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Seeking a Senior Research Scientist /Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Associates (CMD2001)

Laboratory

Laboratory for computational molecular design
RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
(Team Leader: Makoto Taiji)

Research Field

The Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) views the functions of molecules, cells, and organs that support all life stages of organisms as a dynamic system, and aims to elucidate developmental, growth and aging phenomena as well as apply their findings to develop regenerative medicine and diagnostics, thereby contributing to the extension of healthy life expectancies.

The Laboratory for computational molecular design is recruiting research/technical employees to carry out a new theme. The research overview of the laboratory is shown below.

In our laboratory/team, we aim to simulate biomolecular interactions and to design effective molecular regulators using large-scale computer simulations. To connect molecular behavior with molecular structure and to predict molecular functions, however, require large scale, atomic level molecular simulations. For the goal, we develop special-purpose high-performance computers for molecular simulations, which enable unprecedented long-term MD simulations. Through collaboration with groups inside and outside BDR, we are designing novel compounds for various target biomolecules by utilizing our computational techniques.

Job title and Job description

Positions available

Senior Research Scientist /Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Associate

Position-specific tasks are as follows:

Senior Research Scientist
Assist the leader of their team or unit, provide instruction to researchers or other members and carry out the research in the team/unit.
Research Scientist
Carry out research and other work in accordance with research themes of the team/unit.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Carry out the research in the team/unit under the direction of their supervisor.
Research Associate
Carry out the research in the team/unit under the direction of their supervisor.

Number of positions

a few positions

Job description

We are now recruiting a person to engage in the research and development of software and hardware for the next-generation special-purpose computer system for molecular dynamics simulations. We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is willing to engage in research and development that actively utilizes new information technology to improve the efficiency of dedicated computers and high-performance parallel computers. Examples of job duties are as follows.

  • Development of software for molecular simulations on special-purpose computers and parallel computers.
  • Development of molecular simulation algorithms suitable for dedicated and parallel computers
  • Application research using molecular simulations with high performance computers, especially development of computational methods.
  • Hardware development of special-purpose computers.
  • Other researches in the interdisciplinary field of structural biology and high performance computing including machine learning.

Qualification

Common to all positions
A person who is able to dedicate themselves to the job by communicating, coordinating and collaborating smoothly with people in and out of the laboratory.
Senior Research Scientist
A PhD holder in the area related to the Job description, with more than 5 years of experience in working in the area after obtaining PhD, and is able to provide direction to other members.
Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher
A PhD holder in the area related to the Job description. In general, those who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years will be appointed as Postdoctoral Researchers, and those who earned a doctorate more than 5 years ago will be appointed as Research Scientists. Exceptions may apply to those with an outstanding record of achievements.
Research Associate
A master’s degree holder in the area related to the Job description or a person recognized as having equal ability. Or, a person who actively pursues PhD in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Research Scientist.

Work location

  • RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (Osaka Campus)
    6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874 (Quantitative Biology Buildings)
  • RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (Yokohama Campus)
    1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

Salary and benefits

Research Scientist / Senior Research Scientist /Research Scientist

  • 1.One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to the end of the fiscal year exceeding 7 years since the initial date of hire.
  • 2.However, the contract renewable period may be changed on the basis of the employee’s abilities, work load, performance, work attitude, continuation of the center, laboratory or project in which the employee is involved, and on the basis of RIKEN’s finance situation and budget condition at the time. In principle, no contract renewal will be made for people 66 years old or older.

Postdoctoral Researcher

  • 1.One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to 5 years since the initial date of hire.
  • 2.However, the contract renewable period may be changed on the basis of the employee’s abilities, work load, performance, work attitude, continuation of the center, laboratory or project in which the employee is involved, and on the basis of RIKEN’s finance situation and budget condition at the time. In principle, no contract renewal will be made for people 66 years old or older.

Research Associate

  • 1.One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to 5 years since the initial date of hire.
  • 2.However, the contract renewable period may be changed on the basis of the employee’s abilities, work load, performance, work attitude, continuation of the center, laboratory or project in which the employee is involved, and on the basis of RIKEN’s finance situation and budget condition at the time. In principle, no contract renewal will be made for people 66 years old or older.
  • 3. Upon evaluation, whether or not the employee actively pursues PhD in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Research Scientist will be judged.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied. Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
No smoking on site (designated smoking areas available).
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

RIKEN is promoting a Gender Equality Program by taking various measures to create a workplace where both men and women are able to give full rein to their talents and abilities. When applicants are judged to be equally qualified on the basis of fair and impartial criteria, women applicants will be given preference.

As for Deputy Team Leader, Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Associate, please include below.
Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before the fiscal year 2003, and eligible for applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1.Curriculum vitae or Curriculum vitae
    • *Email address is required.
    • *Application Number [CMD2001] and position to apply(e.g.: Research Scientist) should be clearly written at top-right in the margin.
    • *Format is free. Or the format attached is available.
  • 2.List of publications (Please categorize : Original article, Review article, Book, Conference presentation, Others)
  • 3.Summary of past research and the result (about 2 pages of A4 paper)
  • 4.Plans for the future research once appointed(about 1 page of A4 paper)
  • 5.Acquisition of competitive external funds (e.g. Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) (Please write: Representative, Contribution)
  • 6.One reference letter from immediate manager or current supervisor
    • *If it is difficult to obtain reference letter from immediate manager or current supervisor, please obtain a letter from a third party.
    • *A reference letter should be addressed to [Center Director, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research]
  • 7.Certificate of degree awarded, Certificate of graduation from the last school, diploma(copy) or graduation certificate from the last school (copy)
  • 8.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
    If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR" with your signature.

    *You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
    Data protection | European Commission

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following website:

(CMD2001) Application for Senior Research Scientist/esearch Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Associates of Laboratory for Computational Molecular Design

  • The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
  • After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following website with the file name" Laboratory for Computational Molecular Design [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

(CMD2001) Application for Senior Research Scientist/esearch Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Associates of Laboratory for Computational Molecular Design

  • After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
  • If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp.

*Please understand that we will not return application documents.

Deadline

We will examine application documents as they are accepted. Application will be closed as soon as the position is filled.

Handling Personal Data

Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

Selection process

Selection will be made based on application screening and interview. After documents screening, only successful applicants will be invited for interview.

*We do not answer to questions regarding contents of the examination.

Start of Employment

As soon as possible (Negotiable)

Contact information

For inquiries on this open position, please contact below by email:
Human Resources Section, Kobe Administrative Division, Kobe Branch, RIKEN
Email: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp

*If you have any research-related questions, please contact taiji [at] riken.jp (Laboratory for computational molecular design, Dr. Makoto Taiji)

Note

  • Updated as of Feb 26, 2021: "Positions available"
  • Updated as of Nov. 8, 2022: "Salary and benefits"
  • Updated as of Dec. 28, 2022: "How to apply"
  • Updated as of Jan. 12, 2023: "How to apply"
  • Updated as of Feb. 13, 2023: "Job title and Job description", "Qualification", "Salary and benefits", "How to apply" and "Work location"
  • Updated as of June. 5, 2023: "Work location", "Salary and benefits"

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