Riken Institute | Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Math

Outline of Laboratory

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (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.

On April 1, 2025, iTHEMS was reorganized from a Program into a Center. iTHEMS aims to elucidate the universe, matter, and life, and to solve fundamental problems in society, using a cross-disciplinary approach centered on mathematics.

Through this call, iTHEMS is seeking Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers to join the Mathematical Social Science Team and advance mathematical research aimed at deepening our understanding of collective social phenomena and contributing to the realization of a stable and sustainable society.

Job title and Job description

• Job title: Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, a few positions
• Research Scientist: Conducts the laboratory’s research projects.
• Postdoctoral Researcher: Under the training and guidance of senior staff, conducts the laboratory’s research project, etc.

*The applicant will be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability, aptitude, etc.

• Job description: iTHEMS is seeking Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers who mathematically study collective social behaviors, leveraging approaches such as evolutionary game theory, network science, and agent-based simulations. We are interested in a wide range of topics, including the evolution of cooperation, the formation of social networks, and opinion dynamics, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the preservation of global commons and the realization of a sustainable society. We welcome applications from individuals who share the philosophy of iTHEMS and are eager to promote interdisciplinary research across diverse fields, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, engineering, computational science, information science, and social sciences.

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

Mathematical Social Science Team, Division of Applied Mathematical Science, RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (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 of 3 years (Postdoctoral Researcher) or 5 years (Research Scientist) from 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 is 327,200 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 384,000 for Research Scientist, as of April 1, 2025. 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.

Application and 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, you may include them here.

2.Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3.List of publications (including preprints)

4.Research statement (summary of current and past research relevant to this position; 2 pages max)

5.Research proposal (describe your research objectives over the time scale of the position [3-5 years]; 3 pages max)

6.Interdisciplinary statement (discuss your views and interest on interdisciplinarity, and how you see yourself interacting with iTHEMS members from other fields; 1 page max)

7.Contact information of two persons willing to provide a reference.

8.Consent form (PDF 182.9KB)The webpage will open in a new tab. for handling personal information based on GDPR

Application documents should be uploaded through Academic Jobs Online

This position is open until the position is filled. We will first select the application documents that have arrived by July 18, 2025 (JST).

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS), Division of Applied Mathematical Science, Mathematical Social Science Team

Email: yohsuke.murase@riken.jp

For inquiries, please send an email.

Source and more details: https://www.riken.jp/en/careers/researchers/20250519_1/index.html