Laboratory

Emergent Photodynamics Research Group
RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
(Group Director: Naoki Ogawa)

Research Field

Emergent Photodynamics Research Group explores novel optical properties in quantum materials by using various spectroscopic tools including ultrafast imaging, nonlinear spectroscopy, Brillouin/Raman scattering, and magneto-optics.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher: 1 position

Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree less than 5 years.

Job description

Novel electronic and magnetic dynamics in a wide range of quantum materials will be explored and controlled by combining broadband linear/nonlinear/ultrafast spectroscopic techniques with various external stimuli, such as electric/magnetic fields and high pressure.

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

Qualification

Doctoral degree (or equivalent research ability and background) in the relevant research field. Experiences on ultrafast optics, or optical spectroscopy targeting strongly correlated, multiferroic, or quantum materials are desired.

Work location

RIKEN Wako (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.
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 5 years of employment.
• 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 70 years.
• 3.When the center to which the Employee is affiliated is scheduled for a final review in FY2024 and it is decided that the Employee's research will not be continued, the provision given above for projects of limited duration applies and the Employee's contract will not be renewed for the FY2025 year that would extend employment beyond the center's final fiscal 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 300,000 JPY as of April 1st 2024. 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:
Please indicate either Pattern 1 or Pattern 2 listed below.

The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 360,000 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 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.

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

Application and required documents

Required documents

• 1.Complete CV or CV (with photo and email address)
  Please indicate either A or B.
  • A(RIKEN CV) Write the open call ID “W23335”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in open call ID section in the upper right corner of your CV.
  • B(Original CV) Write down in the notes section of your CV the number written next to the title of the job position (e.g. W23335).
• 2.Research and development achievements (list of publications, list of patents, list of presentations etc.)
• 3.Outlines of your research and development projects to date (3 pages, A4 size)
• 4.Your future research and development plans and perspectives if you are accepted for the position (3 pages in A4 size in total)
• 5.A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
  • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• 6.One set of copies of your major papers (maximum number: 5)
• 7.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
  • *If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA)or UK, you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)" with your signature.
    • *You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
      Data protection | European Commission
    • *You will find detailed information about Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK GDPR) on the following website:
      Data Protection and the EU | Information Commissioner’s Office

In addition to the above 5 items, the following documents are required for all candidates:
"Confirmation Sheet” and “Confirmation of employment duration and duties form".
For non-Japanese candidates, visa related documents will also be required.

How to apply

Please make inquiries to the contact address listed below, then send the PDF formatted application by email at the same contact address.
Recommendation letter must be directly submitted from the referees to the contact address.

Note: Application 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 at RIKEN. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

Selection process

Application screening and interview for selected applicants

Start of Employment

As early as possible

Contact Information

Emergent Photodynamics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Group Director, Dr. Naoki Ogawa
Email: naoki.ogawa [at] riken.jp

Note

Updated as of Apr 1, 2024:　"Laboratory"