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Seeking Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist (W23143)

Laboratory

RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS)
(Program Director: Tetsuo Hatsuda)

Research Field

RIKEN has established the "Transformative Research Innovation Platform of RIKEN Platforms (TRIP). As one of the foundations of TRIP, the RIKEN Consortium for Quantum Computational Science (RIKEN Quantum) , a RIKEN cross-disciplinary framework for bringing innovation to physics, chemistry, and life sciences based on quantum computational science, has been established with the RIKEN iTHEMS en as its hub. This call is open to researchers in any field who wish to participate in RIKEN Quantum.

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist, about 10 positions
Depending on experience, performance and ability, they are employed as postdoctoral researchers (3-year term), research scientists (5-year term) or senior research scientists (7-year term).

Postdoctoral Researcher
Conduct own research projects with a host researcher.
Research Scientist
Conduct own research projects autonomously and to expand the scope of the research through new join projects.
Senior Research Scientist
Conduct own research projects autonomously and to expand the scope of the research through new joint projects. Additionally, contribute the management of RIKEN Quantum.

Job description

This call is for Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Scientists or Senior Research Scientists who will be affiliated with iTHEMS and work (concurrently, if necessary) in one of the following laboratories. RIKEN Quantum aims to promote fundamental science based on quantum computation. Successful candidates will not only conduct top-level research on their own topics, but also contribute to building common ground in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, information science, computational science, and humanities and social sciences through quantum computational science.

The following laboratories are currently participating in RIKEN Quantum.
If you wish to apply, you must first make an enquiry about your research with at least one of the laboratories of your choice (See 【Contact Information】below.).

Mathematical Science and Quantum Computation

Information Science and Quantum Computation

Computational Science and Quantum Computation

Physics and Quantum Computation

Chemistry and Quantum Computation

Life Science and Quantum Computation

Qualification

The candidate should possess or is expected to obtain a doctoral degree by the starting date.

Work location

Branch and address

Depending on their suitability for carrying out the research, one of the following will be their place of work.

  • RIKEN Wako Branch (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama)
  • RIKEN Kobe Branch, East area (6-7-1 Minatojima-minami-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo)
  • RIKEN Kobe Branch, South area (7-1-26 Minatojima-minami-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo)
  • RIKEN Tokyo Campus (Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 15th floor, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

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 3 years (Postdoctoral Researcher), 5 years (Research Scientist) or 7 years (Senior Research Scientist) from the initial date of hire.
  • 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.

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 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 400,000 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher, 500,000 JPY or more for Research Scientist, and 550,000 JPY or more for Senior Research Scientist.

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.
On Wako and Tokyo Campus, smoking is not permitted on site except in designated smoking areas. Smoking will be entirely prohibited on site from April 2024.
On Kobe Campus, no smoking 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).

The Wako Campus and Kobe Campus have an on-site daycare. For details, please send an email to the Wako HR at kids [at] riken.jp or to the Kobe HR at kobe-kosei [at] riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1.Curriculum Vitae*
    • *In the notes section of your CV, include the job position number (e.g. W23143) next to the title of the job position. You may also include your research IDs (ORCID, Google Scholar, etc.).
  • 2.List the laboratory name(s) in which you wish to participate.
  • 3.List of publications (including preprints)
  • 4.Research statement (summary of current and past research relevant to this position; 2 pages max)
  • 5.Research proposal (description of your research objectives over the time scale of the position, and the laboratory names with which you wish to collaborate; 3 pages max)
  • 6.Two letters of recommendation (including one from the current supervisor, if available)
  • 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

Application documents should be uploaded through Academic Jobs Online.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Open until 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

We will first select the application documents that have arrived by Nov. 30, 2023 (JST).
Application screening, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants.

Start of Employment

April 1st, 2024 (Negotiable)

Remarks

Each Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist will be allocated an annual research grant of 1.5 million yen.

Contact Information

In case of enquiries, please contact the following Email with "RIKEN Quantum Researcher (Enquiry: W23143)" in the subject line.

General enquiries about this call

Email: ithems_app [at] ml.riken.jp

Enquiries to individual participating laboratories

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