Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for FY2009

RIKEN
Call of applications for the position of
Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for FY2009

Applications are now being accepted for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for fiscal 2009 at RIKEN, an Independent Administrative Institution for basic research in a broad range of scientific fields.

1. Description
There is a pressing need to make the most of creative and basic research potential if we are to pioneer new frontiers in science and technology on a global scale in the 21^st century. And for this our greatest hope lies with the work of talented and free-thinking young scientists. RIKEN's program for Special Postdoctoral Researchers provides young and creative scientists with the opportunity to be involved in autonomous and independent research that is in line with RIKEN objectives and research fields.

2. Research fields
All scientific and technological areas of physics, chemistry, biology, medical science, and engineering that relate to research being conducted at RIKEN.

3. Number of available positions
Around 40.

4. Qualifications
Applicants must fulfill all three requirements:

(1)

Must be prepared to independently and responsibly pursue a research topic

(2)

Must be a researcher with a doctoral degree in natural sciences or expecting to get a doctorate degree by March 31, 2009.

(3)

In principle, must have acquired or expect to acquire a doctoral degree on or after April 1, 2001

Those whose doctorate degree dates back to the year FY2000 or earlier and those who have special circumstances regarding their research background should indicate this on their application (Form 1). Any special circumstances related to work experience or years of postdoctoral research activities must be noted on Application Form 1. (Examples: Change to research after corporate employment in a non-research position; temporary suspension of research activity due to maternity or childcare leave.)

Non-Japanese applicants who are not permanent residents of Japan must, in addition to the above requirements, have completed a doctoral program at a Japanese graduate school (or must be preparing to complete such a program) and must have a doctoral degree (or expecting to secure a doctoral degree).

There have been some changes in the SPDR program. Please read carefully item (11) under 11. Additional information below.

5. Work location
A laboratory located on a RIKEN campus or facility.

6. Duration of contract

1.	From April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010
2.	Contract can be renewed on the basis of an evaluation made prior to the conclusion of the contract, up to March 31, 2012.

7. Salary and benefits
An annual salary will be paid in the monthly amount of 487,000 yen (inclusive of social health premiums and income tax). A commuting allowance (actual cost up to a maximum of 45,000 yen per month) and housing allowance (partial payment of rent) will also be paid.

Days off from work include Saturdays and Sundays, national holidays, year-end holidays (Dec. 29 to Jan. 3), and RIKEN Founding Day.

Other payments will be made in accordance with RIKEN's Rules and Regulations.

Research budget: 1,000,000 yen per year

Salary is based on FY2007 figures.
JASSO scholarship loan recipients will be eligible to have their loan repayment waived. For those who have received loans after fiscal 2003, JASSO will determine loan waiver eligibility.
Eligible to apply for external funding (KAKEN funding and the like)
Should the Special Postdoctoral Researcher take maternity and/or childcare leave during the contracted period, the contract duration can be extended.

8. Application procedures and deadline
Procedures

Notification of desire to apply: Laboratory-related reference materials will be sent to those with an interest in applying. Send an e-mail to

to indicating your desire to apply for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) to RIKEN by Friday, May 16, 2008.

Contact the RIKEN laboratory where you would like to work and decide on your research proposal: Contact a RIKEN laboratory that has indicated its willingness to host an SPDR and explain your proposed research topic. After sufficient discussion with the laboratory head, prepare your final research topic proposal making sure to take into account the host laboratory's research field. Please note that not all RIKEN laboratories have openings available for Special Postdoctoral Researchers. Check the listing given below to find out which laboratories have openings.

NOTE: Laboratories with SPDR Openings is regularly updated. Please take note of the list's latest date.

Application forms
Download the following application forms, fill out and submit. (Either handwritten or typed is acceptable.) Use the Application Documents Checklist (9) to make sure that all your documents are in order.

