Assistant Researcher (Part-Time, Short-Term Employee)

About the role

The National Museum of Nature and Science is recruiting an Assistant Researcher for its Department of Paleontology and Anthropology at the Tsukuba Research Center in Tsukuba, Japan. This is a part-time, short-term employee post starting 1 December 2026 or as soon as possible afterwards, with annual renewal possible for up to five years. The work supports a geochemistry laboratory that uses stable isotope analysis and emission spectrometry on foraminifers for environmental studies, and also involves helping to build digital preservation and 3D reconstruction workflows for vertebrate fossils. The working pattern is 7.5 hours a day, four days a week. Pay is stated on the listing as 1,700 yen or 2,250 yen per time, depending on experiences. Applicants must hold a PhD by the time of hiring, have earth science or paleontology research experience with the named techniques or with CT scanners, and have strong Japanese (JLPT N2 or above) or fluent English. Applications close on 9 November 2026 (JST); apply by emailing a CV, a one-page research summary, a publication list and first-author papers to the contact named on the listing page. Researchers who meet the requirements are invited to apply through the application link provided.

Requirements

PhD held by the time of hiring Research experience in earth science or paleontology Experience with stable isotope analysis, emission spectrometry or CT scanners Strong Japanese (JLPT N2 or above) or fluent English Availability for a four-day-per-week pattern in Tsukuba

Skills