Call for applications for FY2012 FPR
The call has been closed.
Research is moving forward at RIKEN
RIKEN is now accepting applications for Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher (FPR) positions for FY2012. These positions are for foreign young scientists who have demonstrated creative and innovative ideas and who can be expected to achieve broad international recognition in the future.
1. Outline
RIKEN will invite as Foreign Postdoctoral Researchers foreign young scientists who have demonstrated creative and innovative ideas. The intent of this program is to have these young scientists contribute to the advancement of RIKEN's research, and to lay the foundations for a truly global RIKEN that actively encourages foreign participation in its activities. By inviting researchers from other countries, RIKEN hopes to achieve a stimulating research environment that transcends national boundaries, and to thereby become a global leader of scientific endeavor.
Foreign Postdoctoral Researchers will be expected to make full use of RIKEN's research environment and to apply their creative and innovative ideas, under the direction of RIKEN's laboratory heads, to the research currently being conducted at RIKEN.
2. Fields of Research
Physics, chemistry, biology, medical science, engineering, and any other fields related to research now being conducted at RIKEN.
3. Number of Openings
Around 18
4. Qualifications
Applicants must fulfill all the conditions below.
- Applicants should be non-Japanese citizens.
- Applicants must have a PhD in the natural sciences awarded on or after January 1, 2006, or expect to be awarded a PhD by the date of hire.
Note: Those with PhDs acquired prior to December 31, 2005, may also apply if there was a lapse in their research activity due to the taking of maternity leave, childcare leave, non-research employment at a private corporation, or similar reason, and if subtracting this period of non-research activity will allow them an equivalency that meets the above requirement. - Applicants must be able to start working at RIKEN within fiscal year 2012 (April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013).
- RIKEN employees may not apply for this position.
5. Place of work
The location of the host RIKEN laboratory.
Please consult the FPR desk prior to applying if the primary place of work is likely to be outside of Japan.
6. Contract duration
- From date of hire to March 31, 2013.
- The contract can be renewed for up to a maximum total duration of 3 years depending on the results of an evaluation made prior to the end of the current contract year.
7. Remuneration
Base salary is 487,000 yen per month. The amount is gross income before taxes and social insurance premium deduction. A commuting allowance (actual cost up to maximum of 45,000 yen per month) and a housing allowance (partial payment of rent) are also available.
Moving expenses to take up the position at RIKEN will be reimbursed in accordance with RIKEN regulations.
Days off are Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, New Year holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan. 3) and RIKEN Foundation Day.
Other provisions as per RIKEN regulations.
- An annual research budget of 1 million yen will be allocated to the host laboratory.
- * The salary is as paid in fiscal 2010
- * Recipients of fiscal 2003 JASSO category 1 (interest free) graduate school loans will
be eligible to have their loan repayment waived. - * Eligible to apply for external funding, such as "kakenhi".
- * If maternity or childcare leave are taken during the contract period, RIKEN's
regulations allow the contract to be extended.
8. Application procedures and deadline
To apply
(1)Applicant
Notification of intent to apply:
Reference materials will be sent to those with an interest in applying. Send an e-mail to fpr@riken.jp by May 20, 2011, indicating your intent to apply for the position of Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher (FPR).
Contact the laboratory where you would like to work and find out if your application will be considered:
Explain your research field, experience, and achievements, and discuss with the head of the laboratory the possibility of your participation in the laboratory's work, the topics you might pursue, your research plans, and how your duties in the laboratory will be allocated. Please note that not all laboratories are accepting FPRs this year. Refer to the list of host laboratories.
Application documents and submission requirements:
Once a laboratory has agreed to accept you as a FPR and you have settled on your research topic and other conditions, you must prepare the documents listed below and
submit directly to the host laboratory.
Please use the checklist provided in item 10 to make sure you have prepared all the required documents.
Application registration:
By May 20, 2011, access the URL given below and register your application by filling in the required items online. Note: This website will not be activated until April 1.
