Laboratory

Research Instruments Group,
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
(Director: Nobuhisa Fukunishi)

Outline of Laboratory

The research instruments group is the driving force at RI Beam Factory (RIBF) for continuous enhancement of activities and competitiveness of experimental research. Consisting of four teams, we are in charge of the construction, operation and improvement of the core research instruments at RIBF, such as BigRIPS in-flight separator, ZeroDegree spectrometer and SAMURAI spectrometer, and the related infrastructure and equipment. We are also in charge of the production and delivery of RI beams using the BigRIPS separator. The group also conducts related experimental research as well as R&D studies on the research instruments.

SAMURAI Team designs, develops and constructs the SAMURAI spectrometer and relevant equipment that are and will be used for reaction experiments using RI beams at RI Beam Factory.

For more information, please refer to the following webpage:

• SAMURAI Team
• Research Instruments Group

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher, one position

Job description

Responsible for maintenance and upgrading the (semi-) standard detector devices on the SAMURAI spectrometer, as well as contributing to the data analysis and physics interpretation of recent experiments conducted at the SAMURAI spectrometer using these standard devices. Note that the semi-standard detectors include those introduced into SAMURAI experiments through the worldwide SAMURAI collaboration, which have been standardized and commonly used in many experiments.

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

Qualification

The candidate should possess a doctoral degree in relevant fields, or is a prospective PhD candidate who is scheduled to obtain a doctoral degree before the first day of work.

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 of 2 years 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 70 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 is 327,200 JPY as of April 1, 2025. 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 367,925 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 entirely prohibited 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).

RIKEN has a work-from-home system, but this position requires attendance at the work location.

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

Application and required documents

Required documents

• 1.CV or CV (with photo and email address)
  • *Write the RIKEN job ad number “W24350”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
• 2.List of research achievement and publications (Please categorize: Papers on refereed journal, Papers on non-refereed journal, Conference presentation, Patents, Competitive funds, Others)
• 3.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)
• 4.Summary of major achievements to date and research proposal in future (two pages A4 sized paper, respectively)
  • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• 5.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 link:

Application documents: SAMURAI Team, Research Instruments Group RNC

• *The file name of the ZIP should contain your name.
• *After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (otsu@ribf.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name "SAMURAI Team, Research Instruments Group, [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)".

Application documents: SAMURAI Team, Research Instruments Group RNC

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

Selection process

Only candidates who pass the initial document screening will be invited for have an interview.

Start of Employment

As early as possible

Contact Information

Research Instruments Group
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
Director: Nobuhisa Fukunishi
Email: fukunisi @ribf.riken.jp

SAMURAI Team, Research Instruments Group
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
Team Leader: Hideaki Otsu
Email: otsu@ribf.riken.jp

For inquiries, please send an email.