Seeking Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (26-1512) Part-time NEW

Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist

The Neural Circuits and Computations Unit at RIKEN Center for Brain Science is seeking a postdoctoral researcher or research scientist to investigate the computational principles of dreaming using biological neural network models, machine learning, and neural data analysis. This position is partly funded by a JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) on the topic of Scientific Dream Interpretation.

The successful candidate will advance the goal of our group to explore the computational contributions of dreams to both biological and artificial systems. The position will involve one or more of these overarching research directions: (1) using neural network models to explain how dreams are produced by brain circuits, (2) investigating the role of dream computations in biological systems, possibly through comparisons with artificial systems, and (3) seeking inspiration from the biological process of dreaming to improve machine learning models. These directions will be pursued in close collaboration with other grant members, whose experiments across many different animal species will inform our simulations and test our predictions.

We seek outstanding researchers with strong quantitative expertise and deep interest in understanding the brain, including a willingness to work with complex and messy neural datasets. The candidate must possess a doctoral degree in computer science, physics, engineering, mathematics, statistics, neuroscience, psychology, or a related field. The candidate should have experience designing, implementing, and analyzing neural networks for neural circuit modeling and/or machine learning. Fluency with mathematical expressions is necessary, and familiarity with neural data is ideal.

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 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.

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.

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.