Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  WPI-IRCN is seeking post-doctoral research fellows (AI Incubator) who specialize in machine learning/artificial intelligence/statistics and/or computational/mathematical neuroscience and are extremely motivated and enthusiastic to generate neuro-inspired artificial intelligence (A.I.), working interdisciplinary with multiple PIs.

• Work content and job description

  IRCN has established an "AI Incubator (led by Prof. Kazuyuki Aihara)" within IRCN. The selected candidates will participate in one or more team science activities as a member of the "AI Incubator" to integrate breakthrough discoveries made through our Team Science approach into innovative neuro-inspired AI:
  
  (1) Neuromodulation/Reinforcement Learning (Haruo Kasai, Kazuyuki Aihara & Shin Ishii)
  (2) Critical Period Mechanisms (Takao Hensch, Kazuyuki Aihara, Yukiko Gotoh, Takamitsu Watanabe & Yasushi Okada)
  (3) Social Learning (Yukie Nagai, Kazuyuki Aihara, Takao Hensch, Shoji Takeuchi & Sho Tsuji)
  (4) Intrinsic Activity (Kenichi Ohki, Kazuyuki Aihara, Takamitsu Watanabe, Hideki Nakayama, Kiyoto Kasai, Zenas Chao, Takao Hensch & Gohei Tanaka)
  (5) Predictive Coding (Zenas Chao, Kenichi Ohki, Yukie Nagai, Kazuyuki Aihara, Kiyoto Kasai & Hirokazu Takahashi)
  
  Below is a list of potential projects.
  (a) Predictive coding in neuro-machine hybrid system
  [Primary Supervisors: Z. Chao (PI), Hirokazu Takahashi (IRCN Affiliated PI / Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, UTokyo) and others]
  - e.g. Work on the theme of predictive coding using computational modeling and neurobiology (rodents or neuronal cultures) to deepen the understanding of information processing and goal-directed learning.
  - e.g. Contribute to predictive coding team activity by collaborating with team members to integrate modeling and neurobiological findings.
  
  (b) Neuro-inspired AI using deep learning and brain analysis
  [Primary Supervisors: K. Ohki (PI), Hideki Nakayama (IRCN Affiliated PI / Graduate School of Information Science and Techonology, UTokyo) and others]
  - e.g. Work on the theme of neuro-inspired AI using deep learning / LLM to deepen the understanding of visual / multimodal processing in computer and brain.
  - e.g. Contribute to intrinsic activity team activity by developing neuro-inspired AI from the viewpoint of machine learning and brain functions.
  

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  The Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (ICReDD), Hokkaido University, as a global research center based on the “World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) , supported by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT),” constructs an international research environment which gathers world-leading researchers and establishes a research environment that integrates computational, information and experimental sciences, in order to establish a new academic field “Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery”, to provide substantial knowledge on chemical reactions that efficiently develop chemical reactions and materials for the future necessity, and to sustainably cultivate human resources engaged in the field of “Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery”.

• Work content and job description

  [Job Description]
  (Just after hiring) In the ICReDD Komatsuzaki group, the following research will be carried out mainly to promote integrated research in computational, information and experimental sciences.
  (1) Multiobjective optimization for designing the optimal experimental conditions
  (2) Machine learning studies on molecular classification based on molecular spectra
  (Scope of change) No change expected.

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  Our laboratory’s overarching research focuses on protein quality control pathways that help maintain cellular proteostasis (protein homeostasis) and promote cell repair after protein damage. My group pioneers in the emerging field of primate proteostasis, being the first to investigate how primate-specific adaptations in the proteostasis network influence cell repair and deepen our understanding of human diseases related to protein aggregation and aging. In close collaboration with world-renowned scientists at Bio2Q, we will lead research into intestinal microbiota-epithelial crosstalk through the lens of proteostasis (from both the host and microbial sides), aiming to uncover novel primate-specific mechanisms and pathways that protect our gut barrier integrity after proteotoxic damage caused by dysbiosis. Proteotoxic stress in the intestinal epithelial tissue, often triggered by metabolites released during microbial imbalances, can lead to massive oxidative damage to proteins, resulting in the formation of toxic aggregates. These toxic aggregates can disrupt cell function, often leading to cell death, which could further impair gut barrier function and exacerbates inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colitis, and metabolic disorders. Our work has the exciting potential to drive advancements in treating these gut-related diseases and improve gut health. One main area of research delves into exploring strategies to enhance protein disaggregation (aggregate solubilization) in our cells to counteract toxicities associated with protein aggregation. We have uncovered several novel primate-specific protein quality control pathways that boost the assemble of protein disaggregases (molecular machines that disassemble aggregated proteins).

