| Summary |
The Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI) aims to become a world-leading core center for “Creative Reconstruction,” serving as a source of dreams and hope for the reconstruction of Fukushima and the wider Tohoku region. At the same time, F-REI seeks to contribute to Japan’s economic growth and the improvement of people’s lives by driving advances in the nation’s scientific and technological capabilities and industrial competitiveness.
To achieve these goals, F-REI places the highest priority on recruiting research and development personnel, with Unit Leaders playing a central role in each R&D Unit, and on developing the necessary research infrastructure. In parallel, F-REI plans to progressively expand its functions for industrialization, including support for startups and joint research with companies, as well as its human resource development functions through initiatives such as cooperative graduate school programs and educational programs for younger generations.
The Regional Environment Co-Creation Unit, which is part of Research Area 5, “Collection and Dissemination of Data and Knowledge on Nuclear Disasters,” is seeking fixed-term researchers to conduct the research and development activities described below. Once F-REI’s research facilities become operational, the entire Unit is planned to relocate to the new facilities in Namie Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture.
Unit Policy
• Contribute to environmental recovery from nuclear disasters by elucidating the mechanisms governing
the transport and transfer of radioactive substances in the environment, primarily in Fukushima and other areas affected by nuclear disasters, and by developing methods for environmental recovery, including measures to reduce the transfer of radioactive substances to natural resources.
• Utilize research findings on the environmental dynamics of radioactive substances to study risk assessment, including the effects of human activities and the management of radioactive substance dynamics in living environments. The Unit will also communicate scientific knowledge and engage in risk communication with local residents and the wider public, while continuously and effectively disseminating information across generations and regions.
• Conduct detailed investigation and verification of the environmental behavior of radioactive substances in terrestrial environments, particularly during the early stages of a nuclear disaster, as well as measures to control their transport and dispersion. Based on these findings, the Unit will propose measures for long-term environmental recovery and conservation and take a leading role internationally by disseminating information, in collaboration with international organizations, on environmental recovery initiatives in areas affected by nuclear disasters.
Specific Research Topics of the Unit
• Elucidation of the environmental dynamics of radionuclides in forests, rivers, lakes, and other environments, and development of highly accurate methods for reconstructing environmental dynamics from the early stage of the accident and predicting their long-term evolution.
• Acceleration and advancement of environmental
dynamics modeling through AI, machine learning, data assimilation, and related methods, and development of methods for comparing and evaluating a wide range of environmental recovery scenarios.
• Reconstruction and evaluation of the migration and dispersion of radionuclides during the early stage of a nuclear accident, as well as emergency response measures implemented at the time, including monitoring and decontamination, to develop environmental management methods and technical guidelines for limiting radionuclide migration and dispersion and facilitating rapid environmental recovery in future nuclear emergencies.
• Elucidation of the transfer characteristics of radiocesium to forest resources, freshwater fish, and other environmental resources; development of methods for concentration prediction, zoning, transfer reduction, and resource utilization; and application of research findings to community-based environmental assessment through visualization of research results.
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| 1.Title of the Position |
Researcher |
| 2.Number of Position |
Several |
| 3.Affiliation |
Research and Development Division, Regional Environmental Co-Creation Unit
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| 4.Location |
o Fukushima Prefecture Environmental Creation Center Research Building, 10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, Japan
o Fukushima Institute for Research, Education, and Innovation |
| 5.Specialty Areas |
Environmental Modeling, Hydrology, Hydraulics, Earth Sciences, Computational Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, Geographic Information Science, Forest Science, Forest Ecology, Forest Soil Science, Biogeochemistry, Environmental Radioactivity, Forest Measurement and Remote Sensing |
| 6.Job Description |
The successful candidate will engage in one of the following research and development activities:
(1) Research on the development and advancement of high-precision environmental dynamics and future prediction models integrating forests, rivers, and lakes for radionuclides, with the aim of supporting environmental recovery in areas affected by nuclear disasters and enhancing preparedness for future emergencies. The research will also include accelerating model computation using AI, machine learning, and related approaches, as well as data assimilation, uncertainty assessment, and visualization of research findings.
(2) Research contributing to the restoration of forest environments in the mountainous and hilly areas of the Abukuma Highlands, including elucidation of the transfer characteristics of radiocesium to trees and forest resources, advancement of methods for concentration prediction and zoning, and development of approaches for the safe utilization of forest resources and forest management based on these findings.
For either of the above research areas, applicants should be highly motivated to engage actively in collaborative research and research exchanges with research institutions in Japan and abroad. After appointment, successful candidates may have opportunities to participate in international collaborative research and research exchanges with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the United States and other
institutions. |
| 7.Qualifications |
[Requirements]
(1) A master’s degree or higher.
