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Seeking a Research Scientist and Research Associate (C22-0101)

Laboratory

Basic Laser Development Team
Laser-Driven Electron-Acceleration Technology Group
Innovative Synchrotron Radiation Facility Division
RIKEN SPring-8 Center
(Laboratory head: Takunori Taira)

Outline of Laboratory

Our laboratory has proposed "micro solid-state photonics" based on microdomain control, which involves designing substances and materials on the micrometer order, the same as the wavelength of light, and has led the field in the development of microchip lasers, ceramic lasers, and large-diameter QPM elements. The Basic Laser Development Team will develop "giant microphotonics" that aims to realize and emphasize the required optical functions to increase brightness and produce giant light, and will conduct research and development of a power laser system that will contribute to laser-driven electron accelerator systems using a tiny integrated laser (TILA) that makes full use of a distributed surface cooling (DFC) structure. For more information about the research team, please see the SPring-8 Center Basic Laser Development Team page.

Job title and Job description

Job Title

Research Scientist: 1 position, Research Associate 1 position

Research Scientist
A person who has a doctorate in a field related to [Job Description] and has been there for more than 5 years. A person who has knowledge and experience of optical (laser) technology and vacuum technology (Master's degree or higher is acceptable if the person has more than 10 years of experience in optical (laser) development work).
Research Associate
Master's degree or higher in a field related to [Job Description]. Or those who are recognized as having equivalent abilities. Also, those who are actively aiming to obtain a doctorate in the future. Those who have knowledge and experience in the development and maintenance of lasers (Bachelor's degree or higher is acceptable if they have more than 10 years of experience in light (laser) development work).

Job description

Optical design and amplifier development for the development of a joule-class pulse laser system.
Development of UV and THz lasers.
Demonstration of electron acceleration using THz waves and preparation of a platform for social collaboration.

Research Scientist
Carry out research and other work in accordance with research themes.
Research Associate
Carry out team research projects etc. under the mentorship and training of supervisors.

The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualification

  • Knowledge of optical (laser) technology.
  • Proactive, cooperative, flexible, and able to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Communicative, and able to work in cooperation with people inside and outside the lab.
  • Ability to travel between the Institute for Molecular Science (Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture) and SPring-8 Center (Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo Prefecture). (Research and development is planned at both locations, and business trips between the two locations are expected to be made approximately twice a month.)

Work location

National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Institute for Molecular Science, (38 Nishigo, Myodaji, Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture) or RIKEN SPring-8 Center (1-1-1, Hikari, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo Prefecture)

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

  • 1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years (Research Associate at the end of the fiscal year marking 5 years) of employment.
  • 2. RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, workload at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.
  • 3.A research evaluation will be conducted in the third year, and depending on that evaluation, the contract may not be renewed for the fourth year.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period.
Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. The monthly base salary is 361,000 JPY for researchers and 248,700 JPY for research associates. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations. Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied..
The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:.
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 405,000 JPY for researcher and more than 279,000 JPY for research associate..
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.
Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (childcare, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment).
There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

  • *RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity,and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.
  • *Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003, and eligible applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).
  • *RIKEN has a work-from-home system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the work-from-home system is not available for this position. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at takunori.taira@riken.jp

Application and required documents

Required documents

How to apply

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

For Research Scientist position, Innovative Synchrotron Radiation Facility Division, Laser-Driven Electron-Acceleration Technoligy Group, Basic Laser Development Team, SPring Center, RIKEN

For research associates position, Innovative Synchrotron Radiation Facility Division, Laser-Driven Electron-Acceleration Technoligy Group, Basic Laser Development Team, SPring Center, RIKEN

The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (takunori.taira@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the subject line "SPring Center research scientist [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)" for researchers and "SPring Center research scientist [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)" research associates. Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

For Research Scientist position, Innovative Synchrotron Radiation Facility Division, Laser-Driven Electron-Acceleration Technoligy Group, Basic Laser Development Team, SPring Center, RIKEN

For research associates position, Innovative Synchrotron Radiation Facility Division, Laser-Driven Electron-Acceleration Technoligy Group, Basic Laser Development Team, SPring Center, RIKEN

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (takunori.taira@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: takunori.taira@riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

As soon as the candidates are decided

Handling Personal Data

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

Selection process

After document screening, only those who pass the screening will be interviewed.

Start of Employment

April 1, 2025 (negotiable)

Remarks

Please send your questions via email.

Contact Information

Email: takunori.taira@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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