Project Research Associate/Postdoctrial Fellow (Full-time Fixed-term Project Staff) (Nagai Laboratory) at IRCN, The University of Tokyo

23 Jan 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

The University of Tokyo

Department

International Research Center for Neurointelligence

Research Field

Information science
Computer science
Engineering
Technology
Pharmacological sciences
Environmental science
Agricultural sciences
Ethics in health sciences
Neurosciences
Medical sciences
Anthropology
Chemistry
Biological sciences
Ethics in natural sciences
Juridical sciences
Communication sciences
Criminology
Arts
Philosophy
Religious sciences
Psychological sciences
Literature
Political sciences
Management sciences
Sociology
Language sciences
Ethics in physical sciences
Geography
Demography
Educational sciences
Cultural studies
Ethics in social sciences
History
Economics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)

Application Deadline

15 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)

Country

Japan

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

See description

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

[Background of the recruitment and description of the project]
* Background of the recruitment and description of the project
Yukie Nagai lab at IRCN investigates the mechanisms underlying human cognitive development and disorders through computational approaches. We develop computational neural networks inspired by the human brain and examine what mechanisms enable the networks to acquire human-like intelligence.
For more information, please visit our lab homepage.
We are currently seeking researchers (Project Research Associates or Project Researchers) to participate in the following projects:
(a) CREST “Cognitive Feelings that Mediate Between Perception and Emotion” (PI: Yukie Nagai, Period: Oct 2021 - Mar 2027)
(b) Moonshot “Development of “Jizai Hon-yaku-ki (At-will Translator)” connecting various minds based on brain and body functions” (PI: Kenichiro Tsutsui, Period: Sep 2022 - Mar 2027)
https://developmental-robotics.jp/en/ .

* details of the business
The IRCN (International Research Center for Neurointelligence) was established on October 10, 2017 with a 10-year mission: to create a new discipline at the interface of human and artificial intelligence from the perspective of neurodevelopment and its disorders. Great technical strides are prying open the black box of the brain, while artificial deep-learning algorithms can now defeat Go masters. Yet, we are still far from understanding the general and flexible intelligence characteristic of humans. IRCN seeks answers in the underlying principles of neural circuit development and how it goes awry in psychiatric disorders. This promises new insights for truly neuro-inspired artificial intelligence (A.I.) and innovative, computational approaches to better understanding the human condition. Ultimately, such an approach will encompass the fruits of human intelligence - the humanities and social sciences. Come share our quest, key collaborations, state-of-the-art core facilities and unique culture!

[Work content and job description]
(a) CREST “Cognitive Feelings that Mediate Between Perception and Emotion”
This position involves research aimed at constructively investigating the mechanisms underlying diversity in human
sensorimotor behavior and subjective experience, using neural network models and probabilistic models. The work requires
technical expertise in developing neural network and probabilistic models, as well as foundational knowledge in cognitive
neuroscience, psychology, and developmental disorders. The researcher will also collaborate closely with project members to
formulate and test principled hypotheses about cognitive functions.
(b) Moonshot “Development of “Jizai Hon-yaku-ki (At-will Translator)” connecting various minds based on brain and body
functions”
This position focuses on developing computational methods to estimate, predict, and visualize mental states such as
emotions and intentions from motor signals (e.g., gestures, facial expressions, speech) and physiological signals (e.g., heart
rate, respiration, EEG). The work requires knowledge of signal processing techniques, including image and audio processing,
as well as expertise in machine learning and neural networks. The researcher will also work collaboratively with project
members to conduct cognitive psychology experiments involving infants and individuals with developmental disorders.
[Scope of change]
- Project Research Associate: The University may order employees to be reassigned to different positions, or order them to
take up additional positions or to work on an external assignment. (In principle, there is no such thing as being ordered
against one's will. Details are in accordance with Article 4 of the University of Tokyo Regulations on Conditions of Employment
of Academic Staff.)
- Project Researcher: The University may order employees to be reassigned to different positions, or order them to take up
additional positions or to work on an external assignment.

* Assigned department
Existing departments
Precautions:[Scope of change]
- Project Research Associate: Place designated by the University. (In principle, University academic staff shall not be ordered to be reassigned or assigned to work on an external assignment against their will. Details are in accordance with Article 4 of the University of Tokyo Regulations on Conditions of Employment of Academic Staff.)
- Project Researcher: In principle, within the same center.

[Work location]
* Address
113-0033 Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo Yukie Nagai (IRCN Principal Investigator) lab, International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Institutes for Advanced Study

[Number of hired]
Number of hired:2 person(s)
Number of hired description:Project Research Associate/Postdoctrial Fellow　One or Two
Job content supplemental explanation:Starting date is negotiable

Where to apply

Website

https://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekJorDetail?fn=0&ln=1&id=D126011163&ln_jor=1

Requirements
Additional Information
Benefits

[Compensation]
Annual salary:4 million yen - 6 million yen
Wages description:Salary: Annual salary system in accordance with the University of Tokyo Regulations, with a monthly salary of around JPY380,000 - JPY500,000 including Merit Based Allowances. (Salary is to be determined according to qualifications, ability, experience, etc.)
Working hours:09:00-17:30
Break time:12:00-12:45
Holidays :Saturday and Sundays; Statutory public holidays of Japan; Year-end and New Year holidays(December 29 through January 3)
Overtime and other explanations:Under the discretionary work system for specialized work, the employee is considered to work 7 hours and 45 minutes per day.
Employment type:Contract employee
Contract period:Nontenured
Contract period description:From adoption date to March 31, 2027. Starting date is negotiable.
Probationary period:Probationary period present
Probationary period description:14 days from the date of hiring.

[Various systems]
Pay increase system:not available
Bonus:not available
Retirement allowances:not available
Transportation expenses:available

[Insurance]
Employees' Health Insurance:available (the Mutual Aid Association of the Ministry of Ecucation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology /文部科学省共済組合）
Employees' Pension Insurance:available (the Mutual Aid Association of the Ministry of Ecucation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology /文部科学省共済組合
Worker's accident insurance:available
Employment insurance:available

[Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace]
Smoking is prohibited on the premises (smoking areas are located outside)

[Supplementary explanation of compensation]
[Paid Leaves] Annual paid leaves, refreshment leave, congratulatory or condolence leave, etc

Additional comments

(1) Submitted documents will not be returned. Personal information is handled carefully according to the Privacy Policy of the University of Tokyo, and will be used only for the job selection process.
(2) Travel cost will not be paid in screening process.
(3) For details on work conditions, please see the University of Tokyo Regulations on Conditions of Employment of Fixed-term Project Academic and Administrative Staff.
https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/about/rules_main.html
(4) The University of Tokyo promotes gender equality and actively encourages women to apply.
(5) If you are personally in contract with foreign governmental bodies, corporations or universities, or you are in receipt of a large benefit (financial or any other form) from foreign governmental bodies during the period of your employment, the provisions of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA) may prohibit or restrict the sharing of technology that are designated as controlled technology possibly making it difficult for you to fulfill your duties as an academic or administrative staff of the university as a result. Therefore, in such cases it is necessary to keep such contracts/benefits within the scope where it does not hinder the sharing of technologies necessary for your duties by the university.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

The University of Tokyo

Country

Japan

City

Tokyo

Geofield

Contact

City

Tokyo

STATUS: EXPIRED

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