Seeking a Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (25-1550) Full-time

Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher

Research and development of a system that combines automated massively parallel experimental and measurement apparatus with deep learning models such as reinforcement learning and world models, enabling AI to autonomously devise, execute, analyze, and learn from scientific experiments. This system is extended through the utilization of LLM and LVLM to enable collaborative work with human scientists.

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

The difference in positions is as follows:

• Senior Research Scientist: Assists the Team Director and autonomously conducts research topics, etc. while instructing Research Scientists, etc. of the laboratory.
• Research Scientist: Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes
• Postdoctoral Researcher: Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship and training of supervisors.

Common to all positions:

• Applicants should possess the knowledge, experience, and achievements necessary to take initiative in conducting the research and performing the duties outlined in the “Laboratory Overview” section above.
• Candidates must have strong communication skills and be able to collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders both within and outside the laboratory.
• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in a scientific field relevant to the job duties or be expected to complete their Ph.D. by the hiring date.

The qualifications for each position are as follows:

Senior Research Scientist

A doctoral degree in a field related to [Job Description] and at least 5 years of experience in a specialized area, and who can also provide guidance to lab members.

Research Scientist

A doctoral degree awarded at least 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].

Postdoctoral Researcher

A doctoral degree awarded less than 3 years ago in a field related to the [Job Description].

Required Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge and implementation experience in reinforcement learning and world models
• Experience applying LLM or LVLM to scientific fields
• Experience in research projects using automated experiments and measurement equipment

Work Location:

RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (Yokohama Campus) 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan 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, up to the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment. For Postdoctoral Researcher, a one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 3 years of employment.
• 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. 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:

Senior Research Scientist

The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 515,000 JPY or more. For a candidate who finished their PhD approximately 10 years ago and has the appropriate experience, skills and track record, the monthly pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 670,000 JPY/month.

Research Scientist

The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 431,000 JPY or more. For a candidate who finished their PhD approximately 5 years ago and has the appropriate experience, skills and track record, the monthly pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 510,000 JPY/month.

Postdoctoral Researcher

The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 367,000 JPY or more. For a candidate who joins RIKEN immediately after finishing their PhD, the monthly pay at hire (including the Discretionary Work Allowance) will be approximately 400,000 JPY/month.

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

These positions fall 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 (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).

The Yokohama Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Yokohama. For details, please send an email to kids-yk-hr@ml.riken.jp

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.

Application and Required Documents:

Prepare the documents below as PDF files and follow the instructions in [How to Apply] to submit them. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Complete CV with photograph and email address (Also indicate the desired position (e.g., Research Scientist) and the open call ID [25-1550] in the upper right corner of the CV.)
• List of research achievement and publications (articles, reviews and books), presentations, etc. in the past 5 years (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
• Brief description of previous research and achievements, and future research plans (maximum of two A4-size pages).
• One recommendation letter
• PhD degree diploma
• List of competitive external funds obtained (e.g., Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research [Kakenhi]; indicate whether you are the representative researcher or the collaborator)
• Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR/UK GDPR If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, you are required to sign and submit the document.

How to Apply:

The above documents except the recommendation letter should be converted to PDF and uploaded to the following website after these files are combined into a single ZIP file:

RIKEN/IMS Application Box

Zip file name: 25-1550_Position Title_Applicant's name

The file name of each PDF file:25-1550_Position Title_Applicant's name_submitted document No.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following website with the subject line “25-1550 _[applicant's name] “. Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter. Also, the referees need