Careers

May. 8, 2024

Call for the position of RIKEN CBS Coordinator
Center for Brain Science (W24035)

Laboratory

Center for Brain Science (CBS)

Research Area

Other

Keywords

Brain Science,Neuroscience

Research Field

The RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) is Japan’s premier neuroscience research center. Taking advantage of the multidisciplinarity of the fields of medicine, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematical sciences, and psychology, our aim is to advance basic research and develop innovative technologies for elucidating the functions of the brain and the mind at multiple levels from genes, molecules, cells, and whole organisms to societal systems. For details, please refer to the RIKEN CBS website: https://cbs.riken.jp/en/

Job title and job description

Job title, available positions

Coordinator (Management position): 1 position

Job description

Since March 2024, CBS has been selected as the core organization for the "Brain/MINDS 2.0 Program", a leading research project in the field of brain science in Japan (https://www.amed.go.jp/koubo/15/01/1501C_00095.html). The Office of the Center Director of CBS will organize the Management Team to effectively promote this large-scale research project, strengthening the collaboration among research teams and the management function of the program. The coordinator will be responsible for managing a wide range of research support activities of the Management Team as follows:

  1. Enhance interdisciplinary collaboration (dry-wet, basic-clinical) within and outside of the core organization and overall coordination of the research outputs of the program.
  2. Coordinate collaborative research and research support using the infrastructure and unique technologies developed by the core organization.
  3. Disseminate research results in Japan and internationally, organize open symposiums, and promote international human resource development.
  4. Bridge the needs of industry and academic research, establish a consortium, and support for practical application of research results in collaboration with the Application Support Team and RIKEN’s related program.
  5. Promote international cooperation and strengthen partnership through the International Brain Initiative (IBI), etc.
  6. Establish a support team to develop policies and provide advice on ethical issues related to the collection and sharing of human data and the management and publication of databases.

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

Qualification

  • A PhD degree, and outstanding research in the field of neuroscience.
  • Excellent leadership in a research organization. Experience in laboratory/project management is desirable.
  • Excellent communication skills with the national/international research community and industry.
  • Understanding of the research of the "Brain/MINDS 2.0 Program" and enthusiasm for supporting the program.
  • Communication skills in Japanese.

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 annual evaluation, to a maximum of the end of the program (March 31, 2030).
  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 720,000 JPY as of April 1st, 2024. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

Commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

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

Work hours: 9:00 to 17:20 (lunch break 12:00 to 12:50) in principle. However, employee may change starting and ending times at their own discretion if it does not interfere with work performance.

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 Equity Program, 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).

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

Required documents

Documents should be written in Japanese except for the recommendation letter.

  1. Cover letter
  2. Complete CV WORD(56KB) or EXCEL(159KB)
    (RIKEN CV format) *Please write the RIKEN job ad number “W24035”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
    (Original CV format) *Please write down in the notes section of your CV the number written next to the title of the job position (e.g. W24035).
  3. List of research achievement and publications (separated by categories: research papers, review papers, patents, etc.)
  4. Research background and achievements
  5. Future plan and proposals
    - Work plan as a coordinator of the Management Team of the “Brain/MINDS 2.0 Program”.
    - Possible contribution to the promotion of the “Brain/MINDS 2.0 Program”.
  6. Two recommendation letters (including one from the current supervisor, if available)
    * Please include the referees’ contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address) in your application.
    * Recommendation letters should be submitted directly from the referees. Please refer to the [How to apply] section below.
    * If current supervisor’s recommendation is not available, a letter from a third party will be accepted.
  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, should be combined into a single PDF file named as “CBS Coordinator Application (applicant’s name)”, and uploaded to the following URL:
https://riken-share.ent.box.com/f/a951818cd71f47ae8ba0fd25a3688e54
After submission, please let us know (cbs-search[at]ml.riken.jp) the name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters in PDF format must be submitted directly from the referees to the following URL with the file name "CBS Coordinator [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)":
https://riken-share.ent.box.com/f/8e8c7fb91b424aa386d67a9aff62ec95
Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter, which should be addressed to “Dr. Makoto Gonokami, the President of RIKEN”.
After the referees have uploaded the recommendation letter, please inform (cbs-search[at]ml.riken.jp) of the name of the uploaded file.
If you do not receive a confirmation email within 7 days after submission, please contact: cbs-search[at]ml.riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Application and recommendation letters must arrive by 5 pm on July 10, 2024 (Japan time).

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

After screening of documents, candidates will be selected through interview and oral presentation based on the document (5) “Future plan and proposals”

Start of Employment

As early as possible after the selection process (negotiable)

Contact Information

CBS Search Committee Administration Office, RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS)
Email: cbs-search[at]ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.