Laboratory

Nano-Photochemistry Research Unit
RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics
(Unit Leader: Tomoko Inose)

Outline of Laboratory

We aim to develop novel nano-optical technologies that enable precise manipulation of cellular functions in single living cells through intracellular molecular detection, extraction, and targeted delivery. By integrating photoresponsive nanomaterials with functional photoactive molecules, we seek to achieve highly precise spatiotemporal control of localized photochemical reactions within individual live cells.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher 1 position

Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree for less than 5 years.
Research Scientist is defined as those with a doctoral degree for more than 5 years.

Job description

Integrating photoresponsive nanomaterials with functional photoactive molecules to induce photochemical reactions within a single live cell for the manipulation of cellular functions.

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

Qualification

• PhD in a field relevant to the research described above, or expected to obtain a PhD by the start date of the appointment.
• Strong background and experience in photochemistry and/or nanomaterials science.
• Basic knowledge of cell biology; basic experimental experience with cells and/or proteins is highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with researchers within and outside the research unit.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, Nano-Photochemistry Research Unit

• HIKARI-COOL Kyoto : HIKARI Cooperative Laboratory Kyoto
  (Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study, iCeMS Research Building, Yoshida Campus, Kyoto University),
  Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto JAPAN

• From January 2029, the workplace is scheduled to relocate to the following address:
  RIKEN Wako Campus
  2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama Japan

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 December 31, 2032 for research scientist, and 5 years for postdoctoral researcher of employment.
• 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.
• 3.When the center to which the Employee is affiliated is scheduled for a final review in FY 2031 and it is decided that the Employee's research will not be continued, the provision given above for projects of limited duration applies and the Employee's contract will not be renewed for the FY 2032 year that would extend employment beyond the center's final fiscal year.
• 4.For Research Scientist, the Employee's research is scheduled to be reviewed in the Employee's 5 years from the original date of hire at RAP and when it is concluded that there is reason* to believe it will be difficult for the research (or technology development) to be continued, the employment contract will not be renewed for the next year. (*The reason may relate to the Employee's abilities, performance and/or work attitude.)

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. 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 448,990 JPY or more For Research Scientist, 382,610 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the telecommuting system is not available for this position, in principle.

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

• 1.Complete CV or CV
  • *(RIKEN CV) Write the RIKEN job ad number “25-2774”, 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.List of research achievement and publications
  (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
• 3.Overview of Previous Research Achievements and Future Research Plans (up to two A4 pages)
• 4.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)
• 5.5 set of copies of your major papers
• 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 the letters of recommendation combined into a single ZIP file or PDF file should be uploaded to the following link:

  For a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher position, Nano-Photochemistry Research Unit, RIKEN RAP

  The file name of the ZIP or PDF should contain your name.
  When you upload the file, your contact email address is required.
  After you uploaded the file, please let us (Contact information address below) know the file name of the uploaded file.

  The letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the subject line "Nano-Photochemistry Research Unit, position name [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

  For a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher position (A letter of recommendation), Nano-Photochemistry Research Unit, RIKEN RAP

  When the referees upload the file, the contact email address is required.
  After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (Contact information address below) know the file name of the uploaded file.
  If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact us (Contact information address below)

  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

  As early as possible

  Contact Information

  Nano-Photochemistry Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics
  Email: tomoko.inose@riken.jp
  For inquiries, please send an email.