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  5. Call for applications for the position of Junior Research Associate (JRA) for FY2027

JRA Application Procedures

Categories

Applications may be submitted in the following three categories. These categories are only to define application criteria. There is no quota set on the number of applicants that may apply to each category.

  • Joint graduate school category
  • Joint research category
  • Research collaboration category

See Application guidelines for Research Supervisor
NOTE: Application can be made before the required joint research contract or research collaborative agreement has been concluded.

Application Procedures

Select a RIKEN laboratory where you would like to work from among the list of laboratories and contact the laboratory to confirm that it is ready to host from FY2027. Please find out which laboratories have openings, check the name of the laboratory and/or the laboratory head, and contact the addresses shown on their web pages. After you find a laboratory that is willing to be your host, you should explain the research topic you propose to carry out at RIKEN. Discuss the topic thoroughly with the laboratory head to make sure that your final research topic proposal takes into account the work being conducted within the host laboratory.

Required Documents

Application documents may be in Japanese or English.

  • 1.Opinions and training process plan of RIKEN research supervisor: 1 [Form 1]
    • Form 1 must be filled out by the research supervisor and uploaded by the PI.
      [Form 1 / Form 1]
    • Comment on candidate's research capabilities and if his/her research plan is feasible in the opinions space.
    • Describe the training and development plan in the training process plan space.
    • When two or more candidates are under the same PI, describe the training and development plan for all candidates involved in the training process plan space.
    • When two or more candidates are under the same PI, please write the order of priority for the candidate.
    • Regarding mentors: Please obtain the mentor’s consent before filling out the form. To allow students to receive advice from a variety of perspectives, please ask a RIKEN PI (other than the PI of the host laboratory) to be the mentor.
  • 2.Candidate’s reason for applying and outline of current research: 1 [Form 2]
    • Explain the reason for applying to the JRA program and present an outline of current research (content, significance, potential, etc.). Diagrams and charts may be included as necessary.
    • This form must be filled out and uploaded by the JRA candidate. All information must be contained within one page.
  • 3.Candidate’s research record, published papers, etc.: 1 [Form 3]
    • For papers published in academic journals give the following information: Authors, affiliations, journal name, publication date, volume number, and page numbers. Papers that have been submitted but not yet published should be marked “In printing”.
    • For oral presentations at academic symposiums and the like: Names of collaborating researchers, affiliations, presentation title, symposium/event name, location, and dates. Mark scheduled presentations, “Scheduled”.
    • For poster presentations at academic conferences, etc., list the name of the co-researcher, affiliation, title, the name of the conference where the presentation was made, place, and date. If the poster presentation is planned/scheduled make a note stating that the "presentation is planned".
    • List other writings, patents, awards and the like.
    • If there is not enough space on the form, you may give additional information on an attached A4-size sheet of paper.
    • If the candidate has no research record, mark the form, “None”.
    • If the candidate has a medical or dental license, include information on clinical experience and case reports.
    • This form must be uploaded by the JRA candidate.
  • 4.Outline of candidate’s research plan: 1 [Form 4]
    • Present an outline of the research the JRA candidate intends to conduct at RIKEN. If this research is different from the research the candidate is conducting at the time of application, explain briefly why this is so.
    • This form must be filled out and uploaded by the JRA candidate. All information must be contained within two pages.
    • Candidates requesting a 3 or 4-day workweek must specify the desired number of working days, provide a clear rationale, and present a suitable research plan aligned with this schedule.
      [Forms 2-4 / Forms 2-4]
  • 5.Letter of recommendation from candidate’s research instructor
    In principle, must be written and uploaded by the supervising instructor at the candidate’s graduate school. If the candidate is currently involved in research at another institution, the letter of recommendation may be written by the supervisor at that institution. If the candidate has a medical or dental license, the letter of recommendation may be written by the candidate’s medical or dental school instructor or clinical training physician.
    There is no set format for the letter, but it must meet the following conditions: It must be uploaded as PDF file and must be addressed to the President of RIKEN. You may scan the signature or upload a graphic version of the signature.
    (IMPORTANT: The email requesting the letter of recommendation will go out at the same time as you register. Your application cannot be accepted if the letter of recommendation does not arrive by the deadline. Contact your instructor early and register as early as possible. It will help to register your basic information early, as you will be able to revise it later and also upload any other revised documents by the deadline. You can check on the status of your letter of recommendation through the online application system.)
  • 6.Candidate’s academic records (1 copy of the undergraduate transcript; If possible, 1 copy of the Master's Degree transcript)
    Submit the undergraduate course transcript issued by the university. *If possible, submit the Master's Degree transcript issued by the graduate school.
    These must be uploaded by the JRA candidate.
  • 7.If applicable, candidate’s representative papers (no more than 3 papers, excluding master’s thesis); 1 A4-size copy of each paper
    Only papers in which the candidate has played a major role should be submitted. Submission is not required if the candidate does not have any such papers, but a note should be made of this on the Candidate research record (3).They must be uploaded by the JRA candidate.
  • 8.Agreement on handling of personal information
    (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy)
    Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
    *Hiring Privacy Policy
    *Privacy Policy

Please make sure to download the most recent documents above. Please fill them out, and upload to submit. Forms may be handwritten or typed.

Who should prepare what?

  • The RIKEN research supervisor must prepare and upload, via the PI, Form 1.
  • The JRA candidate must prepare and upload Forms 2 through 4, transcript of grades, no more than 3 representative papers and agreement.
  • The candidate’s research instructor must prepare and upload a recommendation letter.

Application Flowchart

Flowchart showing how to apply

Application period

Flowchart (1): From Wednesday, September 16 to 13:00, Friday, October 16.
Flowchart (2)-(3): From Wednesday, September 16 to 13:00, Friday, October 23.
Flowchart (4)-(5): From Wednesday, October 28 to 13:00, Friday, November 6.

How to submit

The PI must submit through the RIKEN JRA Recruitment and Selection online system.

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