(2) Research experience in one or more of the fields of expertise listed above is desirable.
(3) Proficiency in either Japanese or English sufficient to perform the assigned duties.
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| 8.Starting Date |
As early as possible, with April 1, 2027 as the target start date.
The start date is negotiable.
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| 9.Term of Appointment |
Fixed-term employment from the date of appointment through March 31, 2028.
The contract may be renewed based on an assessment of the employee’s abilities, work performance, and other relevant circumstances. Renewals will be made on a fiscal-year basis, with employment possible through March 31, 2030.
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| 10.Probationary Period |
Six months from the date of appointment.
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| 11.Working hours and other conditions |
(1) Working hours
8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with a 60-minute lunch break from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Employees may be required to work outside regular working hours when necessary.
Flexible working hours and a discretionary work system are available.
(2) Holidays
Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the year-end/New Year holidays (December 29 through January 3).
(3) Leave
• Annual paid leave, granted according to length of service
• Sick leave
• Special leave
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| 12.Salary and Allowances |
(1) Salary
Annual salary system in accordance with the Salary Regulations for Research Staff of the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation.
The annual salary consists of a fixed salary paid in equal monthly installments and performance-based pay, equivalent to a bonus, paid in March of the following year based on an evaluation of performance during the calendar year (January through December).
Expected annual salary, comprising the fixed salary and performance-based pay for standard performance and excluding allowances:
Approximately JPY 5.5 million (including a fixed salary of JPY 4.4 million) to JPY 13 million (including a fixed salary of JPY 10 million).
The salary will be determined comprehensively based on the applicant’s abilities and experience, as well as the complexity, difficulty, and level of responsibility of the assigned duties.
(2) Allowances
Various allowances are available, including dependent allowance, housing allowance, commuting allowance, unaccompanied assignment allowance, and overtime allowance.
(3) Payment dates
The fixed salary is, in principle, paid on the 16th of each month.
Performance-based pay is, in principle, paid in March of the following year based on an evaluation of performance during the period from January through December.
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| 13.Insurance |
Employees will be enrolled in health insurance, employees’ pension insurance, employment insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. |
| 14.Submission and Contact Information |
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
1. Curriculum Vitae (Form 1)
2. Summary of Research and Development Achievements (Form 2)
3. List of Research Achievements (Form 3)
4. Academic and Social Activities (Form 4)
5. Record of Teaching and Educational Experience (Form 5)
6. Research and Development and Human Resource Development the Applicant Wishes to Undertake at the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI) (Form 6)
7. References Who May Be Contacted Regarding the Applicant (Form 7)
8. PDF files of approximately five major publications, with the journal impact factor and number of citations indicated for each publication
Personal information contained in the application documents will be used solely for the purposes of applicant selection and personnel procedures following appointment and will not be disclosed to third parties.
Application documents will not be returned.
Please combine Documents 1 through 7 above into a single PDF file and submit it together with the documents specified in Item 8 by email.
Please use the following subject line:
“Application (Regional Environment Co-Creation Unit) – Researcher Recruitment”
Contact:
Kaname MIYAHARA
Research and Development Planning Division
Research and Development Promotion Department
Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI)
Tel: +1-240-23-3941
E-mail: F-REI_pa_CDDKND［at］f-rei.go.jp ※Please replace [at] with @, the at symbol.
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| 15.Application deadline |
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Applications will close once the positions have been filled.
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| 16.Selection process |
Candidates who pass the document screening will be invited for an interview.
- Document screening: Conducted on a rolling basis from mid-November 2026
- Interviews: Conducted on a rolling basis from late November 2026
Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified of the results of the document screening.
Applicants may be asked to give a presentation during the interview process.
Multiple interviews may be conducted.
Interviews may be conducted online; however, the final interview will be conducted in person.
Applicants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses associated with interviews. However, travel and accommodation expenses for the final interview will be covered by F-REI.
Applicants will be notified of the selection results by email
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| 17.Measures to Prevent Passive Smoking |
F-REI Headquarters and Miharu Site: Smoking is prohibited throughout the premises.
Other locations designated by F-REI (excluding F-REI Headquarters): The smoking policy of the facility in which the workplace is located will apply.
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| 18.Other |
Other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the Work Rules for Employees of the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation.
The employment conditions described above are current as of the date this recruitment information is posted and are subject to change.
Applications from women researchers are particularly encouraged. |
| 19.Recruiting organization |
Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI) |
