Call for applications for the position of

Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for

FY 2018
RIKEN is currently accepting applications for the FY 2018 Special Postdoctoral
Researcher (SPDR) Program, from young, creative, independent researchers
who will be a powerful force in furthering RIKEN's research activities.

1. Description
The involvement of creative young scientists is critical in pioneering new
frontiers of science and technology. RIKENs Special Postdoctoral Researcher
Program is a program to foster the development of researchers who will
become internationally active in the future, and provides creative young
scientists with the opportunity to be involved in autonomous and independent
research on a topic of their own choosing that is in line with RIKEN objectives
and research fields.

2. Research fields
Mathematical Sciences, Physics (Physics I: particle, nuclear, astrophysics, etc.,
and Physics II: condensed matter), Chemistry, Biology (cell biology,
developmental biology, plant biology, structural biology, microbiology, imaging,
measuring, etc.), Medical science (brain science, psychology, immunology,
oncology, genome science, etc.) and Engineering that relate to research being
conducted at RIKEN. As part of the screening process, the research category to
which you applied may be changed to a different category.

3. Number of openings
Around 60
(subject to change with any change depending on budget)

4. Qualifications
Applicants must fulfill all four conditions given below:
(1) Be prepared to independently and responsibly pursue a research topic.
(2) Have a PhD awarded on or after January 1, 2012, or expect to be awarded a
PhD by the date of hire.
Note: Those with PhDs acquired prior to December 31, 2011, may also apply
if there was a lapse in their research activity, and if subtracting this period
of non-research activity will allow them an equivalency that meets the
above requirement. RIKENs screening committee will determine whether
the period of lapse is justifiable after the deadline for submitting the
application.

Examples of acceptable periods of lapse: maternity leave, childcare leave,

and working in private industry in a non-research capacity.

(3) Able to start work in FY 2018 (April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019)
(4) Those who have been continuously employed at RIKEN prior to March 31,
2011, are NOT eligible to apply.
(5) Those who have previously participated in the SPDR and FPR programs are
NOT eligible to apply.

5. Place of work
Location of RIKEN host laboratory

6. Duration of contract
(1) From date of hire (April 1, 2018) to March 31, 2019 (Actual starting state to
be decided upon consultation)

(2) Contract can be renewed on the basis of an evaluation made prior to the
conclusion of the contract, up to 3 years from the date of hire.

7. Salary and benefits

1. Annual salary paid in monthly installments of 487,000 yen (social insurance
premiums and taxes included). Commuting allowance (actual cost up to
maximum of 55,000 yen per month) and housing allowance (partial payment of
rent) will also be paid.
2. Travel cost to take up the appointment at RIKEN will be compensated
according to RIKENs rules and regulations.
3. Enrollment in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (Kyosaikai) is compulsory. A
Kyosaikai membership fee will be automatically deducted from your salary each
month.
4. Days off from work include Saturdays and Sundays, national holidays, year-
end/New Year holidays (Dec. 29 to Jan. 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
5. Other provisions as per RIKEN regulations.
6. Research budget: 1,000,000 yen per year
Notes
Salary is based on FY 2016 figures.

SPDRs will be exempt from repayment of category 1 scholarship loans from the
Japan Student Services Organization that were made before fiscal year 2003.
SPDRs are eligible to apply for external funding (kakenhi and the like).
SPDRs who take maternity leave, childcare leave, or additional leave for
childcare during the contracted period may have their contract duration extended,
in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

8. Application procedures and deadline

Procedures
1. Contact the RIKEN laboratory where you would like to work
Select a RIKEN laboratory where you would like to work from among the
laboratories that have indicated their willingness to host a SPDR and contact
the lab to confirm that it is ready to host from FY 2018. Refer to the
"Laboratories with SPDR Openings" list to find out which laboratories have
openings and contact the addresses shown on the relevant web pages.
Note: This list is updated regularly. Please take note of the date on which the
list was last updated. The laboratories and other listed organizations may
change even after April 19, 2017.

2. Research topic
After you find a laboratory that is willing to be your host, you should explain
the research topic you propose to carry out at RIKEN. Discuss the topic
thoroughly with the laboratory head to make sure that your final research topic
proposal takes into account the work being conducted within the host
laboratory.

