SPring-8, the large synchrotron radiation facility

[Research Department]
Research Infrastructure Group (Group Director: Masaki Yamamoto)

[Area of Research]
The mission of the Research Infrastructure Group is to promote science at SPring-8 through utilization and improvement of beamlines. The group consists of four units, SR Life Science Instrumentation unit, SR Materials Science Instrumentation unit, Soft X-ray Instrumentation unit and SR Imaging Instrumentation unit. The units are responsible for research and development of advanced technology and methodology utilized in the vast fields of SR science, as well as operations and user supports of eight RIKEN beamlines.

[Available Position]
One Research Scientist or One Technical Scientist

[Job Description]
The main task will be R&D of methodologies or instrumentations for advanced experimental technique with the high-brilliance X-rays, for example, direct observation of the transient phenomena in nano-scale using X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray scattering or X-ray imaging. A successful candidate will be also involved in the operations and user supports of RIKEN beamlines.

[Qualifications]
• PhD (or equivalent research ability and background) in the relevant field of research.
• At least one year of overseas research experience is desirable for Research Scientist.

[Location]
RIKEN Harima Institute, 1-1-1, Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan

[Conditions]
A tenured fulltime position until RIKEN's retirement age of 60. However, the successful applicant may be offered instead a five-year fixed-term employment contract depending on the selection results. In this case, the employee can move to a tenured position after undergoing a successful review to be held at the end of the first 3 years of employment. Annual salary and other conditions of the fixed-term contract position are the same as for the tenured position.

Salary shall be determined on an annual basis subject to the applicant's experience and performance. Social health insurance, commuting and housing allowances might be provided. Days off are weekends, public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec 29 - Jan 3) and RIKEN Foundation Day. These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations. Recipients of JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) category 1 scholarship loans may be eligible to have loan repayments waived (those awarded through FY2003) (Research Scientist only). The researcher in this position will be eligible to apply for research grants offered by MEXT or JSPS.

[Application Documents]
(1) CV with photograph and E-mail address
(2) List of publications
(3) Letters of recommendation from two persons who can evaluate your work (At least one from outside of your country. One letter must be from your current supervisor, but if that is not possible a letter from a third party will be accepted. ) Letters of recommendation should be addressed to the president of RIKEN.
(4) List of competitive funding attained to date
(5) Cover letter detailing achievements and research goals/interest (up to 3 pages)

Note 1
Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without legitimate reason.

Note 2
Submitted documents will not be returned.

[Deadline]
5pm on Friday, October 15, 2010 (Japan Standard Time)

[Selection Process]
Selection will be made based on application screening and interviews.

[Start of Employment]
April 1, 2011 or later, but negotiable.

[Contact Information for Submitting Documents and Making Inquiries]
Research Affairs Section
Advanced Research Promotion Division, RIKEN
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198
(3rd floor of the RIKEN Gallery building)
Fax 048-463-3687
E-mail: rps-saiyo(please add "@riken.jp" to complete the address)
Email attachments and telephone calls cannot be accepted.

When you mail your application, please send as certified mail so that there will be a record of delivery. Please write in red, "Application for Research Infrastructure Group" on the front of the envelope.