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Seeking Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (W24063)

Laboratory

Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Team Leader: Ryuhei Nakamura)

Research Field

Our group is working on both artificial and biological catalysis. Namely, we are developing electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and other reactions related to clean energy, while also studying the reason behind the diversity of enzymes for amino-acid biosynthesis. While the two topics may seem distant at first glance, both systems are designed to promote specific chemical reactions, and therefore, there are similarities in the underlying principles of physical chemistry. Furthermore, we are currently expanding the theoretical framework such that not only activity, but also selectivity, stability, lifetime, self-replication, and other life-like properties can be predicted mathematically. Based on the multi-dimensional evaluation of both artificial and biological catalytic systems, we aim to promote sustainable energy-material conversion.

For more information, please refer to the following website:
Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team's Website.

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (Several Positions)

Job description

We are looking for members who are interested in understanding the kinetics of catalytic reactions. We welcome both theoreticians who can make predictions, as well as experimentalists to verify these predictions. This work will be part of the JST FOREST project “Advancing the Theory of Catalytic Reaction Networks under Nonequilibrium Conditions”, which covers both biocatalysis and artificial catalysis (electrocatalysis). The project is expected to end on March 31, 2029.

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

Research Scientist
Conducts laboratory research programs and others.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Receives developmental guidance from supervisor and conducts laboratory research programs.

Qualification

All positions

We are looking for members who can perform their research independently and stimulate our research team. Our group is composed of members from diverse backgrounds, such as experiments and theory, or biochemistry and electrochemistry. We are looking for members who enjoy being in this interdisciplinary environment and can use it to their advantage to pursue new research directions. As long as the applicant can contribute to the research project above, there is no restriction on the previous research background, but the following fields may be given as examples:

  • Theoretical: Dynamical systems analysis, control systems theory, and other fields of applied mathematics, as well as mathematical biology, and statistical mechanics.
  • Experimental: Electrocatalysis or biocatalysis, inorganic materials synthesis, protein purification.

Regardless of position or research topic, the applicant must be able to communicate in English.

Research Scientist
A person who has obtained a PhD five or more years ago, or, someone with similar qualifications.
Postdoctoral Researcher
A person who has obtained a PhD within the past five years, or, one who is able to obtain a degree by the start of their post.

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

Work location

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

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 March 31, 2029. For the postdoctoral researcher position, however, the maximum term allowed at CSRS is 5 years. If the five-year period ends before the above maximum contract date, the five-year deadline takes precedence. In case an applicant for the postdoctoral position is currently working, or has previously worked, as a postdoctoral researcher at RIKEN, the total period of that employment as a postdoctoral researcher will be 5-year maximum in total.
  • 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.

Those who wish to continue working at RIKEN beyond this point may apply for open positions.

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 Research Scientists and 305,100 JPY for Postdoctoral Researchers as of April 1, 2024. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

In addition to the salary above, 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:

Research Scientist
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 430,000 to 470,000 JPY.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance for a candidate with 1 year of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 340,000 to 420,000 JPY.

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 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

Research Scientist

Postdoctoral Researcher

How to apply

All documents should be uploaded to:

Application documents for Research Scientist or Postdoc, Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team

The applicant should combine all documents except recommendation letters into a single PDF. This PDF file should have a file name in the format of “ApplicantName.pdf”. For example, “RikenTaro.pdf”.

Recommendation letters should be submitted directly by the referees. The file name should be in a similar format to the main application document, with “ _Recommendation_RefereeName” at the end of the file name. For example, “RikenTaro_Recommendation_JohnDoe.pdf”

We may not process documents or applications which do not meet the submission requirements.

Deadline

Open until the position is filled

  • *Note: Application documents will not be returned.
  • *Note: Only candidates who pass the document screening will be notified by email.

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 (face-to-face or remote).

Start of Employment

As early as possible (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team
Email: nakamuralab-recruit [at] ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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