• Work content and job description

  We are currently using multidisciplinary approaches (some through collaborations) including cell biology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, biochemistry and structural biology, machine learning with a strong focus on characterizing novel mouse models with enhanced protein disaggregation function to investigate the impact of these primate-specific adaptations in proteostasis in disease (including dysbiosis related disorders and neurodegeneration) and aging. Therefore, we are seeking a talented, dedicated, and energetic Postdoctoral Fellow with extensive experience in mouse and cell biology, molecular biology, cell/tissue imaging techniques to lead new research initiative(s) that study the role of the primate-specific adaptations in protein disaggregation and their impact on aggregate solubilization/cell repair along the gut-brain axis. The applications of this work center on combating dysbiosis and neurodegeneration. This exciting and high-impact research direction presents unique opportunities for rapid, groundbreaking discoveries that could significantly enhance healthy aging. While prior experience in proteostasis, gut microbiome, neuroscience, stem cell biology or related fields is advantageous, it is not required.
  
  The candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and collaborate effectively with team members to achieve experimental goals. Our team closely collaborates with world-renowned experts in the gut microbiome, stem cells and organoid biology and neuroscience at Bio2Q to achieve the above-mentioned research goals. These collaborations offer the candidate access to cutting-edge techniques and skills for use in his/her research. Importantly, a key focus will be on developing the candidate’s career path in science. Additionally, the candidate will have the opportunity to undertake research stays in Switzerland and the USA to further enhance their research objectives.
  

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  The International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) is a member Center of the “WPI Academy” founded by MEXT’s Research Promotion Bureau. I2CNER’s mission is to contribute to the creation of a sustainable and environmentally friendly society by conducting fundamental research for the advancement of low carbon emission and cost-effective energy systems, and improvement of energy efficiency. Please refer to the link below column for more detailed information regarding I2CNER.
  
  In November 2022, I2CNER launched the “Center for Energy Systems Design," referred to as “the Center”, under the “Carbon Neutral Energy Alliance” in collaboration with six research institutes* to conduct research that contributes to the realization of carbon neutrality. The Center consists of six research teams: "Photo Conversion", "Electric Conversion", "Materials Conversion", "Materials/Transport", "Data Science", and "Energy Analysis". The Center’s goal is "energy system design, high-speed conversion of energy, and materials conversion through using data science" toward the realization of carbon neutrality. Please refer to the following link for more detailed information regarding CESD.
  
  *Six collaborative institutes:
  Hokkaido University, Institute for Catalysis (ICAT)
  Tohoku University, Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)
  Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Tech Academy of Energy and Informatics (ISE)
  Kumamoto University, Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials (IINa)
  RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS)
  National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Research and Services Division of Materials Data and Integrated System (MaDIS)
  

• Work content and job description

  CESD/I2CNER is seeking a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in data science, particularly in the integration of machine learning into chemistry and materials science for carbon-neutral energy applications.
  One of our ongoing projects involves developing a generative model (potentially based on diffusion models or language models) to create novel crystal or molecular structures with specific target properties.
  We welcome candidates from chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and related fields who possess a strong understanding of machine learning, especially generative models. Candidates from machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, and related fields with sufficient knowledge of chemistry and materials science are also invited to apply.
  The selected researcher will work closely with Dr. Adroit Fajar (Assistant Professor) as part of the CESD Data Science team and will have the opportunity to participate in CESD’s collaborations with six leading research institutes across Japan.
  Passionate young researchers, including those in the final semester of their Ph.D. studies, are strongly encouraged to apply.
  

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  ELSI was launched in 2012 as part of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan. We have succeeded in establishing a unique and attractive international environment along with organizational innovations that accommodate and encourage scientists from all countries to carry out novel, ambitious, cutting-edge research yielding a global impact in our respective fields.
  ELSI aims to answer the fundamental questions of how Earth was formed, how life originated in the environment of early Earth, how this life evolved into complexity, and whether there are planetary bodies hosting life beyond Earth. ELSI pursues these questions through interdisciplinary collaborations.
  We are now seeking exceptional candidates for the role of Principal Investigator (Professor or Associate Professor) to lead world-class interdisciplinary research relevant to the origin and evolution of both Earth and life, and astrobiology. We encourage and support our candidates' close collaborations with overseas research institutes. Our institutional language is English; Japanese language skills are not required. An unprecedented level of support for researchers to live and thrive in Japan is provided by our talented staff.
  

• Work content and job description

  The Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), a research institute based at the Institute of Future Science, Institute of Science Tokyo, is seeking a collaborative and open-minded scientist to establish a research program in the origin and evolution of both Earth and life, and astrobiology studies as a tenured faculty member of the university (Full Professor level or Associate Professor level). We are particularly interested in the broad areas of chemistry to further strengthen our in-house research on chemical evolution toward life and co-evolution of planet-life systems.
  ELSI was launched in 2012 as part of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan. We have succeeded in establishing a unique and attractive international environment along with organizational innovations that accommodate and encourage scientists from all countries to carry out novel, ambitious, cutting-edge research yielding a global impact in our respective fields.
  ELSI aims to answer the fundamental questions of how Earth was formed, how life originated in the environment of early Earth, how this life evolved into complexity, and whether there are planetary bodies hosting life beyond Earth. ELSI pursues these questions through interdisciplinary collaborations.
  We are now seeking exceptional candidates for the role of Principal Investigator (Professor or Associate Professor) to lead world-class interdisciplinary research relevant to the origin and evolution of both Earth and life, and astrobiology. We encourage and support our candidates' close collaborations with overseas research institutes. Our institutional language is English; Japanese language skills are not required. An unprecedented level of support for researchers to live and thrive in Japan is provided by our talented staff.

