1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Job Openings

Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (25-3338)

Laboratory

Cognitive Somnology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team
RIKEN Center for Brain Science
(RIKEN Hakubi Team Leader: Masako Tamaki)

Outline of Laboratory

Why do we think and behave the way we do? Accumulating evidence suggests that the sleeping brain plays a fundamental role in shaping cognition and behavior. In the Cognitive Somnology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, we integrate advanced neuroimaging (3T and 7T MRI), electrophysiological (EEG), and psychophysical approaches to uncover the mechanisms through which sleep sculpts the human mind.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, 2 positions

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

Job description

The successful candidate is expected to conduct research and other related activities on human sleep, perception and cognition, using neuroimaging techniques such as simultaneous fMRI, fMRS and EEG. The candidate is also expected to develop cutting-edge methods for 3 Tesla and 7 Tesla MRI.

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

Qualification

  • -should have a Ph.D. degree or are expected to obtain a Ph.D. degree by the date of employment in neuroscience, physics, computer science, engineering, psychology or related areas.
  • -should be communicative, willing to interact collaboratively and to share knowledge and skills with colleagues.
  • -is proficient in MRI analysis and has publications related to MRI.
  • -is proficient in programming languages (e.g. Matlab, R, Python).
  • -is flexible and willing to obtain new expertise and experiences.
  • -is meticulous, rigorous, self-motivated, and able to troubleshoot.
  • -has good verbal and written English communication skills.

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

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 PDF file and uploaded to the following link:

For Researcher position, Cognitive Somnology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, RIKEN CBS

The file name should contain your contact email address.
After you upload the file, please let us (masako.tamaki@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 "Cognitive Somnology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, RIKEN CBS research scientist [applicant’s name] (Letter of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, and referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.

For Researcher position, Cognitive Somnology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, RIKEN CBS

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

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

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 interviews for selected candidates. Only applicants who pass the initial screening will be contacted.

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

RIKEN Center for Brain Science
Cognitive Somnology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team
Email: masako.tamaki@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

Top