Job type

• Researcher/Postdoc level

Research field

• Manufacturing Technology - Unspecified
• Life Science - Unspecified
• Others - Others

  Medical science

Wages

Qualifications

• Description

  We seek a highly motivated researcher with an interest in studying cognitive function using rodent models and strong background in either approaches using behavioral/optogenetic/chemogenetic methods and/or slice/in vivo electrophysiological recording techniques. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Computational neuroscience). Some proficiency in programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python) is also necessary. Applicants must be comfortable working in an international setting where the primary language of communication is English.

Employment Type

• Full-time

Contract period

• Nontenured - Non-tenure track

Work location

• Saitama

Compensation

• Supplementary explanation of compensation

  For details about "Salary and benefits", please refer to the above "Job posting URL".

Application Considerations

Number of hired

• Job content supplemental explanation

  [Laboratory]
  Laboratory for distributed cognitive processing, Center for Brain Science,
  (Laboratory Head: Lukas Ian Schmitt)
  
  [Research field]
  A key area of research within the lab is investigation of the neural mechanism for cognitive flexibility, and we started a new line of work focusing on curiosity. By combining various methods (rodent cognitive behavior tasks, electrophysiological methods, imaging and optogenetics etc.), we will examine how the various types of curiosities such as perceptual curiosity, curiosity for novelty or intellectual curiosity are generated in the brain and affect other cognitive functions.
  
  [Job title and description]
  Job title, available positions:
  Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist 1 position
  Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.
  Research Scientist is defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.
  
  Job description:
  The successful candidate will take the lead in assessing neural dynamics related to the curiosity via either high density neural recordings of spiking neurons or measurement of dopamine signaling using dopamine sensor in the relevant brain regions (such as PFC, striatum etc.) of mice performing newly developed behavioral tasks. They will also help to lead complementary experiments employing optogenetic interventions to test the functional roles of different brain circuits. Finally, the candidate will be expected to analyze behavioral/neural/dopamine dynamics. Candidates with experience in such paradigms and/or in completing survival surgeries in rodents or analytical work will therefore be given preference.
  
  [Work location]
  Branch and address:
  RIKEN Wako (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
  RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
  
  [Start of Employment]
  As early as possible
  
  [Keyword]
  Curiosity, Cognitive Flexibility, Learning, Dopamine, Decoder, CognitiveTask, Electrophysiology, Optogenetics, Imaging, Rodents, PFC, Striatum

Application period

• 2023/05/15~2023/12/06 Deadline for receipt

  Open until the position is filled

Application method

• * Out of application period.

URL of this job posting

Selection / Notification of result

• Notification of result

  [Application and required documents]
  Required documents:
  Please refer to the above "Job posting URL" regarding the "Required documents“
  
  How to apply:
  The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the link: please refer to the above "job posting URL".
  Please indicate in the application the position sought (e.g. Postdoctoral Researcher, Distributed Cognitive Processing Team, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN) in the application.
  The file name of the uploaded file should contain your contact email address.
  After you uploaded the application file, please let us (lukas.schmitt [at] riken.jp) know the file name.
  
  Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the website(: please refer to the above "job posting URL") with the file name " Center for Brain Science Postdoctoral Researcher [applicant's name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.
  Recommendation Website: please refer to the above "job posting URL"
  
  After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (lukas.schmitt[at]riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
  
  Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.
  
  [Deadline]
  Open until the position is filled
  
  [Selection process]
  Application screening and interview for selected applicants
  
  [Contact information]
  RIKEN Center for Brain Science
  Laboratory/Research Unit for Distributed Cognitive Processing
  Email: lukas.schmitt [at] riken.jp (Replace [at] with @ )
  For inquiries, please send an email either in English or in Japanese.

Contact details

Notes