Seeking a Research Associate (26-1070) Full-time

Research Associate Position

Laboratory for Neurodiversity RIKEN Center for Brain Science (Team Director: Adrian Moore)

In our laboratory, we study the regulatory control of neuron and circuit differentiation. We use state-of-the-art combinations of genetics, molecular cell biology, in vivo imaging of cell differentiation, and machine learning-based image analyses to explore and test our hypotheses. We are recruiting researchers with strong backgrounds in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, protein biochemistry, in vivo imaging, and computational image analysis.

Job Title

Research Associate 1 position

Job Description

The researcher will investigate neuron growth, dendrite arbor patterning, and microtubule nucleation center activity during Drosophila sensory neuron differentiation, using genetic, in vivo imaging, and computational approaches.

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

Qualification

A master's degree holder in the area related to the job description or a person recognized as having equal ability. A person who also actively pursues PhD in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Research Scientist.

Work Location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198) RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary, in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

Salary and Benefits

• The employment period will last until March 31, 2027.
• 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.

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 provided. 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 313,660 JPY or more.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.

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 Saturdays and Sundays, 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 (caring for a sick child, 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). Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

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

• Complete CV or CV
  • Write the RIKEN job ad number “26-1070”, 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 research achievement and publications (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
• External funding awarded
• Summary of research experience to date
• Reason for applying for the post (personal strengths, motivation, future research plans, career aspirations, etc.)
• 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)
• Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy) Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
  • Hiring Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy

How to Apply

Please email your documents as a PDF file to gcna.cbs@ml.riken.jp. (Recommendation letters must be emailed directly from the reference to gcna.cbs@ml.riken.jp.)

• Note:
• (1) All the submitted documents will not be returned.
• (2) Only candidates who pass document screening will be contacted via email.

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 and interview for 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 an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

Start of Employment

October 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Brain Science Laboratory for Neurodiversity Email: gcna.cbs@ml.riken.jp For inquiries, please send an email.