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Job Opportunity

For graduate school students

If you wish to study in our department, you may be paid as a research assistant.Please contact us for more information.

Post doctoral positions:
We are currently seeking highly motivated post-doctoral fellows wishing to work on a project designed to elucidate the neural mechanism underlying volitional hand and arm movement in non-human primates. Our ongoing work focuses on the sensorimotor integration at the subcortical level including spinal cord and brainstem. Cortical (corticospinal) modulation of their mode of integration is also investigated. A variety of approach to dissect subcortical neuronal circuitry has been established in our lab. The successful candidates will be encouraged to apply these techniques and engage in the independent project for three or more years (depending on their performance).

We are looking for dedicated and talented individuals with;

1.Ph.D in neuroscience, psychology, biology, or other related disciplines with one or more publication in peer-reviewed journals.
2.Proficiency in either electrophysiology, optogenetics, or neuroanatomical analysis.
3.Proficiency in programming (e.g. MATLAB).
4.Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Interested applicants should submit 1) a cover letter indicating current and future research interests, 2) curriculum vitae including three referees, and 3) reprints of first author peer-reviewed publications to recruit-dnp@ncnp.go.jp

Inquiry: Dr. Kazuhiko Seki, Director, Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502 JAPAN, Tel: +81-42-346-1724, Fax: +81-42-346-1754, Email: seki[AT]ncnp.go.jp (Please change [AT] to @.)

Q&A

  • Q1
    What does the research for development of animal models mean ?

    Since a long time ago, invention of the animal models for neurological and psychiatric diseases has been a challenge for our department. Currently, our research field is not limited to development of animal models but also we have been developing our research in diverse directions. We now mainly focus on the project for elucidating the mechanism of sensory-motor transformation at a cellular level by using the primates as a model.

  • Q2
    Is it possible to acquire a Ph.D while doing a research at NCNP ?

    Our institute has established partnerships with some universities which enables the student researchers of NCNP to obtain a degree at those universities. If you are interested in, please contact us.

  • Q3
    Can I participate in a research at NCNP as a postdoctoral fellow ?

    It depends on our budget or state of progress of our projects. Basically we use this website to recruit new members, however those who want to join our laboratory, please contact Director Seki. Especially those who are planning to apply for a Research Fellowship for Young Science of JSPS are welcome.

  • Q4
    Is it possible for researchers in a different field/university students to join in a research group at NCNP?

    It is possible for you to get a post as a researcher or an apprentice researcher other than the partnership with universities above mentioned even if you are not familiar with our research.

    Motion contorol is the truly interdisciplinary research area. In many cases, research collaboration is needed among other areas such as physiology, biology, medical science, engineering and so on. Thus, the researchers in different fields are very welcome to our laboratory.

    In some cases, you may be paid as a research assistant.

  • Q5

    I have no research experience with nonhuman primates. Can I participate in this kind of research?

    You will start by working with experienced staff, so there is no problem.

     

  • Q6
    What is the Motor Control research society which is linked to this homepage?

    This is an interdisciplinary study group with a secretariat in our laboratory. More than 200 researchers belong to it, and various activities such as annual conventions and tutorial seminars are carried out. Those who are interested are recommended to join.

  • Q7
    How do we deal with experimental animals ?

    Currently, there is no other way to clarify mental function at the cellular level than using laboratory animals. In addition, in order to investigate highly developed functions in humans and primates such as hand movements, research on monkeys, which are closely related to humans, is required.Rigorously following the principles of the “3Rs”, we carry out research with the utmost respect for our experimental animals.