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