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  The Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (ICReDD), Hokkaido University, as a global research center based on the “World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) , supported by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT),” constructs an international research environment which gathers world-leading researchers and establishes a research environment that integrates computational, information and experimental sciences, in order to establish a new academic field “Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery”, to provide substantial knowledge on chemical reactions that efficiently develop chemical reactions and materials for the future necessity, and to sustainably cultivate human resources engaged in the field of “Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery”.

• Work content and job description

  (Just after hiring)
  ICReDD promotes instruction in computing reaction paths using the AFIR method, analyzing reaction path networks, and utilizing computational methods (hereafter referred to as “computational science research instruction”)
  in the ICReDD fusion research and in the collaborative research through MANABIYA in ICReDD.
  In cooperation with the Fusion Research Coordinator, the following activities will be primarily undertaken:
  (1) Computational science research instruction in ICReDD fusion research
  (2) Computational science research instruction in MANABIYA academic and MANABIYA industry
  (3) Participation in meetings held in ICReDD, such as flagship projects and bottom-up projects, and
  understanding the research content to facilitate computational science research instruction
  (4) Publicity activities related to computational science research instruction
  (Scope of change) No change expected.

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (PRIMe), The University of Osaka aims at creating a new scientific field, Human Metaverse Medicine, in which two academic fields, human organoid-based biomedical science and information mathematical science, are combined to understand and provide solutions for modern diseases related to aging.
  We are looking for one Specially Appointed Assistant Professor (Full-Time) who can join our Information and Mathematical Sciences Group,

• Work content and job description

  Recent efforts in AI-driven bioinformatics are increasingly focused on applying large language models (LLMs), particularly those based on Transformer architectures, to high-dimensional biological datasets. One such data type is single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), a powerful technique that measures gene expression at single-cell resolution. A typical scRNA-seq experiment yields a matrix with tens of thousands of genes measured across tens of thousands of individual cells — an ideal setting for advanced machine learning approaches capable of handling complex, high-volume data. Recent research has begun to harness the power of LLMs to analyze such complex biological datasets at scale. The successful candidate for this position will work at the intersection of these technologies and contribute to the following tasks:
  (1)Analyzing scRNA-seq data from liver-disease organoid models generated by the wet-lab collaborators led by Prof. Takebe.
  (2)Developing methods specialized for analyzing the pathology of liver diseases by combining Transformers with existing bioinformatics algorithms.
  No prior knowledge of biology, bioinformatics, liver disease is required of the candidate.

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  The International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP) solicits applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship program. QUP was established on December 16, 2021, at High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) as one of the research centers under the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) of the Japanese government. QUP’s main laboratories are located on the Tsukuba campus of KEK in Tsukuba science city, 60 km northeast of Tokyo, Japan. In addition, QUP is opening up three satellite laboratories at the University of California Berkeley, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Sciences (ISAS) at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Toyota Central R&D Labs.

• Work content and job description

  We are seeking outstanding applicants for several positions of the rank of associate professor or assistant professor positions in experimental physics at QUP.
  We are interested in outstanding scientists with excellent track records and international recognition.
  The appointee will primarily engage in one of the following QUP experimental projects shown at：
  ◆For details, please refer to AcademicJobsOnline.org.

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  The International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP) solicits applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship program. QUP was established on December 16, 2021, at High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) as one of the research centers under the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) of the Japanese government. QUP’s main laboratories are located on the Tsukuba campus of KEK in Tsukuba science city, 60 km northeast of Tokyo, Japan. In addition, QUP is opening up three satellite laboratories at the University of California Berkeley, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Sciences (ISAS) at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Toyota Central R&D Labs.

• Work content and job description

  We are seeking outstanding applicants for approximately ten Postdoctoral Fellow positions at QUP in experimental physics. Successful candidates are expected to conduct research for the QUP experimental projects with the Principal Investigators.
  ◆For details, please refer to AcademicJobsOnline.org.

Job description

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

  The Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (ICReDD), Hokkaido University, as a global research center based on the “World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) , supported by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT),” constructs an international research environment which gathers world-leading researchers and establishes a research environment that integrates computational, information and experimental sciences, in order to establish a new academic field “Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery”, to provide substantial knowledge on chemical reactions that efficiently develop chemical reactions and materials for the future necessity, and to sustainably cultivate human resources engaged in the field of “Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery”.

• Work content and job description

  [Job Description]
  (Just after hiring) In the ICReDD Inokuma group, the following research will be carried out mainly to promote integrated research in computational, information and experimental sciences.
  (1) Synthesis of macromolecules with atomic scale precision
  (2) Prediction of molecular conformations by theoretical calculations and experimental validation
  (3) Molecular structure analysis using structure searching program and machine learning
  (4) Management tasks of the ICReDD
  (Scope of change) No change expected.