Seeking Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (25-3067) Part-time

Research Scientist Or Postdoctoral Researcher

Laboratory for Neural Computation and Adaptation RIKEN Center for Brain Science (Team Director: Taro Toyoizumi)

Our research is within the field of computational neuroscience. We utilize computer models to explore how information is processed in the brain and how the brain circuits adapt to the environment. Drawing on analytical techniques from statistical physics and information theory, we probe the key functional properties of neural circuits. We apply these techniques to distill diverse experimental findings into a few core concepts. We hold a particular interest in activity-dependent forms of plasticity in the brain, which exert significant influences on learning, memory, and development. Leveraging mathematical models, we aim to formulate a theory that bridges cellular-level plasticity rules and computation. The capacity of neurons to represent and retain information is gauged from the structure and behavior of resulting circuits. For additional details, refer to the lab's webpage. Toyoizumi Lab

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher 1 position Research Scientist is defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years. Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.

Engaging in computational neuroscience research. (Please refer to [Research Field]) The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Applicants should have a PhD or are expected to obtain a PhD by the date of employment in physics, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or a related area. We seek highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a strong analytical background and interest in neuroscience. Candidates who want to bridge theory and experiment are also encouraged to apply.

RIKEN Center for Brain Science (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198) RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

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 total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 382,610 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 448,990 JPY or more for Research Scientist.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the telecommuting system is not available for this position, in principle.

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 (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.

Complete CV or CV

• * (RIKEN CV) Write the RIKEN job ad number “25-3067”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
• * (Original CV) Write down in the notes section of your CV the number written next to the title of the job position (e.g. 25-3067).

List of research achievement and publications (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)

Awards and External Funding, etc

Summary of research experience to date

Reason for applying for the post (personal strengths, motivation, future research plans, career aspirations, etc.)

One or two letter(s) of recommendation; one by current supervisor (If a letter by current supervisor is not possible, a letter by a third party)

• * Please specify the referee's contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phonenumber, and email address)

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, “Consent form for handling personal information based on Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) and the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation.”

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

Laboratory for Neural Computation and Adaptation, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN

The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address. After you upload the ZIP file, please let us (toyoizumilab@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees totoyoizumilab@ml.riken.jp with the file name” Lab for NCA, CBS, research scientist [applicant's name] (Recommendation letter)”. Please specify the applicant's name in the subject line.

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: toyoizumilab@ml.riken.jp Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Open until the position is filled

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.

May 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

RIKEN Center for Brain Science Laboratory for Neural Computation and Adaptation Email: toyoizumilab@ml.riken.jp For inquiries, please send an email.