecular EcologyGenomicsComputational BiologyBioinformaticsNext-Generation SequencingTranscriptomicsEpigenomicsPythonRLinux/Unix
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