Application forms & documents

(1)	Special Postdoctoral Researcher Application (Form 1) (Attach photo) [MS-word 2002][PDF]	1 original
(2)	Research Proposal (Form 2) [MS-word 2002][PDF]	1 original
(3)	Publications, Papers and Research Achievements (Form 3) [MS-word 2002][PDF]	1 original
(4)	Summary of Major Paper (Form 4) [MS-word 2002][PDF]	1 original
(5)	Recommendation from Research Instructor (Past, present or equivalent) (Form 5) (May be sent in separately from other application papers) [MS-word 2002][PDF]	1 original
(6)	Proof of doctoral degree (Degree certificate or diploma or A4-size copy)	1 original
(7)	A4 size copies of documents (1) through (4) (Staple top left corner of each set.)	5 sets
(8)	Up to three representative papers (copies acceptable)	3 of each
(9)	Application Documents Checklist [MS-word 2002][PDF]	1 original
(10)	Questionnaire (optional) [MS-word 2002][PDF]	1 original
(11)	Address label for application envelope [Excel][PDF] (Paste on 240mm by 332mm size envelope)	1 original

Application submission

Place all required documents in a 240mm by 332mm envelope, attach the label (11) supplied and either hand deliver or send by registered postal mail (kakitome).

Deadline
5 pm, Friday, May 30, 2008

9. Selection procedures and schedule

	Comments			Notice
Stage I (document-based selection)	Be sure to indicate on Form 1 where and how you should be notified.			Notice of screening results and interview, if applicable, will be sent out in mid July 2008
Stage II (interview)	Field	Date	Location	Notice of results will be sent out in late August 2008
	Biology& medical science	July 30, 2008, Wed	Wako, Saitama
	Chemistry	July 31, 2008, Thu
	Engineering	July 31, 2008, Thu
	Physics I*	July 31, 2008, Thu August 1, 2008, Fri
	Physics II	August 1, 2008, Fri
Contract with RIKEN				Final notice will be sent out in late March 2009

*The Physics I screening will be held on one of these dates.

10. Submissions and queries
Special Postdoctoral Researcher Desk
Research Personnel Section
Advanced Research Promotion Division (3^rd floor of the RIKEN Gallery building)
RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198

Fax: 048-463-3687

NOTE:Please send queries by fax or e-mail. Telephone inquiries cannot be accepted. Information cannot be provided on the details of the screening process.

11. Additional information

1.	Screening of application documents and interviews for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher may be made in either Japanese or English.
2.	Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected.
3.	Submitted application documents cannot be returned or changed.
4.	The documents you submit will be handled with the utmost care in accordance with RIKEN's rules for the protection of personal data and will be used only for employment screening purposes. This information will never be divulged, assigned, or loaned to a third party without legitimate reason.
5.	All costs incurred in applying for a Special Postdoctoral Researcher position are to be paid for by the applicant.
6.	Research results will be handled in accordance with the provisions of employment contract.
7.	Applications will only be accepted for one research topic per candidate.
8.	Current Special Postdoctoral Researchers are ineligible to apply.
9.	The conditions for this position are subject to change if there are changes in RIKEN's budget allocations or other extenuating circumstances.
10.	With the candidate's agreement, the employment contract starting date may be moved up to October 1, 2008, in which case the limit on contract renewal will be to September 30, 2011.
11.	The following changes in the SPDR program are effective as of recruitment for FY2009. Please make sure that you meet these requirements before applying.

(1) Doctoral degree
In previous years, qualified applicants were required to have (or be in the process of acquiring) a doctoral degree or have "equivalent research experience." From FY2009, however, only candidates who already have or will soon acquire a doctoral degree are qualified to apply. Therefore, in principle, all applicants for the FY2009 program must have acquired their doctoral degree no later than April 1, 2009.

Applicants who do not yet have their doctoral degree at the time of hire for the FY2009 program will be expected to get their doctorate within the year. If they fail to do so, their contract will not be renewed for the next fiscal year.

(2) Age and research experience after getting doctorate degree
Changes in Japan's labor laws effective October 2007 prohibit setting age limits in employment notices. SPDR applicants for FY2009 must make sure that their doctoral degree was acquired in the stipulated time period.

In keeping with the intent of this program which is directed at young researchers, the conditions for applying will change over the next few years as shown below.

FY2008	FY2009	FY2010	FY2011	FY2012
In principle, under the age of 35	In principle, must have a doctorate in the natural sciences acquired in or after FY2001	In principle, must have a doctorate in the natural sciences acquired in or after FY2003	In principle, must have a doctorate in the natural sciences acquired in or after FY2005	In principle, must have a doctorate in the natural sciences acquired in or after FY2006