Detailed information

Now recruiting
Date of update : 2024/04/01 End date of accepting applications : 2025/04/02
Now recruiting
Date of update : 2024/04/01
End date of accepting applications : 2025/04/02

Work location : Kanto district - Saitama

Date of publication : 2024/04/02

Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (W23346) (Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team)

D124040032

National research institute / Independent administrative institute

Research field : Natural Science - Applied mathematics and statistics | Natural Science - Mathematical analysis | Natural Science - Mathematical physics and fundamental theory of condensed matter physics | Natural Science - Biophysics, chemical physics and soft matter physics | Manufacturing Technology - Control and system engineering

Researcher/Postdoc level : Contract employee - Nontenured - Non-tenure track - Probationary period present

Job description

  • Background of the recruitment and description of the project

    [Research Field]
    Our group is working on both artificial and biological catalysis. Namely, we are developing electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and other reactions related to clean energy, while also studying the reason behind the diversity of enzymes for amino-acid biosynthesis. While the two topics may seem distant at first glance, both systems are designed to promote specific chemical reactions, and therefore, there are similarities in the underlying principles of physical chemistry. Furthermore, we are currently expanding the theoretical framework such that not only activity, but also selectivity, stability, lifetime, self-replication, and other life-like properties can be predicted mathematically. Based on the multi-dimensional evaluation of both artificial and biological catalytic systems, we aim to promote sustainable energy-material conversion.

    [Keywords]
    Chemical reaction network theory, dynamical systems, control theory, information theory, statistical mechanics, applied mathematics, biophysics, chemical physics, system chemistry, system biology, system engineering

    For more information, please refer to the following website:
    Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team's Website.

    https://rnakamura-lab.riken.jp/

  • Work content and job description

    The applicant will work on the Grants-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas A: Chemistry of the CO World project. In particular, the applicant will study networks consisting of multiple chemical reactions and provide theoretical hypotheses on the requirements for the emergence of autocatalysis and other higher order behavior. Additionally, the applicant will provide experimental guidelines to verify the hypothesis. The project is expected to end on March 31, 2027.

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

    The role allocated to each position is as follows:

    Research Scientist
    Conducts laboratory research programs and other work.

    Postdoctoral Researcher
    Conducts laboratory research programs and other work based on guidance from their supervisor(s).

  • Assigned department

    Existing departments

    Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science

Job type

  • Researcher/Postdoc level

Research field

  • Natural Science - Applied mathematics and statistics
  • Natural Science - Mathematical analysis
  • Natural Science - Mathematical physics and fundamental theory of condensed matter physics
  • Natural Science - Biophysics, chemical physics and soft matter physics
  • Manufacturing Technology - Control and system engineering

Wages

  • Annual Salary : 3 million yen ~

    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. The monthly base salary is 355,000 JPY for Research Scientists and 300,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researchers, as of April 1, 2024. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

    In addition to the salary above, discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

    The approximate amount of monthly salary at the time of employment:

    Research Scientist
    The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 430,000 to 470,000 JPY.

    Postdoctoral Researcher
    The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance for a candidate with 1 year of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 340,000 to 420,000 JPY.

Working hours

  • Working hours :09:00-17:20

    Break time :12:00-12:50

    Holidays : 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).

    Overtime and other explanations : This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Application requirements

Qualifications

  • Education and Degree Requirements

    Ph.D. / Doctor

    Research Scientist
    A person who has obtained a PhD five or more years ago, or, someone with similar qualifications.

    Postdoctoral Researcher
    A person who has obtained a PhD within the past five years, or, one who is able to obtain a degree by the starting date.

    *From the viewpoint of career development at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, the tenure as a RIKEN Postdoctoral Researcher is within five years in principle.

  • Description

    We are looking for members who can promote research independently and stimulate our research team.

    ・There is no requirement on previous research topics, as long as the candidate is familiar with theoretical concepts required to tackle the research project.
    Examples may include applied mathematics such as dynamical systems analysis, control systems theory, mathematical biology, or statistical mechanics.
    ・The applicant must be able to communicate in English.
    ・The applicant must be able to communicate and work together with collaborators both inside and outside our research group.

Employment Type

  • Contract employee

    Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher

Contract period

  • Nontenured - Non-tenure track

    1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation until March 31, 2027.
    However, because the maximum employment duration for a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Sustainable Resources Science(CSRS)is 5 years, the tenure of a Postdoctoral Researcher at RIKEN(including the period that you worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at RIKEN before)reached to five years before the date indicated above that is the upper limit on the term of employment, that is your limit employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher at CSRS. If you wish to continue working at RIKEN after that date, you may apply for the open position.
    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. ※ For this continuance, please refer to “Job Posting URL".

    Probationary period present

    In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period. There is no change of working conditions.

Work location

  • 351-0198 Saitama 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako City RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (Wako Campus)

    RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
    RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Compensation

  • Various systems

    Pay increase system : 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.

    Transportation expenses : available

    Others : Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai). There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.

  • Insurance

    Employees' Health Insurance : available

    Employees' Pension Insurance : available

    Worker's accident insurance : available

    Employment insurance : available

    Others : available

  • Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace

    Smoking will be entirely prohibited on site from April 2024.

  • Supplementary explanation of compensation

    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 the HR at kids [at] riken.jp.

    Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003 , and eligible applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

Application Considerations

Number of hired

    1 person(s)

  • Description

    Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, 1 position

  • Job content supplemental explanation

    Start of Employment: As early as possible (Negotiable)

Application period

  • 2024/04/02~2025/04/02 Deadline for receipt

    Open until the position is filled.

Application method

  • Attached documents

    Application Form : Online Submission
    Please refer to "Job Posting URL".
    Achievements and Activities : Online Submission
    Please refer to "Job Posting URL".

    Other online application forms
    Please refer to "Job Posting URL".

  • Return of application documents

    Others

    Application documents will not be returned.
    Submitted documents including personal information will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening.

JREC-IN Portal web application
Not available
E-mail Application
Not available
Recruiting Institution's Web application system
Accept
Please refer to "Job Posting URL".

URL of this job posting

Selection / Notification of result

  • Selection

    Document screening and interview for selected applicants (face-to-face or remote).

  • Notification of result

    Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email after document screening.

Contact details

RIKEN

Center for Sustainable Resource Science

Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team

nakamuralab-recruit-ABC-@ml.riken.jp

Please delete "-ABC-" in the above email address.

Notes

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.

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