Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (W24187) Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher (W24187)

Laboratory: Research Instruments Group, RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science (Group Director: Nobuhisa Fukunishi)

Research Field: The Research Instruments Group is responsible for the operation, maintenance, management, and enhancement of the core research equipment and related infrastructure at the Radioactive Isotope (RI) Beam Factory, including the BigRIPS in-flight separator. The group produces RI beams using BigRIPS, delivers them to experimental users, and conducts physics research such as the search for undiscovered radioactive isotopes, and improvement of RI beam production methods. Additionally, the group develops technologies necessary to upgrade core experimental instrumentation. Through these activities, the group serves as the driving force for the continuous and efficient development of RI Beam Factory's research endeavors and international competitiveness.

Job title, available positions

Postdoctoral Researcher, one position

Job description

The successful candidate will be affiliated with the BigRIPS team and is expected to actively participate in RI-beam production aiming at delivering the beams for user experiments performed with the BigRIPS in-flight separator. Based on expertise cultivated through the RI-beam production experiences, the successful candidate is expected to play a key role in the development of efficient RI-beam production methods at BigRIPS through ion-optics optimization combined with energy degraders, focusing particularly on heavier RIs such as Z > 60. This research area is of increasing importance for future BigRIPS research activities.

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

Qualification

The candidate should possess a doctoral degree in relevant fields, or is a prospective PhD candidate who is scheduled to obtain a doctoral degree before the first day of work.

Work location

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. RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

• A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of 5 years from the initial date of hire.
• 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.
• There will be an interim review on the third year.

In principle, the first two months of employment is 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. The monthly base salary is 305,100 JPY as of April 1, 2024. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment: The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 342,915 JPY or more.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

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.

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.

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).

RIKEN has a work-from-home system, but this position requires attendance at the work location.

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.

Application and required documents

Required documents

• CV (with photo and email address) Write the RIKEN job ad number “W24187”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
• List of achievements (Please categorize: Papers on refereed journal, Papers on non-refereed journal, Conference presentation, Patents, Competitive funds, Others)
• A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.) Please specify the referee's contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• Summary of major achievements to date and research proposal in future (two pages A4 sized paper, respectively) Please specify the referee's contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA)or UK, you are required to submit the document, “Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)” with your signature.

How to apply

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

Application documents: Research Instruments Group, RNC

• The file name of the ZIP should contain your name.
• After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (mitimasa [at] ribf.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name “Research Instruments Group, [applicant's name] (Recommendation letter)”.

Note: All the submitted 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

Only candidates who pass the initial document screening will be invited for an interview.

Start of Employment

April 1, 2025 (Negotiable)

Contact Information

Research Instruments Group RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science Group Director: Nobuhisa Fukunishi Email: fukunisi [at] ribf.riken.jp

BigRIPS Team, Research Instruments Group RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science Team Leader: Shin'ichiro Michimasa Email: mitimasa [at] ribf.riken.jp For inquiries, please send an email.