URL: https://sv84.wadax.ne.jp/~riken-fs-com/registration2011/form2_en/
- Application documents A: to be prepared by the applicant
- (1) FPR application form with photo
- 1 original - (2) Curriculum vitae
- 1 original
- (3) Research achievements
- 1 original
*The purpose of this document is to provide the search committee with information on your most important research achievements. Please describe background and your contribution to joint publications and keep your description succinct and within one A4 page. If you have many major research achievements and numerous related papers, number the list of research achievements and use the same numbers when referring to those achievements in your outline. - (4) Publication and presentation list
- 1 original
- (5) Research topic proposal outline
- 1 original
*Describe title, objective, content, annual plan for three years; no more than three A4 pages - (6) Presentation handouts
- 1 original
*The purpose of this document is to provide the search committee with information on your research topic proposal in lieu of an interview. Please keep your description within 5 pages or 5 PowerPoint slides. - (7) Letters of Recommendation from one or two persons who can evaluate your work
- 1 or 2 letters
*There is no required form, but the letter should start out "Dear RIKEN President" and should include the name and contact information of the person making the recommendation. If you arrange to have the letter(s) of recommendation sent directly to the host laboratory, make sure that the applicant's name is on the envelope and that the letter is sent to arrive no later than Friday, May 27, 2011 (Japan Standard Time). - (8) Copies of items (1) to (6) - 4 sets
*Collate each set of (1) to (6) and secure with a paper clip at the top left corner - (9) Copies of up to 3 most important publications - 4 sets
- (10) Application checklist
- 1 original
- (11) Questionnaire (optional)
- 1 original
Submission procedure
Place all application documents A in an envelope, label the envelope, "Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher application," and post mail or hand-deliver to the
host laboratory. If you mail your application, please send as certified mail so that there will be a record of delivery.
Deadline
Must arrive by 5 pm on Friday, MAY 20, 2011 (Japan Standard Time)
(2)Host laboratory
Check application documents A:
Check the documents submitted by the applicant to make sure they are all in order. If there are any discrepancies, contact the applicant to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
Document preparation and submission:
Download the Request to host an FPR form and submit to the Global Relations Office together with the applicant's application documents A.
- Application documents B: to be prepared by the host laboratory
- (1) Request to host an FPR
- 1 original
- (2) Copies of above - 4 sets
- (3) Application documents A from applicant - Full set
Submission procedure
Place all application documents B in an envelope, label the envelope, "Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher application," and hand-deliver or post mail to the
Global Relations Office.
If you mail the documents, please send as certified mail so that there will be a record of delivery. Please DO NOT use the RIKEN internal mail system.
FPR Desk
Global Relations Office, RIKEN
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198 Japan
Deadline
Must arrive by 5pm on Friday, June 3, 2011 (Japan Standard Time)
9. Selection process and schedule
(1) Selection will be made on the basis of submitted documents and consultation.
(2) Notification of the screening results will be made in writing to the applicant and head of the host laboratory in mid-September 2011.
10. Inquiries
FPR Desk
Global Relations Office, RIKEN
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198 Japan
Fax: +81-48-463-3687
Email: fpr@riken.jp
All inquiries should be made by email or fax. Telephone calls cannot be accepted.
No inquiries regarding the number or type of applicants or the screening process, please.
11. Other matters
- The application documents, except for the Request to host an FPR (to be filled out by the host laboratory), must be filled out in English.
- Incomplete applications may not be accepted.
- We cannot return or replace application documents.
- Submitted documents will be handled in accordance with the RIKEN rules concerning personal information, and only used for screening applications for this position. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred, or lent to any third party without a justifiable reason.
- All costs incurred in submitting the application must be paid by the applicant.
- The research results of successful applicants will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the individual contract.
- You may only apply for one laboratory, but you may list more than one research topic.
- The provisions for this position are premised on RIKEN's current budget and are subject to change with any change in the budget.
- If successful applicants will not have acquired their PhD by the date of hire, the job offer will be cancelled.
- Relocation allowances (Actual Travel Cost, Prescribed Moving Allowances and Installation Allowance) will be paid upon arrival at RIKEN.
- Foreign Postdoctoral Researchers may not receive any scholarship, fellowship, or similar type of funds from outside sources during their terms of contract.
