Postdoctoral Scholar/Membrane Cooperativity Unit

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST; see www.oist.jp) is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding (OIST campus video tour). There are no academic departments, which facilitates multidisciplinary research. 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

The Membrane Cooperativity Unit at OIST invites applications for a postdoctoral position (Postdoctoral Scholar). We aim to reveal, at very fundamental levels, mechanisms for signal transduction in the plasma membrane and for regulation of neuronal network formation. Our approach is unique in that we directly image and track "single molecules" of interest in living cells and investigate how they move around and interact with each other in living cells.

JI operates on a three-semester schedule, and the successful candidate is expected to teach six courses a year, two courses per semester. All coursework in JI is delivered in English on our Minhang campus in Shanghai, China.

Responsibilities:

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow who will work on one or more of the following general projects, using single-molecule methods.

• Signal transduction mechanism in the plasma membrane, particularly in the context of the signal transduction of Fc epsilon receptor, a GPI-anchored receptor CD59, and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
• Activity-dependent reorganization and structural plasticity of the synapses by studying single-molecule dynamics of neuronal receptors and adhesion molecules.
• Regulation mechanisms for signal transduction in the plasma membrane by the actin-based membrane skeleton We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow who will work on one or more of the following general projects, using single-molecule methods.
• Software development for analyzing single molecule movies.
• Instrument/software development for automating single-molecule imaging of live cells. We are looking for an energetic individual, having the mind of both creativity and teamorientation.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or other doctoral degrees in any fields of science, medicine, or engineering. Experience with cell biology, biophysics, programming, advanced optical and electron microscopy, and/or electrical circuits is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:

In accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations

• For Postdoctoral Scholar: Expected Annual Salary: 4.5M-5.9M yen
• 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

Submission Documents

• (1) CV (including a photo is preferable; in English or Japanese)
• (2) Lists of publications and presentations (include invited lectures at universities)
• (3) Reprints or copies of major academic publications or reviews written by the candidate, up to 5 items
• (4) Summary of research experience (1~3 pages [letter size or A4] in English or Japanese)
• (5) Summary of research interest to be conducted at the Kusumi Unit (0.5~1 pages [letter size or A4] in English or Japanese)
• (6) Names and contact details of two referees

*You could initially contact us by simply sending the documents (1), (2), and (3) indicated above before you start preparing the entire set of application materials. This could save your time and efforts

* 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 OIST after a conditional offer of employment.

How to Apply

Apply by emailing your Submission Documents to: Akihiro.kusumi[at]oist.jp. Please include Jobs.ac.cn in the email title.

(Please replace [at] with @ before using this email address)

By way of submitted documents, and, for selected applicants, an interview and/or a seminar in person or Zoom