Careers

Apr. 19, 2024

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher Position
Laboratory for Neural Computation and Adaptation（W24015)

Laboratory

Laboratory for Neural Computation and Adaptation, Center for Brain Science (Team Leader: Taro Toyoizumi)

Research Area

Physics, Engineering, Mathematical and Information Science, Computational Science, Interdisciplinary

Keyword

computational neuroscience,theoretical neuroscience,brain science,information processing,mathematical models,neural networks,learning theory

Research Field

Our research is within the field of Computational Neuroscience. We utilize computer models to explore how information is processed in the brain and how the brain circuits adapt to the environment. Drawing on analytical techniques from statistical physics and information theory, we probe the key functional properties of neural circuits. We apply these techniques to distill diverse experimental findings into a few core concepts. We hold a particular interest in activity-dependent forms of plasticity in the brain, which exert significant influences on learning, memory, and development. Leveraging mathematical models, we aim to formulate a theory that bridges cellular-level plasticity rules and computation. The capacity of neurons to represent and retain information is gauged from the structure and behavior of resulting circuits.
For more detailed information, please see https://toyoizumilab.riken.jp/

Job Title and Job Description

Job Title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher 1 position
Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.
Research Scientist/Contract Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.

Job Description

Engaging in computational neuroscience research.（Please refer to【Research Field】）
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a PhD or are expected to obtain a PhD by the date of employment in physics, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or a related area. We seek highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a strong analytical background and interest in neuroscience. Candidates who want to bridge theory and experiment are also encouraged to apply.

Work Location

Branch and address
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 the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment. (Maximum employment duration for a Postdoctoral Researcher is 5 years)
  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 will be 308,200 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 364,600 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 380,000 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 410,000 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

  1. Complete CV
    WORD(56KB) or EXCEL(159KB)
    *Write the RIKEN job ad number “W24015”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
    *Write down in the notes section of your CV the number written next to the title of the job position (e.g. W24015).
  2. List of research achievement
  3. Awards and External Funding, etc.
  4. Summary of research experience to date
  5. Reason for applying for the post (personal strengths, motivation, future research plans, career aspirations, etc.)
  6. One or two letter(s) of recommendation; one by current supervisor (If a letter by current supervisor is not possible, a letter by a third party)
    *Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
  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: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection_en

    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:
    https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-and-the-eu/

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following website:
https://riken-share.ent.box.com/f/3b0397d662a34f57871bf00318757e21
The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (toyoizumilab[at]ml.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 file name" Lab for NCA, CBS, research scientist [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.
https://riken-share.ent.box.com/f/3b0397d662a34f57871bf00318757e21
After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (toyoizumilab[at]ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: toyoizumilab[at]ml.riken.jp.

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. 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

September 1st, 2024 or later (negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Brain Science
Laboratory for Neural Computation and Adaptation
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198
Email: toyoizumilab[at]ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.