Careers

Jan. 17, 2025

Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher
Hierarchical Neural Computation RIKEN ECL Research Unit (W24310)

Laboratory

Hierarchical Neural Computation RIKEN ECL Research Unit, Center for Brain Science (Unit Leader: Toshitake Asabuki)

Research Field

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

Keyword

computational neuroscience, theoretical neuroscience, brain science, mathematical models, neural networks, learning, synaptic plasticity

Outline of Laboratory

The brain can flexibly learn from new experiences by integrating them with prior knowledge. This requires hierarchically organizing information to form rich representations of the external world. Our lab investigates the neural circuit mechanisms behind this by building mathematical models of synaptic plasticity that enables multiple interconnected neural circuits to collaboratively learn. We aim to deeply understand the computational principles of the brain's remarkable learning abilities by using computational models to replicate diverse experimental findings.

Job Title and Job Description

Job Title, Available Positions

Postdoctoral Researcher: 1position
Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.

Job Description

Engaging in computational neuroscience research.

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

Qualification

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 background and interest in neuroscience.

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

  1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of May 31, 2029.
  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 327,200 JPY as of April 1st 2025. 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 371,500 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 is entirely prohibited on site.
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@riken.jp.

Application and Required Documents

  1. Complete CV (with photo and email address)
    Please indicate either 1 or 2.
    1. RIKEN CV: WORD(56KB) or EXCEL(56KB)
      *Write the RIKEN job ad number “W24310”, 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. Original CV: Write down in the notes section of your CV the number written next to the title of the job position (e.g. W24310).
  2. List of research achievement and publications
  3. External funding awarded
  4. Summary of research experience to date
  5. Reason for applying for the post
  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:
Postdoctoral Researcher position, Hierarchical Neural Computation RIKEN ECL Research Unit, Center for Brain Science,RIKEN

After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (toshitake.asabuki@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 "XXXX [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.
Postdoctoral Researcher position, Hierarchical Neural Computation RIKEN ECL Research Unit, Center for Brain Science,RIKEN

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (toshitake.asabuki@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: toshitake.asabuki@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 at RIKEN. 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

June 1st, 2025 or later (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Brain Science
Hierarchical Neural Computation RIKEN ECL Research Unit
Email: toshitake.asabuki@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.