Overview
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Description
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) or expect to obtain it before joining
Possess strong research skills in genetics or related fields
Must not have been enrolled at NIG previously (postdocs, technical staff, or SOKENDAI students are not eligible)
Must be able to actively contribute to on-site research at NIG
Long-term research stays outside NIG are generally not accepted
Additional Information
Degree Level
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Research Areas Laboratories
A limited number of postdoctoral positions are available across multiple research laboratories, including:
Genome Informatics
Evolutionary & Ecological Genetics
Neurobiology and Neural Circuits
Plant Genetics & Cytogenetics
Cell Architecture & Chromosome Biochemistry
Molecular Life History & Symbiosis Research
Applicants must consult with a prospective Principal Investigator (PI) before applying.
Benefits
Selected NIG Postdoctoral Fellows will receive a competitive annual salary of approximately ¥4,100,000 JPY (including tax). Additional benefits include:
Commuting allowance (subject to conditions)
Health insurance through MEXT Mutual Aid Association
Employment and accident insurance
Eligibility to apply for KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research)
This makes the NIG Postdoctoral Fellowship one of the most attractive fully funded postdoctoral programs in Japan.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) or expect to obtain it before joining
Possess strong research skills in genetics or related fields
Must not have been enrolled at NIG previously (postdocs, technical staff, or SOKENDAI students are not eligible)
Must be able to actively contribute to on-site research at NIG
Long-term research stays outside NIG are generally not accepted
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit one merged PDF file containing:
Curriculum Vitae and desired laboratory
Summary of Past Research (1 page)
List of Publications & Achievements
Research Plan at NIG (5 pages total)
Additional submissions:
Reference letter from supervisor
Reference letter from host PI
Up to 3 representative research papers (optional)
All documents must be prepared in English or Japanese using the official NIG formats.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of two stages:
Document review
Results announced by early August.
Date: September 16
Format: On-site in Japan or online via Zoom
Includes a 12-minute presentation and Q&A session
Final results will be announced by the end of September.
How To Apply
Applicants must email their complete application to:
Email: nigshien@nig.ac.jp
Subject Line: [Applicant Name] Applications for NIG Postdoctoral Fellows 2026
Applications missing any required documents will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Why Choose The Nig Postdoctoral Fellowship
World-class genetics research environment
Competitive funding in Japan
Collaboration with top researchers
Strong career development support
Ideal for researchers seeking postdoc positions in Japan
Official Website: https://www.nig.ac.jp/nig/
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Is the National Institute of Genetics Postdoctoral Fellowship fully funded? Yes, the National Institute of Genetics Postdoctoral Fellowshipis fully funded. It offers an annual salary of approximately ¥4.1 million JPY, along with health insurance, employment insurance, commuting allowance (where applicable), and eligibility to apply for competitive Japanese research grants such as KAKENHI.
Who is eligible to apply for the NIG Postdoctoral Fellowship in Japan? Applicants must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) or be expected to obtain it before the start date. Candidates must demonstrate strong research ability in genetics or related life science fields and must not have been previously enrolled at the National Institute of Genetics as postdoctoral staff, technical staff, or graduate students.
What is the application deadline for the NIG Postdoctoral Fellowship? The application deadline for the NIG Postdoctoral Fellowship is July 7 at noon (Japan Standard Time). Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted, so applicants are advised to prepare their documents and contact their prospective host PI well in advance.
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Card
Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
National Institute of Genetics
Degree
Fellowship, Post Doctorate
Subjects
All Subjects, Genetics
Nationality
International Students
Country
Japan
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.