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Seeking Postdoctoral Researchers (25-2558)

Laboratory

Inter-Individual Brain Dynamics Collaboration Unit
RIKEN CBS-Toyota Collaboration Center
RIKEN Center for Brain Science
(Unit Leader：Takahiko Koike)

Outline of Laboratory

Humans are inherently social beings. We predict how others will respond to our own actions and coordinate our own and others’ behavior based on these predictions in order to live in harmony with those around us. Interactions with others contribute to an individual's well-being. It is also true that individual well-being fosters a healthier society. Thus, individual and societal well-being are thought to be closely interconnected. Our laboratory aims to understand the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying such well-being by examining behavior and brain activity during states of individual and social well-being, using methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and psychological experiments.

Job title and Job description

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher: 2 positions

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

Job description

For one of the two researchers: Reveal neural basis of choking under pressure, that limit our performance and could reduce our subjective well-beings. In addition, the researcher should link evidence related to choking under pressure with neural basis of team-performance that could be explored by hyperscanning fMRI.

For the other researcher: Develop new method for analyzing functional brain network, based on synergistic analysis. Using the analysis, the researcher would analyze not only intra-brain functionally connected network, but also inter-individual behavioral and neural alignment.

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

Qualification

The candidate should possess a doctoral degree in a related field and research experience using neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG), and using a computer simulation focusing on mutual interaction across multiple agents.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
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 of 2027 (March 31, 2028)
  • 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 are 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.
Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of salary at the time of employment:
The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 367,925 JPY or more.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.

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 (caring for a sick child, 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.
Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

*Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

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.

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to kids@riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

How to apply

The above documents, except the letters of recommendation, should be combined into a single ZIP file and uploaded to the following link:

For Researcher position, Inter-Individual Brain Dynamics Collaboration Unit, BTCC, RIKEN CBS

The uploaded file name should contain your name.
After you upload the ZIP file, please let us (takahiko.koike@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name "Koike Lab, position name [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, and referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.

For Researcher position, Inter-Individual Brain Dynamics Collaboration Unit, BTCC, RIKEN CBS

After the referees upload the letter of recommendation, please let us (takahiko.koike@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: takahiko.koike@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

Notification of hiring decision

The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

Start of Employment

April 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Brain Science
RIKEN CBS-TOYOTA Collaboration Center
Email: takahiko.koike@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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