Careers
Jul. 8, 2024
Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher（W24094)
Laboratory for distributed cognitive processing
Center for Brain Science
Laboratory
Laboratory for distributed cognitive processing, Center for Brain Science, (Laboratory Head: Lukas Ian Schmitt)
Research Area
Engineering, Biology, Medical Science, Interdisciplinary
Keyword
Perception, Internal model, Short-term memory, Rodent cognitive task, Electrophysiology, Imaging, BMI
Research field
The lab is focusing on investigating how an internal model of the world is maintained and updated within neural circuits. Although we generally perceive the world as stable, information reaching the brain from the senses is often disconnected and ambiguous. This suggests that perception involves some form of predictive model that incorporates recent information to more effectively interpret and respond to current inputs. This kind of implicit internal model is thought to involve short-term maintenance of information enabled by interactions between multiple cortical and thalamic circuits.
My team will seek to better understand these critical interactions by focusing on three major avenues of research. First, we will investigate the circuit basis of short-term information storages across multiple cortical regions and the roles such storage plays in cognitive function. Second, we will determine how the perturbation of thalamic functions may contribute to disruption of short-term storage and to assess how this might contribute to cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Third, by identifying principles of thalamocortical interaction involved in cognitive function we will seek to identify novel computational architectures useful in improving the design of artificial intelligence networks.
To address these questions, my team will take a multi-disciplinary approach combining optogenetic methods to causally manipulate neural circuits and electrophysiological recording techniques to assess neural activity with behavioral tasks designed to engage cognitive functions. This combined approach allows us to identify the activity in multiple brain regions that underlies behavior and to mechanistically dissect network interactions that produce this activity, providing substantial insight into how cognition works.
Job title and description
Job title, available positions
Postdoctoral Researcher 1 or 2 position(s)
Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.
Job description
The successful candidate will take the lead in assessing neural circuit functions via high density neural recordings of spiking neurons along with optogenetic interventions in the thalamus and cortex of mice performing behavioral tasks. This work will complement projects being conducted by other members of the lab with a background in applying modeling based approaches to understand neural dynamics.
Experiments will involve training mice on parametrically well controlled behavior and implanting multi-electrode recording systems designed to assess the neural implementation of cognitive processes such as attentional control and working memory in the context of hierarchical decision making. Candidates with experience in such paradigms and/or in completing survival surgeries in rodents will therefore be given preference. In addition to performing ongoing experiments, the applicant will be expected to design new paradigms based on observations and predictions derived from their findings and from complimentary theoretical work.
Qualifications
We seek a highly motivated researcher with an interest in studying cognitive function using rodent models and strong background in either approaches using behavioral/optogenetic/chemogenetic methods and/or slice/in vivo electrophysiological recording techniques. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Computational neuroscience). Some proficiency in programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python) is also necessary. Applicants must be comfortable working in an international setting where the primary language of communication is English.
We are hiring 1 or 2 full-time worker position to engage in research activities in the lab. Expertise in rodent experimental approaches including experience with stereotaxic surgery, brain tissue cutting, and/or immunohistochemistry is strongly preferred.
Work location
RIKEN, Center for Brain Science (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
- A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of December 31, 2028.
- 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 308,200 JPY 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 monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 346,500 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 has been entirely prohibited on site since 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).
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
- Complete CV (with photo and email address)
WORD(56KB) or EXCEL(159KB)
Write the RIKEN job ad number “W24094”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV. - List of research achievement and publications
- External funding awarded
- Summary of research experience to date
- Reason for applying for the post
- 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) 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_enYou 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 link:
https://riken-share.ent.box.com/f/24b939b97a8f417aae01961145dc3a09
For Postdoctoral Researcher position, Distributed Cognitive Processing Team, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN
The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (lukas.schmitt [at] riken.jp) know the name of the uploaded file.
Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the same submission website with the file name "Center of Brain Science Postdoctoral Researcher [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/24b939b97a8f417aae01961145dc3a09
For Postdoctoral Researcher position, Distributed Cognitive Processing Team, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN
After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (lukas.schmitt [at] riken.jp) know the name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: lukas.schmitt [at] 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
April 1, 2025 (Negotiable)
Contact information
RIKEN Center for Brain Science
Laboratory/Research Unit for Distributed Cognitive Processing
Email: lukas.schmitt [at] riken.jp (Replace [at] with @ )
For inquiries, please send an email either in English or in Japanese.