Seeking Postdoctoral Researchers (25-3727)

Laboratory

Emergent Soft System Research Team
RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
(Team Director: Takao Someya)

Outline of Laboratory

Our laboratory aims to utilize the inherent “softness” of materials to create a future of flexible electronics that harmonize with both people and the planet. We engage in interdisciplinary research, ranging from fundamental materials science to groundbreaking applications.

Job Title and Job Description

Job Title

Postdoctoral Researcher: 2 Positions
Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of less than 5 years.

Job Description

Researches on printed and flexible organic solar cells and photodetectors. In particular, the development of fully-printed ultraflexible organic solar cells.

The successful candidate will work on one of the following research themes:

1.Exploration of Novel Flexible Materials and Properties
Development of new materials with unprecedented electronic and optical properties, such as organic semiconductors, carbon-based nanomaterials, functional polymer gels, and two-dimensional materials, and investigation of their device physics.
2.Development and Application of Advanced Soft Devices
Creation of stretchable and biocompatible electronic/optical devices, with applications in next-generation wearable devices, humanoid robots, and soft robotics.
3.Pioneering Bio-Integrated Electronics
Advancement of technologies that seamlessly integrate electronics with biological systems, including the development of electronic skin and other innovations that can transform the medical and healthcare fields.

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

Qualification

Applicants should hold, or be eligible to receive by their start date, a doctoral degree in the relevant research field. Applicants are expected to possess the passion and capability to proactively engage in one of the above research themes.

Work location

Emergent Soft System 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 382,610 JPY or more.

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 (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).

*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)
- *Write the open call ID “25-3727”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the open call ID section, located in the upper right corner of your CV.
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.Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the UK General Data Protection Regulation)
Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:

How to apply

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

For Postdoctoral Researcher Position, Emergent Soft System Research Team, Center for Emergent Matter Science

The uploaded file name should contain your name.
After you have uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (takao.someya@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

A recommendation letter must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the subject line “Center for Emergent Matter Science, Position Name [Applicant’s Name] (Recommendation Letter)”.
Please specify the applicant’s name, referee’s name, and contact information in the recommendation letter.

For Postdoctoral Researcher Position, Emergent Soft System Research Team, Center for Emergent Matter Science

*If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: takao.someya@riken.jp.

Note: Application 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, interview, and oral presentation by 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

Emergent Soft System Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Email: takao.someya@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.