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Seeking a few Research Scientists, Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Associates (25-1312)

Laboratory

Data Assimilation Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Team Principal: Takemasa Miyoshi)

Outline of Laboratory

The RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), led by Center Director Satoshi Matsuoka, is an international hub for computational science that promotes “science of computing, by computing, and for computing.” R-CSS positions the technology in which RIKEN has strengths (R-CCS technology) and the software developed by RIKEN that contributes to science, technology, industry, and society (R-CCS software) as its “core competence in computational science driving science as a whole.” R-CCS aims to develop these technologies, disseminate them domestically and internationally, and produce results. In addition, R-CCS utilizes its expertise to operate the supercomputer “Fugaku”, developed as Japan’s national project, in accordance with relevant ordinances.

Data Assimilation Research Team conducts research and development in the field of data assimilation. For example, weather prediction is a great achievement of human intelligence by integrating advanced sensing, supercomputing, and information and communications technologies. Here, data assimilation plays a pivotal role. Connecting the most advanced radar sensing technology and supercomputers "K" and "Fugaku", data assimilation made it possible to predict sudden downpours. Data assimilation brings links to the future and expands synergistic opportunities.

Job title and job descriptions

Job title

Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Associate: A few positions

Position-specific tasks are as follows:

Research Scientist
Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship of supervisors.
Research Associate
Carries out research and other work under the guidance of higher-level personnel.

Job description

The researcher will primarily be engaged in a project “De-risking Cirrus Modification” (PI: Dr. Sebastian Eastham, Imperial College London, Co-PI: Miyoshi) under the program “Exploring Climate Cooling” of UK ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency), focusing on numerical weather prediction and data assimilation research to forecast atmospheric conditions favorable for cirrus cloud formation through cloud seeding. The work will be conducted in mutual collaboration with various data assimilation studies in Data Assimilation Research Team.

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

Qualification

Common to all positions
A person who is able to dedicate themselves to the job by communicating, coordinating and collaborating smoothly with people in and out of the laboratory.
Research Scientist
A doctoral degree in a field related to the “Job Description”.
Postdoctoral Researcher
A doctoral degree in a field related to the “Job Description” (including those who expect to obtain a doctoral degree before starting the position) and within 5 years after obtaining the doctoral degree.
Research Associate
A master’s degree or equivalent in a field related to the“Job Description”.
In addition, candidates must demonstrate clear intention and strong motivation to pursue a doctoral degree in the future and advance to higher research positions.

Work location

RIKEN Kobe Campus – South (7-1-26, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, JAPAN)
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, but not beyond June 2, 2028.
  • 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.

RIKEN has indefinite-term positions. Any scientists, including fixed-term employees who have been hired through this open call, are eligible to apply to open calls for indefinite-term positions.

In principle, the first two months of employment are 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.
Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.
The approximate amount of salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 564,000 JPY for a Research Scientist, more than 367,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, and more than 301,000 JPY for a Research Associate.
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 6 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course as Research Scientist will be approximately 620,000 JPY and for a candidate with 1 year of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course as Postdoctoral Researcher will be approximately 400,000 JPY.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.

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 per year depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (caring for a sick child, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days per year 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.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

The Kobe Campus has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe.
For details, please send an email to the General Administrative Section at kobe-kosei@riken.jp.
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.

*Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

Application and required documents

Required documents

Please prepare the following documents in English. Only recommendation letters may be either in English or in Japanese.

  • 1.CV or CV
    No format specified. Please make sure to include applicant’s name, date of birth, nationality, academic background, work history including the applicant’s current affiliation, and email address.
    The attached format is available for your convenience.
  • 2.List of research achievements (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
    Include not only peer-reviewed papers but also a list of patents, a list of invited lectures. Also include quantitative measures for evaluation such as the Google Scholar citation index, whenever possible.
  • 3.Copies of up to five most important publications (Please mark the papers on the list of publications.)
    When the original publications are not in PDF format, scan the papers and save them as PDF documents prior to submission.
  • 4.List of competitive funds acquired, awards received, and other achievements including, contributions to university/institution operations, contribution to society through activities in academic societies, joint research projects, technology transfers, etc.
  • 5.Description of previous research, future research plans, and career goals: No format specified, approximately three to four A4 pages in total. It is desirable that a diagram describing the research is provided.
  • 6.Recommendation letters from one or two persons who can evaluate your work
    • *One recommendation letter should be written by the applicant’s current supervisor. When it is difficult to do so, a recommendation letter written by a third party may be accepted.
    • *Recommendation letters must be sent directly by the referees.
    • *The letters should be addressed to R-CCS Director. Digital signature image can be embedded in the recommendation letters within the PDF file. Or please specify the referee’s contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address) in the letter. Please make sure to write the date.
  • 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.

How to apply

Combine the above documents except the recommendation letters into a single PDF file and upload them to the following link:

Applications for R-CCS Data Assimilation Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “25-1312, R-CCS Data Assimilation Research Team” and the applicant’s name. Please write the job ad number and the name of the position that you apply for in the “Add additional information” box.
After you uploaded the PDF file, please let us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. When you send us an email, please write your name, Job Ad number and the name of the position that you apply for.
Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the link mentioned above with the subject line "Recommendation letter for [applicant’s name], [name of the position], R-CCS Data Assimilation Research Team”. Please tell them to email us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) that they have uploaded the PDF file and to specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the body of the email.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs@riken.jp.

Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the positions are 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

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and interviews will be conducted for selected applicants (2 interviews for Research Scientist position and one interview for Postdoctoral Researcher position and Research Associate position). No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Notification of hiring decision

The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

Start of Employment

At the earliest opportunity (subject to negotiation)

Contact Information

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Team Principal by email:
Takemasa Miyoshi
Data Assimilation Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: da-team-desk@ml.riken.jp

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