Title: NSF/Tokyo Report: JST's Presto Program Recruiting Research Date: March 20, 1998 Replaces: None The National Science Foundation's offices in Tokyo and in Paris periodically report on developments abroad that are related to the Foundation's mission. These documents present facts for the use of NSF program managers and policy makers; they are not statements of NSF policy. Report Memorandum #98-05 March 13, 1998 JST'S PRESTO PROGRAM RECRUITING RESEARCHERS -- Deadline: April 30, 1998 -- INTRODUCTION The Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST), a quasi-governmental special corporation under the Science and Technology Agency, is currently inviting applications of individual researchers for support under their "Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO)" Program. To be eligible, researchers must either be Japanese citizens or be foreigners who are resident in Japan and whose fluency in Japanese is sufficient for interviews to be conducted in Japanese. There are no restrictions on a researcher's institutional affiliation or age, so long as they are in a position to carry out individual research for 3 years. TYPE OF SUPPORT PRESTO researchers participate based on full-time or part-time contracts signed with JST. For example, postdocs and researchers who leave their organizations would receive full- time contracts, while researchers who maintain affiliations with universities, government laboratories, or private companies could get part-time contracts. The research is carried out at suitable laboratory sites provided by JST, either in the researchers' own institutions, at research parks, or in other places. Over the 3 years of the project, each researcher will receive, on average, a total of 30 - 40 million yen to cover research expenditures. In addition, each researcher will receive salary in an amount to be decided based on individual's research experience and qualifications, within the range of from about 7 million yen to 8.4 million yen per year. Funds for research-related travels and for the rental of the research laboratory are also provided. Researchers are encouraged to actively present PRESTO research results at international and domestic conferences. Intellectual property that arises from PRESTO research is shared by the researchers and JST. RESEARCH AREAS This year, ten researchers will be selected for support in each of the four research areas: 1) Form and Function, 2) Structure and Transformation, 3) Unit Process and Combined Circuit, and 4) Information and Human Activity. JST appoints a "Research Mentor" and a panel of advisors for each research area. The Mentor, an experienced and highly respected researcher in the field, provides technical guidance. The Mentor, in collaboration with the panel, reviews proposals, conducts interviews and selects the researchers. - FORM AND FUNCTION Research Mentor: Dr. Kosaku Maruyama, President, Chiba University Research office: Shin-nihon Office Building, 5F, 1-18-9, Midoricho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan 263-0023 Phone: +81-43-245-2810, FAX: +81-43-245-2812. This group focuses on the significance of "form" and the process of its formation, and on the "function" of molecules interacting with each other, constructing a system, and adapting themselves to a new environment. Examples corresponding to the concept of this research are the molecular recognition and the construction of molecular assemblies, formation and function of higher assembly structures, as well as studies on parasitic, symbiotic, or mimetic systems for adaptation to the environment. - STRUCTURE AND TRANSFORMATION Research Mentor: Dr. Takao Koda, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University Research office: Kudan-Sibuki Building, 6F, 4-6-11, Kudan-minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074 Phone: +81-3-3264-9996, FAX: +81-3-5211-5442. In this area of research, studies will be made on the phase transition phenomena in a broad sense, namely the dynamics and the mechanisms in the processes where a stable ordered state of matter undergoes an atomic transition to a metastable state hidden behind the stable state. Research subjects include, for example, theoretical studies of structural transitions, experimental studies by means of new techniques such as nonlinear optical spectroscopy and so on, and investigations of new materials exhibiting photo-induced structural or spin-order transitions. - UNIT PROCESS AND COMBINED CIRCUIT Research Mentor: Dr. Yasuji Oshima, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Kansai University Research office: Senri Life Science Cener Building, 11F, 1-4-2, Shinsenri-higashimachi, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka 565-0082 Phone: +81-6-871-0099, FAX: +81-6-871-0093. The aim of research of this area is to explore comprehensive and dynamic cellular processes consisting of various steps. This project is to study biological systems for recognition and transmission of a biological signal, for modulation of a DNA-binding protein in a genetic regulatory system, for switching mitotic cells to meiosis, for transference of cellular material, for repair and regeneration, and for cellular differentiation and ontogenesis. - INFORMATION AND HUMAN ACTIVITY Research Mentor: Dr. Yuichiro Anzai, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University Research office: Kudan-Sibuki Building, 6F, 4-6-11, Kudan-minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0074 Phone: +81-3-3264-9996, FAX: +81-3-5211-5442. This group focuses on the design and development of new information systems that support human activity through exploring computer science and information technology, particularly advanced research on software. Subjects of this research area include the following topics: distributed processing, computer networks, architecture, management of intelligent information, multimedia, human interface, neurocomputing, computing models and algorithms. APPLICATION DEADLINE April 30, 1998 is the application deadline (i.e., applications must be postmarked by 4/30/98.) Successful applicants will be asked to start working as of October 1, 1998. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications must be submitted DIRECTLY to the "Research Office" of the appropriate Research Area, as noted above, using JST- prescribed application forms (in Japanese). Requests for copies of the application forms, as well as any questions concerning the PRESTO program applications may be directed to: PRESTO Office Japan Science and Technology Corporation Kawaguchi Center Building, 12F 1-8, Honcho 4-chome, Kawaguchi, Saitama-ken, Japan 332 Phone: +81-48-226-5641 (048-226-5641 if called from inside Japan); FAX: +81-48-226-2144 (048-226-2144, if called from inside Japan). E-mail: kaneko@jst.go.jp (or) tokoro@jst.go.jp Homepage URL: http://www.jst.go.jp/ INTERVIEWS FOR SCREENING Individuals selected on the basis of their written application materials will be invited for interviews for final screening. Interviews are tentatively scheduled as follows: "Form and Function" -- July 12 and 13, 1998 "Structure and Transformation" -- July 20 and 21, 1998 "Unit Process and Combined Circuit" -- July 15 and 16, 1998 "Information and Human Activity" -- July 13 and 14, 1998 BRIEFING MEETINGS JST has scheduled several "briefing meetings" to provide detailed information to potential individual applicants as follows: April 6, 1998 (Mon): 14:00 - 16:00 Japan Science and Technology Corporation Tokyo Headquarters (Basement Floor) Phone: Tokyo (03) 5214-8401 April 7, 1998 (Tue): 14:00 - 16:00 Gakujutsu Koryu Kaikan Bldg., 3rd Conf. room Hokkaido University Kita-8-jo, Nishi-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido Phone: Sapporo (011) 706-2141 April 8, 1998 (Wed): 14:00 - 16:00 2nd Conference Room Tsukuba Center for Institutes Science and Technology Agency 2-20-5 Takezono, Tsukuba City Phone: (0298) 51-1331 April 9, 1998 (Thu): 14:00 - 16:00 ACROS Fukuoka Bldg. Conference Room 607 1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Phone: Fukuoka (Hakata) 092-725-9113 April 13, 1998 (Mon): 14:00 - 16:00 Conference Room #402 Osaka Science and Technology Center 1-8-4 Utsubo-Honmachi, Nishi-ku, Osaka Phone: Osaka (06) 443-5324