Academic Research Fellow

synthesis, and evaluation of molecular-robot components. https://molbot-ex.org/index.html

Work content and job description
The E01 Group is an integration hub that aggregates the multi-layered, heterogeneous data (including negative data) generated across the A01–D01 Groups into a cross-domain data lake, and uses explainable AI (XAI) and AI research agents to extract design knowledge and feed it back into the next experiment. The research area aims to overcome the "individual-dependence" of experimental know-how and to realize molecular robots with Self-X (self-repair, self-adaptation, self-termination, etc.) capabilities.
As part of this DBTL cycle linking AI-based molecular design with automated experiments, the successful applicant will mainly work on:

• Synthesis-and-evaluation loop for AI de novo-designed protein components: express AI de novo-designed proteins using a rapid gene-synthesis method (an original, PCR-free, isothermal approach that assembles ~1 kbp gene DNA from chemically synthesized short oligo DNAs) together with a cell-free translation system, experimentally validate their function/structure, and feed the results into the data lake to build a DBTL loop.
• Automated preparation and functional measurement of liposome/droplet-type molecular robots: extend the automated preparation and measurement system for multi-cellular molecular robots based on liposomes/droplets (tens of μm in diameter; developed jointly with the D01 Group) and connect it to AI/data-driven design and evaluation.

Beyond these, the researcher will select and pursue themes aligned with the scope of the research area and their own aptitude (e.g., enhancement of existing DNA components; automated design of DNA state machines / DNA circuits; reaction systems that convert and amplify biomarker molecules into single-stranded DNA).
By feeding the resulting experimental data and metadata (both successful and unsuccessful) into the data lake and linking them with XAI/AI-agent design-knowledge extraction, the work contributes to substantially shortening the design–verification process. Collaboration with research

Assigned department
Existing departments

Work location
Address
980-8579 Miyagi 6-6-01, Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai Aobayama Campus, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University (Subway Tozai Line, "Aobayama" Station)

Number of hired
Number of hired: 1 person(s)

Additional Information

Benefits

Compensation
Annual salary: 4 million yen - 6 million yen
Wages description: Daily wage set per university regulations based on academic/work history (equivalent to Assistant Professor/Research Associate; JPY 13,742–19,634/day depending on years of experience). Commuting, housing, and retirement allowances; social insurance applies.
Working hours: 08:30-17:15
Break time: 12:00-13:00
Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end/new-year (Dec 29–Jan 3).
Annual paid leave (granted 6 months after hiring), refresh leave, etc.
Overtime and other explanations: Per university rules (fixed hours; the discretionary-work system does not apply).
Employment type: Contract employee
Employment type description: Academic Research Fellow (Junshokuin, full-time)
Contract period: Nontenured
Contract period description: From the start date to the end of the fiscal year (March 31, 2027). Renewable yearly within the research-area period depending on performance, evaluation, and budget (for non-Japanese nationals, the term is capped by the period of stay).
Probationary period: Probationary period absent

Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is prohibited on the entire premises.

Supplementary explanation of compensation
Tohoku University promotes gender equality; where candidates are evaluated as equally qualified, women will be actively hired. Work-life-balance support systems are available.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Tohoku University

Country: Japan

City: Miyagi