3. Applicant registration
To register, access the website noted below, and enter the required basic
information.
Registration: February 15 to April 12
URLhttps://www.spdr-
fpr.com/kb/ia/aa/aa010/aa01001frm.aspx?seido=K&lang=2
You cannot access to the website above till February 15. After you have
registered online, download and prepare the following application documents.
Basic information registration deadline: April 12

4. Language
Either Japanese or English is acceptable for SPDR application documents and
interviews.
Application forms & documents
1. Curriculum vitae [MS-word 2003][PDF]
2. Summary of major research achievement [MS-word 2003][PDF] This
document is intended to present your major achievement to the members of
the screening committee. The summary should be clear and concise and should
be no more than one A4-size page. For papers of which you are a co-author,
the summary should explain your specific contribution. If you have several
major research achievements and related papers, they should be numbered on
the list of research achievements and referred to by that number in your
summary.
3. List of research achievements [MS-word 2003][PDF]
4. Research proposal [MS-word 2003][PDF]
Research topic, objective, description, and annual plan; no more than 5 A4
pages
5. Reprints of no more than three representative papers, if applicable
6. Reference from 1 or 2 individuals who are qualified to evaluate your
research achievements
Letters of reference should be sent directly by the referee. A request for a
letter of reference will be automatically sent to the email addresses for
references that you list when you register to apply.
(IMPORTANT: The email requesting the letters of reference will go out at
the same time as your registration. The deadline for the letters of
reference is the same as the application deadline (April 19). Please
register promptly so that your referees have time to prepare and send in
their letters of reference. Your application cannot be accepted if the
letters of reference do not arrive by the deadline (April 19). Contact your
referees early and register as early as possible. It will help to register your
basic information early, as you will be able to revise it later and also
upload any other revised documents a second time. You can check on the
status of your letters of reference through the online application system.)
There is no set format for the letters of reference, they must meet the
following conditions: they must be uploaded as PDF files and must be
addressed to the President of RIKEN. You may scan the signature or upload a
graphic version of the signature.
Submission procedure
After you have registered online you will automatically be sent an email with
your user ID, registration number, and password. Go to the website indicated in
the email and upload your application documents.
Later you may revise your basic information and upload revised documents, if
necessary.
IMPORTANT: All files must first be converted to PDF format before you can
upload them. Word files cannot be uploaded.
Deadline
For registering basic information:
April 12, 2017, Wednesday (Japan Time)

For revising or uploading application documents and letters of reference:

5 p.m., April 19, 2017, Wednesday (Japan Time)

9. Selection procedures and schedule

Comments Notification
Stage I When you register, be sure to give a contact email Mid July 2017
(document- address. (Screening results
based selection) and interview
notice)
Stage II Field Interview date Location Mid September
(interview) 2017
Mathmatical Between July 24 and Wako,
(Final results)
Sciences August 3; exact date yet to Saitama
be decided
Physics I
Physics II
Chemistry
Biology
Medical
science
Engineering
NOTE: Applicants coming from overseas are eligible for the following subsidies
to help cover travel costs: Please be sure to bring your receipts, travel itinerary,
roundtrip air ticket stubs (boarding passes), and your bank information for
deposit of the subsidy. All other costs must be covered by the applicant.

China, Korea, Taiwan: Actual cost up to 30,000 yen maximum

Other parts of Asia: Actual cost up to 50,000 yen maximum
All other countries and regions: Actual cost up to 70,000 yen maximum

10. Inquiries
SPDR Desk
Research Personnel Affairs Section
Human Resources Division, RIKEN
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198
Fax: 048-463-3687
Email: wakate@riken.jp
Note: Please send queries by fax or email. Telephone inquiries cannot be
accepted.
Information cannot be provided on the details of the screening process.

11. Additional information

1. Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected.
2. Submitted application documents cannot be returned or changed.
3. Submitted documents will be handled in accordance with the RIKEN rules
concerning personal information, and only used for screening applications for
this position. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred, or lent to
any third party without a justifiable reason.
4. All costs incurred in making application, other than those noted under
section 9 above, must be paid for by the applicant.
5. Intellectual property issues will be handled in accordance with RIKEN
regulations.
6. Only one research topic per applicant allowed.
7. The provisions for this position are premised on RIKENs current budget and
are subject to change with any change in the budget.
8. SPDRs are expected to work under the direction of the head of their host
laboratory.