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Seeking a few Postdoctoral Researchers (25-1245)

Laboratory

Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
(RIKEN ECL Team Leader: Tadashi Hashimoto)

Outline of Laboratory

We are conducting experiments aimed at generating a novel form of nuclei or matter where a meson is bound as a real particle. Specifically, our focus lies in embedding an anti-kaon, which contains a strange quark, into nuclei. So far, we have succeeded in observing the simplest kaonic nucleus composed of an anti-kaon and two nucleons. We are now constructing a new solenoid spectrometer to extend the systematic study of kaonic nuclei and eventually reveal various mysteries of the low-energy QCD.
Furthermore, we are engaged in interdisciplinary research, such as muonic atom experiments, utilizing state-of-the-art superconducting X-ray detectors known as TES detectors.

For more information, please refer to the following link:
Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team | RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher, a few positions

Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those who obtained a doctoral degree no more than 5 years ago.

Job description

Conduct experimental research in nuclear and particle physics, with a primary focus on anti-kaon-nucleon interaction studies using a large-scale versatile spectrometer at the K1.8BR beamline in the J-PARC Hadron Hall.

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 physics or relevant fields, or be a prospective PhD
candidate who is scheduled to obtain a doctoral degree before the first day of work. The candidate should also be available to take up the position within fiscal year 2026 (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027).

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
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 either 5 years from the initial hiring date or March 31, 2031, whichever comes first.
  • 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.There will be an interim review around the third year.

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 367,925 JPY or more.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the telecommuting system is not available for this position, in principle.

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 (caring for a sick child, 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.
Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

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

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 kids@riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1.Complete CV or CV (with email address)
    • *Write the RIKEN job ad number “25-1245”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
  • 2.2. List of research achievements and publications
    (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
  • 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 the future (two pages A4 sized paper, respectively)
  • 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.

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: Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team

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

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the recommenders to the following link with the file name " Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team, [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)"

Application documents: Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Application must arrive by October 31,2025

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 to have an interview

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

As early as possible

Contact Information

Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
RIKEN ECL Team Leader：Tadashi Hashimoto
Email: tadashi.hashimoto@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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