FY 2012
RIKEN Initiative Research Unit Leader Recruitment
RIKEN Initiative Research Unit Leader Recruitment
With the recent Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and the as-yet unresolved situation at the Fukushima power plant, it is more important than ever that RIKEN recruit top class young researchers from overseas. Your help and support is greatly appreciated. Please let it be known far and wide that RIKEN fully intends to stay at the forefront of science and that we welcome the participation of young members of all nationalities in the international scientific community.
Because of these extraordinary circumstances, we are opening up the program this year to applicants of all nationalities. Everyone interested, whether Japanese or non-Japanese, is strongly urged to apply.
Research is moving forward at RIKEN
Because of these extraordinary circumstances, we are opening up the program this year to applicants of all nationalities. Everyone interested, whether Japanese or non-Japanese, is strongly urged to apply.
Research is moving forward at RIKEN
| Recruitment goal | RIKEN is seeking an Initiative Research Unit Leader for FY2012. The Initiative Research Unit Leader Program was established in FY2008 to give young scientists with outstanding, internationally recognized achievements the opportunity to pursue independent, interdisciplinary research of their own design at RIKEN, and to thereby further the development of RIKEN's research fields, and promote internationalization of the RIKEN research environment. The unit leader will independently select research associates and technicians to form a research unit that will further his or her research objectives. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research areas | Any area of the natural sciences, specifically newly pioneered fields or integrated fields of interdisciplinary science that include physics, chemistry, biology, medical science or engineering, that can be pursued at RIKEN. | ||||||||
| Research location | The laboratory will be established at a RIKEN campus in Japan which is judged most appropriate. The work area will include about 100 to 150 m2 of laboratory and office space. | ||||||||
| Desired qualifications | Applicants should be young scientists who possess both a doctoral degree in a natural science or engineering and a record of outstanding achievement, and will be able, as unit leader, to carry out research based on an independent plan within the above described fields. They should be able to proactively manage a research unit and devote their full energy to this research on a full-time basis. | ||||||||
| Number of positions available | One | ||||||||
| Starting date | The term of employment is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2012. Details will be decided at the interview. | ||||||||
| Contract period | The term of employment is for one year, from the date of hire, renewable annually up to a maximum of 5 years | ||||||||
| Characteristics of this program |
(1) RIKEN will nominate up to two advisors to provide advice and support to build and manage the research unit.
(2) The Initiative Research Unit leader will, in consultation with the advisor(s), independently select around three research associates to form a group to conduct research. Staff salaries and other expenses will be paid for out of the research budget. (3) An evaluation of the unit will be conducted by a committee including members from outside RIKEN three years and six months after the start of the initial contract (midterm evaluation), and again at the conclusion of the employment term (final evaluation). (4) In the event of an exceptionally good midterm evaluation, the unit leader will be recommended, upon completion of the initial five-year term, for a limited term PI position, or a permanent PI position as Associate Chief Scientist, allowing continuation of research, if desired. (5) The unit is encouraged to take maximum advantage of the RIKEN research environment, including common equipment and facilities, the hosting of Special Postdoctoral Researchers, Foreign Postdoctoral Researchers and International Program Associates, applying for competitive grants, etc. (6) The unit will be assigned an office assistant who is proficient in English. |
||||||||
| Remuneration, allowances and research budget. |
(1) Salary: 10.9 million yen per year (tax included) and commuting and housing allowances as per RIKEN regulations.
(2) Research budget: Approximately 38.5 million yen per year, from which the unit leader is expected to pay for around three research and technical staff persons. Depending on the circumstances, the first year budget may be supplemented with 10 million yen as startup funds. |
||||||||
| Application procedures and deadlines |
1. Documents to be submitted: Application information (in doc or PDF format)
Download the files specified below, and fill them out as instructed. Applicants may propose only one project plan. You may include details to the extent you consider necessary. Included among the files is a checklist to be used as a tool in preparing the application package. Check off each item as you accomplish it to show it has been completed. When this is done assemble the entire package, including the completed checklist, and mail it via registered mail or express delivery service to the address given below, allowing sufficient time to arrive before the deadline. Application materials should be sent in a manner that can be tracked, such as registered mail or by courier. Necessary documents:
a. Forms 1-5 should be submitted as originals, form 6 as a copy, and form 7 as a reprint or copy of a reprint. Documents should be assembled in order and fastened with a paper clip. (1 set)
Prepare a total of 5 sets
b. Forms 1-4 and 7 (copies and/or reprints) should be assembled in order and fastened with a paper clip. (4 sets)
2. Deadline for submission Application materials must be received by June 30, 2011, 5 pm Japan Standard Time. Prior to the above deadline you must submit provisional application (A) and formal application (B) as explained below. Applications cannot be accepted for any reason if the formal application (B) is not received by the deadline.
• For the provisional application, send forms 1 through 4 as an email attachment to
 . You will be sent an email response indicating that your tentative application has been received.• For the formal application, send the full set of original documents to the designated address by registered mail or courier delivery service to arrive by the submission deadline. Please keep in mind that electronic files do not equate formal application. The same provisions apply if the letter of recommendation (Form 5) is to be sent in separately from the application documents. 3. Method of submission Please write your return address on the application envelope and send the requested documentation by registered mail or express delivery service to: 4. Address for submission Initiative Research Unit (IRU) Desk Global Relations Office, RIKEN 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan Email:
After sending electronic files, be sure to follow up by sending the same documents by registered mail or courier delivery service. Electronic files unaccompanied by hard copy cannot be accepted as a formal application. |
||||||||
| Notification of selection for further consideration |
The first stage of screening will be an evaluation of submitted documents. Successful applicants will then be interviewed. Screening may be conducted in Japanese or English. Final decisions will be based on the ingenuity of the research proposal and feasibility of the research plan.
(1) Stage 1 document screening, results and interview notice
Stage 1 results are expected to be available and successful applicants notified of interview details by late August 2011. Please be certain to provide contact information valid for that period on the relevant form. (2) Stage 2 interview/presentation Interviews for those selected for further consideration are currently scheduled to be held from late October to early November 2011. Applicants will be notified of the day and time of interview. Applicants who do not show up for their scheduled interview will be treated as withdrawn. Travel expenses for the interview will be borne by RIKEN. (3) Stage 2 interview results Interviewees are scheduled to be contacted with the results of their stage 2 screening by late December 2011. |
||||||||
| Other Items |
(1) Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
(2) Regardless of the circumstances, documents will not be returned. (3) Application expenses will be the responsibility of the applicant, but travel and lodging expenses incurred by applicants invited to interview will be reimbursed according to RIKEN policy. (4) Research results will be treated in accordance with the employment contract. (5) No information will be released concerning application status or evaluation details. (6) Contact Information For further information, please contact us by e-mail or fax. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Initiative Research Unit (IRU) Desk Global Relations Office, RIKEN 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan E-mail: Fax: +81-48-463-3687(7) RIKEN websites / LIFE at RIKEN (8) All personal information provided to RIKEN in the application process is handled in strict confidentiality, and will not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any third party. (9) The conditions for this position are based on RIKEN's budget and are subject to change with changes in the budget. |