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Home > Career opportunities > Call of applications for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for FY2010
Call of applications for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for FY2010
Applications are now being accepted for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for fiscal 2010 at RIKEN, an Independent Administrative Institution for basic research in a broad range of scientific fields.
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 21st century. And for this our greatest hope lies with the work of talented and free-thinking young scientists. RIKEN痴 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.
For further information, see [here].
Research fields All scientific and technological areas of physics, chemistry, biology, medical science, and engineering that relate to research being conducted at RIKEN.
Number of available positions Around 40
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, 2010.
(3) In principle, must have acquired or expect to acquire a doctoral degree on or after April 1, 2003.
Those whose doctorate degree dates back to the year FY2002 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).
Note that some of the conditions of application have changed, so please check "Additional information ⑫" carefully before applying.
Work location A laboratory located on a RIKEN campus or facility.
Duration of contract
From April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011
Contract can be renewed on the basis of an evaluation made prior to the conclusion of the contract, up to March 31, 2013.
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痴 Rules and Regulations.

Research budget: 1,000,000 yen per year
Salary data above is based on FY2008 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 leave, childcare leave, or additional leave for childcare during the contracted period, the contract duration can be extended.
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 email< wakate(at)riken.jp > indicating your desire to apply for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) to RIKEN by Friday, May 15, 2009.
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痴 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痴 latest date.
Preliminary registration for applicants
Before sending in the application forms and documents shown in 4. Application forms below, fill in our email template (click here for template). Copy the completed template into the body of an email and send to wakate(at)riken.jp.
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 2003][PDF] 1 original
(2) Research Proposal (Form 2)[MS-word 2003][PDF] 1 original
(3) Publications, Papers and Research Achievements (Form 3)[MS-word 2003][PDF] 1 original
(4) Summary of Major Paper (Form 4) [MS-word 2003][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 2003][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 set
(8) Up to three representative papers (copies acceptable) 3 of each
(9)

Application Documents Checklist [MS-word 2003][PDF]

 1 original
(10) Questionnaire (optional) [MS-word 2003][PDF] 1 original
(11) Address label for application envelope [MS-excel 2003][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 29, 2009
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 2009
Stage II
(interview)
Field Interview date Location Notice of results will be sent out in
late August 2009
Biology & medical science July 29, 2009, Wed Wako,
Saitama
Chemistry July 30, 2009, Thu
Engineering July 30, 2009, Thu
Physics I* July 30, 2009, Thu
July 31, 2009, Fri
Physics II July 31, 2009, Fri
Contract with RIKEN   Final notice will be sent out in
late March 2010
*The Physics I screening will be held on one of the indicated dates
Submissions and queries Special Postdoctoral Researcher Desk
Research Personnel Section
Advanced Research Promotion Division (3rd floor of the RIKEN Gallery building)
RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198

Fax: 048-463-3687
E-mail: wakate(at)riken.jp

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.
Additional information
Screening of application documents and interviews for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher may be made in either Japanese or English.
Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected.
Submitted application documents cannot be returned or changed.
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.
All costs incurred in applying for a Special Postdoctoral Researcher position are to be paid for by the applicant.
Research results will be handled in accordance with the provisions of employment contract.
Applications will only be accepted for one research topic per candidate.
Current Special Postdoctoral Researchers are ineligible to apply.
The conditions for this position are subject to change if there are changes in RIKEN痴 budget allocations or other extenuating circumstances.
Special Postdoctoral Researchers may not receive scholarship or fellowship funding from any outside source during their contract term at RIKEN.
With the candidate痴 agreement, the employment contract starting date may be moved up to October 1, 2009, in which case the limit on contract renewal will be to September 30, 2012.
The following changes in the SPDR program are effective as of recruitment for FY2010. Please make sure that you meet these requirements before applying.
Doctoral degree
Until FY2008, qualified applicants were required to have (or be in the process of acquiring) a doctoral degree or have 兎quivalent 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 FY2010 program must have acquired their doctoral degree no later than April 1, 2010.

Applicants who do not yet have their doctoral degree at the time of hire for the FY2010 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痴 labor laws effective October 2007 prohibit setting age limits in employment notices. SPDR applicants for FY2010 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