【Title】 

Seeking a few Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Scientists (W24096)

【Laboratory】 

Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit (tentative name), RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS) (Unit Leader: Leo Speidel)

【Research Field】  
iTHEMS promotes interdisciplinary collaborations and the creation of new interdisciplinary fields through interactions among researchers in mathematics, theoretical sciences, and computational sciences. iTHEMS aims to nurture and support young scientists eager to cross disciplinary boundaries.

The Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit (tentative name), to be established on November 1, 2024, conducts research on the development and application of new mathematical and statistical techniques that leverage rapidly growing genomes, ancient and modern, to reconstruct the evolutionary past of humans and other species.

For more information, please refer to the following website:　

RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS)

【Job title and Job description 】　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Job title, available positions
Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Scientists, a few positions

Position-specific task is as follows:

Postdoctoral Researcher
Conduct own research projects with a host researcher.

Research Scientist
Conduct own research projects autonomously and to expand the scope of the research through new joint projects.

Job description
iTHEMS is seeking a few Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Scientists working in the Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit (tentative name) with Dr Leo Speidel.

Our lab focuses on the development and application of new mathematical and statistical techniques to reveal the evolutionary forces acting on our DNA, from key events in a nation’s recent past to the earliest days of our species. For instance, our methods can inform us about past migrations and mixtures, introgression with Neanderthals and other extinct hominids, and map the genetic adaptation that enabled survival against environmental change throughout human history. In recent years, we have enabled the reconstruction of genome-wide genealogical trees that relate all humans (or any other species) back in time through shared ancestors (e.g., Speidel et al. Nature Genetics 2019, MBE 2021). These genetic trees now incorporate the genomes sequenced from ancient bone (Speidel et al MBE 2021, bioRxiv 2024) and have long been sought as the best achievable record of our shared genetic past.

The successful applicants will work on the development and/or application of new statistical techniques in one of the following areas, depending on suitability and interest: Quantifying hidden mixtures of human groups using new modern and ancient DNA; quantifying adaptation and its timing across populations; leveraging large-scale modern and ancient canid genetic variation data to understand speciation, interbreeding, and adaptation; development and application of similar techniques to understand pathogen evolution.

For more details, send an e-mail to the contact address below.

 
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

【Qualification】
The candidate should possess or is expected to obtain a doctoral degree by the starting date.

【Work location】
RIKEN Wako (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

【Salary and benefits】
1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum 3 years (Postdoctoral Researcher), 5 years (Research Scientist) from the initial date of hire.
2. RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period.
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. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 450,000 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher and 500,000 JPY or more for Research Scientist.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Days off include 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 (childcare, 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.
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.

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003, and eligible applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to the HR at kids [at] riken.jp.

【Application and required documents】
[Required documents]
1. A cover letter explaining your motivations to apply for this position. If there are special circumstances you would like the committee to consider (e.g., parental leave), you may include them here.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
* Please write down the job position number (W24096) next to your name. You may also include your research IDs (ORCID, Google Scholar, Researchmap, etc.).
3. List of publications (including preprints)
4. Research statement (summary of current and past research relevant to this position) and research proposal (your research objectives over the time scale of the position [3 years]). 3 pages max
5. Interdisciplinary statement (discuss your views and interest on interdisciplinary studies, and how you see yourself interacting with iTHEMS members from other fields; 1 page max)
6. Contact information of two persons willing to provide a reference (name, position, and e-mail address).
7.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA)or UK, you are required to submit the document, “Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)” with your signature.

 *You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection_en
*You will find detailed information about Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK GDPR) on the following website:
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-and-the-eu/

If you are not a resident of European Economic Area(EEA) or UK, please write it on the consent form and upload from the system in order to complete your application.

[How to apply]
Application documents should be uploaded through Academic Jobs Online

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

[Deadline]
Open until the position is filled.
We will first select the application documents that have arrived by October 31, 2024 (JST).
 
[Handling Personal Data]
Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening at RIKEN. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

【Selection process】
Application screening, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants

【Start of Employment】
April 1, 2025 (Negotiable)

【Remark】
Each Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Scientist will be allocated an annual research grant of up to 1.5 million yen

【Contact Information】
RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS)
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198
For inquiry, send an email to ithems_app[at]ml.riken.jp with Subj: W24096.