Laboratory

Advanced Organic Synthesis Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Team Leader: Laurean Ilies)

Research Field

Our team aims at the development of “next generation synthesis”. We are working on the development of new catalytic systems for direct and selective coupling of organic molecules to create molecular complexity. We are also interested in the development of sustainable catalysis and organometallic reagents using Earth-abundant metals. Please contact the team leader for details.

For more information, please refer to the following website:
Advanced Organic Synthesis Research Team website

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Postdoctoral Researcher 2 positions

Job description

Contribute to the research described at the research field, especially the development of catalytic C-H activation.
Receives developmental guidance from supervisor and conducts laboratory research programs.

Qualification

The candidate should have obtained a PhD within the past five years, or expected to receive a degree by the start of their appointment.

*From the viewpoint of career development, the tenure at RIKEN as a Postdoctoral Researcher at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science is within five years in principle.

The candidate should have a strong background and experimental skills in synthetic organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and catalysis, and should be strongly motivated and creative. English will be used for research discussions.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (Wako Branch)
(2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)

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

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 5 years of employment.
  Please note that from the viewpoint of career development, the tenure of a Postdoctoral Researcher at RIKEN will not, in principle, be reappointed for a period exceeding five years.
• 2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load 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 65 years.
• 3.In principle, the center is set to continue its research to the end of the Mid- to Long-term Plan (7 years from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2025).
  However, if it is decided that the research project with which the Employee is involved will not be continued, the above provision on continuation of the “research center, laboratory or project” applies and there will be no re-employment for FY 2025 (from April 1, 2025)

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 295,100 JPY as of April 1, 2023. 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 monthly salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 330,000 JPY or more.

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 not permitted on site except in designated smoking areas. Smoking will be entirely prohibited on site from April 2024.
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.

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to the HR at kids [at] riken.jp.

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).

Application and required documents

Required documents

• 1. Complete CV or CV
  • *Using the RIKEN format above is appreciated.
  • *On the first page of your CV, in the top right-hand corner, please indicate the public call number (W22285) and the name of the position for which you are applying
• 2.List of research achievements (Publications, Presentations, awards and others.)
  • *Also attach one copy of recent paper of the research field relevant to the field of the applicant applies for.
• 3.Past research achievements and future aspirations (2-3 pages, A4 size, in English)
• 4.A letter of recommendation from the PI of current laboratory
  • *The letter should be addressed to the Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Director.
  • *A recommendation from a third party is allowed when it is difficult for the candidate to obtain a recommendation from the PI of current laboratory.
  • *In addition to a signature or signature stamp of the nominator, an image of the signature pasted on or emailed to the nominator can also be accepted.
• 5.Certificate of graduation of the most recent education, or a copy of Diploma
• 6.Contact detail of one or two reference
• 7.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 letter combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following website:

Application documents for Postdoctoral Researcher, Advanced Organic Synthesis Research Team

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

The letter of recommendation must be submitted directly by the recommender.

Please upload the file with the file name "Recommendation letter for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher in the Advanced Organic Synthesis Research Team (applicant's name)" and include the applicant's name and the recommender's name and contact details (affiliation, job title, telephone number and email address) in the text, to the link below. After the upload is complete, please make sure to inform laurean.ilies [at] riken.jp of the name of the uploaded file.

Application documents for Postdoctoral Researcher, Advanced Organic Synthesis Research Team

*Note:If the submission requirements are not met, your application will not be received.

Deadline

Open until the position is filled

• *Note: Application documents will not be returned.
• *Note: Only successful applicants will be notified by email (within 10 days of the application deadline).

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

After screening of documents, only those who pass the selection process will be selected for an interview. (Remote or face-to-face interview)

*Travel and accommodation expenses incurred during the interview and selection process are to be borne by the applicant.

Start of Employment

As early as possible (Negotiable)

Contact Information / Send application to

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Advanced Organic Synthesis Research Team
Email: laurean.ilies [at] riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

Note

Updated as of May. 25, 2023:　"Work location" and "Salary and benefits"