Laboratory

Topological Electronics Research Team,
RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
(Laboratory head: Minoru Kawamura)

Research Field

We study various quantum transport phenomena in electronic systems in solids. In particular, we focus on thin film crystals and heterostructures of materials with non-trivial band structure topology and strong spin-orbit interactions, and study phenomena in which electronic correlation and/or geometrical phase play an important role. Through these studies, we aim to discover new quantum phenomena that will advance our understanding of condensed matter physics, and to explore electronic and spintronic functions using these phenomena, opening the door to new technologies.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist 1 or 2 positions

• Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree less than 5 years.
• Research Scientist is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or more.

*Job judgment will be decided based on applicant's ability, aptitude etc.

Job description

The successful candidates will fabricate heterostructure thin films and devices of topological materials, semiconductors, and superconductors, and conduct experimental research on their transport properties.

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

Qualifications

The candidate should possess a doctoral degree by experimental study in the solid state physics field, or the candidate will be able to obtain a doctoral degree by experimental study in the solid state physics field before the work start date.

Work location

Topological Electronics Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
(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 305,100 JPY for Postdoctoral researcher and 361,000~484,100 JPY for Research Scientist, as of April 1, 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:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 342,915 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher and 405,760~544,115 JPY or more for 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.
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).

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.

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)
  • *Write the open call ID “W24004”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in open call ID section in the upper right corner of your CV.
• 2.List of research achievements and publications
• 3.Outlines of your research projects to date (3 pages, A4 size)
• 4.Your future research plans and perspectives if you are accepted for the position (3 pages, A4 size)
• 5.A letter of recommendation from your current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
• 6.One set of copies of your major papers (5 papers at the maximum)
• 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

How to apply

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

For Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist position, Topological Electronics Research Team, Center for Emergent Matter Science

The uploaded file name should contain your name.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (minoru [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 subject line " Center for Emergent Matter Science, position name [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

For Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist position, Topological Electronics Research Team, Center for Emergent Matter Science

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (minoru [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: minoru [at] riken.jp.

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

Topological Electronics Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Email: minoru [at] riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.