National Institute of Genetics Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 , Japan (Fully Funded)

The National Institute of Genetics (NIG) Postdoctoral Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers who wish to advance their careers in genetics and life sciences in Japan. This prestigious postdoctoral program recruits talented researchers from around the world and offers competitive funding, cutting-edge research facilities, and collaboration with leading scientists.

The fellowship aims to foster outstanding researchers while strengthening research activities at NIG through high-quality, innovative genetic research.

Degree Level

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Available Subjects

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

Application Procedure

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:

Preliminary Screening

Document review
Results announced by early August.

Interview

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.