Last March 7, the Molecular Ecology and Health Laboratory (MECOH) has moved to the General Research Bldg. 2, where the Division of Ecosystem Health Sciences of the Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES) is located. Although it was only a 150-meter away from its old home, we all worked hard together and managed to accomplish the mission. Now MECOH is part of CMES, both in name and in reality.  The space is more than three times larger than before. It is very helpful because the number of people and lab equipment is increasing.

MECOH family is  growing! Here are some photos of the new MECOH laboratories and its members. 

Description of the position
The selected PhD candidate will work on wastewater-based epidemiology mainly targeting pathogenic viruses. WET Lab (e.g., DNA/RNA isolation and purification from wastewater, q-PCR) and DRY Lab research (e.g., Phylogenetic analysis, Next-generation Sequencing (NGS)-data processing) will be integrated; their weight balance will be determined based on the expertise and research interest of the candidate. Previous experiences with high-throughput data analysis (e.g., NGS bioinformatics), molecular laboratory analysis (DNA and RNA), and/or wastewater-based epidemiology (e.g., viral detection/quantification) is an advantage.
 
Examples of research topics include but not limited to:

• Develop machine-learning based techniques to detect viruses suspected to be highly infectious to humans or other vectors from genome sequences of known and unknown exhaustive viruses collected from sewage or river water in Japan and developing countries in Asia.
• Establish a surveillance system for DNA/RNA sequences of exhaustive viruses collected from wastewater and to enrich epidemiological information on diverse pathogenic and potentially pathogenic viruses in in Japan and developing countries in Asia.

 
Application deadline and start date of the position

• Application deadline: the 30th April, 2022.
• Start date of the position: Between June 2022 – October 2022 (flexible and late start also negotiable)

 
Eligibility

1. Only non-Japanese nationals are eligible to apply for this position (Japanese nationals are not eligible).
2. There is no age limit.
3. Master's degree in related fields (e.g., molecular biology, environmental science, bioinformatics, microbiology, virology) is required before the start date of the said position (not by the time of application).

 
Contract details

• Duration of contract: Maximum of 4 years and 6 months.

• Full financial support (stipend, tuition, and round-trip ticket) is guaranteed by MECOH’s research projects, and can also be complemented by additional support from scholarships from private foundations in Japan.
• The candidate should be able to work independently, with very good or excellent English communication skills, and can work harmoniously with a team of multi-disciplinary field.
• The successful PhD candidate will also have the chance to study outside of Japan (e.g., Germany, Switzerland, and the USA) for a short period of time (1-2 months) with an additional financial support from the MECOH Lab, under the international collaborative framework of the lab.

 
Application and selection processes
Applicants are encouraged to send the files below to Prof. Kozo Watanabe by email ( [email protected] ).

1. CV (any format)
2. Application letter within 3 pages that explains the applicant’s past research activities and motivation to study in the MECOH lab (any format)
3. PDF of the published paper/s if the applicants have any reviewed Journal publication/s.

 

• Applicants will receive an acknowledgement email from Prof. Watanabe within one week from the application date (not immediate response). If the applicants don't receive any reply, please contact Prof. Watanabe again for your confirmation.
• Shortlisted applicants will be requested for online interview (PPT based presentation and QA). Details will be provided via email.
• Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by Prof Watanabe via email.

 
If you have any questions regarding the said position, please contact the email address above.