Laboratory

Topological Phenomena Theory Research Team
RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
(Laboratory Head: Shuichi Murakami)

Outline of Laboratory

Our research team focuses on theoretical studies of emergent physical phenomena based on topological structures in condensed matter systems, including electrons and quasiparticles, as well as wave phenomena in metamaterials. Using primarily analytical approaches based on model systems, we investigate a wide range of physical systems—from quantum to classical—aiming to identify universal laws and phenomena underlying their physical properties.
Our research covers topics ranging from material-oriented studies to the development of theoretical frameworks in condensed matter physics and mathematical physics. In particular, we work on fundamental theory and the exploration of novel physical properties related to topological phases, chiral phonons, electromagnetic multipoles, non-Hermitian systems, and topology and geometric phases of classical waves in metamaterials.

Job Title and Job Description

Job Title

Postdoctoral Researcher: a few positions
In principle, a Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of less than 5 years.

Job Description

Analytical and numerical theoretical studies of condensed matter physics, with an emphasis on topological phases, spintronics, and quantum geometry–related physical properties in electronic and metamaterial systems.

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

Qualification

Applicants must hold, or be expected to obtain by the start date, a Ph.D. in theoretical condensed matter physics.

Work Location

Topological Phenomena Theory Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (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 of employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to a maximum of 5 years of employment.
• 2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, workload 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 applied. 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 368,090 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 (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.
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

• 1. Complete CV or CV (with email address)
  • * (RIKEN CV) Write the open call ID “25-2768”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the open call ID section, located in the upper right corner of your CV.
  • * (Original CV) In the notes section of your CV, write the open call ID “25-2768”
• 2.List of research achievement and publications
  (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
• 3.A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor
  • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
  • *The letter should be addressed to “Dr. Takahisa Arima, Center Director of CEMS”
    (If a letter from the current supervisor is unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
• 4.A set of copies of up to 5 major papers
• 5.Summary of major achievements to date and research proposal in future (about 5 pages of A4 sized paper in total.)
• 6.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR/UK GDPR
  If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, you are required to sign and submit the document, “Consent form for handling personal information based on Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) and the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation.”
  • *For residents of the EEA, you will find detailed information about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
    Data protection | European Commission
  • *For residents of the UK, you will find detailed information about Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation) on the following website:
    The UK GDPR | Information Commissioner’s Office

How to apply

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

For Postdoctoral Researcher position, Topological Phenomena Theory Research Team

• The uploaded Zip file name should be “Topological Phenomena Theory Research Team, Postdoctoral Researcher [Applicant’s Name]”.
• After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (miho.okada@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

A letter of recommendation must be directly emailed from the referees to miho.okada@riken.jp.

• The file name should be “Topological Phenomena Theory Research Team, Postdoctoral Researcher [Applicant’s Name] Recommendation Letter)”.
• Please specify the applicant’s name, referee’s name, and contact information in the letter of recommendation.

Note: Application documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Open until the positions are 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 a Fixed-term Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

Start of Employment

As early as possible

Contact Information

Topological Phenomena Theory Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Email: miho.okada@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.