Application is closed.
RIISE and R4D, the research and development organization of Mercari Inc., launched a joint research project “Value Exchange Engineering” to conduct extensive research on novel value exchange through rapid technological development.
At this time, we are looking to recruit research assistants (RAs) to work on themes that are consistent with the concept of value exchange engineering but are still at seedling stages, and to foster these themes to main research of value exchange engineering in the future.
If you are interested in applying, please read the application guidelines below and submit your application.
*1 This is an addition to the call for Sprouting Research RAs that was called in October 2020.
Forms
Application form (ECCS Cloud Email required)
Research Proposal form (ECCS Cloud Email required)
Application for Excellence（Only those who want to apply for Excellent RA / ECCS Cloud Email required）
◆Eligibility
Graduate students in the Graduate School of Engineering, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, GSII, Institute of Industrial Science, and Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Graduate School of Economics(*2) at the University of Tokyo.
(*2 The Graduate School of Economics plans to participate in RIISE from April 2021.)
About Research Assistants
– Excellent RA: Doctoral students of the Graduate School of Engineering or Master’s students of the Graduate School of Engineering. Additionally, Master’s students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, or be recognized as having high research ability by research outcomes that have been published externally.
– Research Assistant: Doctoral students
– Technical Assistant:Master’s students
◆What you are applying for
We are looking for RAs to work on sprouting research themes consistent with the concept of value exchange engineering.
In addition to research publications and conference presentations, the research also covers efforts towards practical outputs in value exchange engineering, such as applications and other product implementations.
◆Features of the Program
Accepted research proposals will be treated as part of the value exchange engineering research collaboration. Those who wish to do so may conduct their research while interacting with R4D members. You will also receive advice from the multidisciplinary faculty members involved in the RIISE project. (Monthly progress report)
Those in advanced stages in their research will be given the opportunity to discuss with researchers and board members of Mercari.
Application instructions
◆Research period
In principle, the period from adoption to the end of fiscal year 2022. (*3)
At the end of the research period, if the grantee wishes, additional support called the Acceleration Phase may be available for up to one year. Research topics that are expected to become even more significant with continued research support can be selected for the Acceleration Phase. Grantees must decide whether they wish to participate in the Acceleration Phase before the progress evaluation scheduled one year after the start of the initial research period. The maximum duration of the Acceleration Phase is one year from the day after the initial research period is completed.
The research theme of your application may be the theme of your master’s or doctoral thesis pending an agreement with your academic advisor.
(*3) The actual research period will be determined by careful review and approval of the submitted research plan.
◆Total budget
In principle, the budget for each research project is approximately 2 million yen (direct costs). The details of the budget are subject to review and approval of the research plan to be submitted.
The adopted research funds will be used as part of the joint research funds for value exchange engineering between RIISE and R4D. Please note that the use of the funds is subject to the financial accounting rules of the University of Tokyo.
Research expenses (direct costs) are expenses that are directly necessary for conducting research and can be used for the following purposes
a. Supplies: expenses for the purchase of new equipment, fixtures, supplies, etc.
b. Travel expenses: travel expenses for research staff and other research participants listed in the research protocol
c. Others: research results presentation costs (e.g., article submission fees), equipment leasing costs, transportation costs, etc.
The research plan should state the direct costs.
For your RA or Excellent RA preference, please review the RA treatment in the reference section and select your preference on the application form.
◆Number of research themes to be adopted
A maximum of five (5) applications. The number of accepted applications is subject to change depending on budget and other circumstances.
◆How to apply, schedule and selection
Application process
– Participate in an online briefing session (optional)
– Application form deadline: 17:00, Monday, March 1→17:00, Friday, March 5
– Application for Excellence（Only those who want to apply for Excellent RA) deadline: 17:00, Monday, March 1→17:00, Friday, March 5
Online Briefing Session (Participation is optional)– Date: February 9, 2021, 19:00~20:00 (zoom from here) (ECCS Cloud Email required)– Recorded video (ECCS cloud mail required)
– Presentation document & contact information (ECCS cloud mail required)
Notes on filling in the form
– Please include your affiliation, name, email address, research title and research summary in the application form.
– You must obtain consent from your affiliated laboratory before applying.
– Please indicate if you wish to receive advice from RIISE participating faculty members, persons in charge at R4D, or a department of Mercari. (optional)
– Please note that applicants for the Excellence RA have two submissions to make.
– Also, you may be selected as RA if you have been applying for the Excellent RA but have been unsuccessful. In this case, the secretariat will contact you during the selection process.
Selection
After reviewing the applications, the successful applicants will be selected through online interviews on March 15 or 16.
Selection criteria and method
After fulfilling the application requirements, online briefing sessions (optional) and other information will be delivered to help the students understand value exchange engineering and its objectives. The feasibility and expectations on the research results will be reviewed by the RIISE participating faculty members.
◆ Notes
Please be aware of the following requirements for application.
– If it is determined that a research proposal does not meet the requirements for application (e.g., the subject of the application) by the time it is adopted, the proposal will be rejected or not accepted, as a rule.
– If you are unable to meet the application requirements before your proposal is approved, your proposal will be rejected or not accepted, in principle. If the requirements are not met during the research period, the research theme will be terminated in whole or in part (early termination), as a rule.
– The adopted research theme will be treated as a part of the collaboration between RIISE and R4D. Therefore, the grantee is required to comply with the rules and guidelines of the University of Tokyo’s Office of Cooperative Research and Development.
Division of University Corporate Relations, The University of Tokyo,
https://www.ducr.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/
◆Reference: Labor cost treatment of RAs
There is a limit to the number of overlaps with JSPS Fellowship DCs and other fellowships. Please check with your graduate school for the overlap rules.
RA and Technical Assistant
Compensation: Master’s program: ¥150,000/month (standard), Doctoral program: ¥200,000/month (standard)
There is a limit to the number of overlaps with JSPS Fellowship DCs and other fellowships. Please check with your graduate school for the overlap rules.
Excellent RA – 1 person
Compensation: ¥200,000 per month for master’s course (standard), ¥280,000 per month for doctoral course (standard)
There is a limit to the number of overlaps with JSPS Fellowship DCs and other fellowships. Please check your graduate school’s rules regarding overlap with other fellowships.