Seeking a few Research Scientists (26-437)

Laboratory

Computational Structural Biology Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Team Principal: Florence Tama)

Outline of Laboratory

The RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), led by Center Director Satoshi Matsuoka, are threefold, centered around supercomputing: one is to target high performance computation itself as a scientific objective, or namely, the "Science of Computing"; another is to apply the enormous computational power thus obtained to solve difficult scientific problems, or namely the "Science by Computing"; finally, to collaborate with other scientific disciplines that contribute to advances in both sciences, or namely, the "Science for Computing." Our goal is to be recognized as one of the global leadership research centers to advance high-end computational science in this regard. The Computational Structural Biology Research Team is recruiting research employees to carry out a new theme. The research overview of the laboratory is shown below.

The Computational Structural Biology Research Team aims to advance our understanding of biological processes by investigating the structure and dynamics of biomolecules. Our interdisciplinary research is focused on algorithms development, leveraging high-performance computing, to explore biomolecules via integrative modeling of experimental data (cryo-electron microscopy, electron tomography, atomic force microscopy, small angle scattering and x-ray free-electron laser). Moreover, we aim fostering collaborations with experimental groups to investigate specific biological functions.

Job title and job descriptions

Job title

Research Scientist: a few positions

Position-specific tasks are as follows:
Research Scientist: Conduct research projects and other activities in corresponding laboratories.

Job description

We are seeking scientists who can engage in research and development of computational methods, specifically algorithms and software that integrate HPC with experimental data (time-resolved, imaging, scattering) to analyze the dynamics of biomolecules with possible collaborative applications with experimental research groups to investigate biologically relevant molecules.

We are now recruiting a person who will work for our COE project under “FOCUS for Establishing Supercomputing Center of Excellence”. The name of the research project is Integrating High-Performance Computing and Experimental Data for Advanced Dynamic Structural Biology.

The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualifications

A person who is able to dedicate themselves to the job by communicating, coordinating and collaborating smoothly with people in and out of the laboratory.
A PhD holder in the area related to the Job description.

Work location

RIKEN Kobe Campus-East-West
6-7-1 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, JAPAN (Integrated Innovation Building)

RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, but not beyond the end of March, 2030.
2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, workload at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 70 years.

RIKEN has indefinite-term positions. Any scientists, including fixed-term employees who have been hired through this open call, are eligible to apply to open calls for indefinite-term positions.

In principle, the first two months of employment are considered a trial period.

Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of salary at the time of hiring:: The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 536,065 JPY or more.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.

This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (caring for a sick child, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment).
There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

The Kobe Campus has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe. For details, please send an email to kobe-kosei@ml.riken.jp.

RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity, and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.

*Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

Application and required documents

Required documents

Please prepare the following documents in English. Only the letter of recommendation may be either in English or in Japanese.

1.CV or CV
- *Email address, Application Number[26-437] and position to apply (e.g. : Research Scientist) are required.
- *Format is free. Or the format attached is available.
2.List of research achievements (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
Include not only peer-reviewed papers but also a list of patents, a list of invited lectures. Also include quantitative measures for evaluation such as the Google Scholar citation index, whenever possible.
3.Copies of up to five most important publications (Please mark the papers on the list of publications.)
When the original publications are not in PDF format, scan the papers and save them as PDF documents prior to submission.
4.List of competitive funds acquired, awards received, and other achievements including, contributions to university/institution operations, contribution to society through activities in academic societies, joint research projects, technology transfers, etc.
5.Description of previous research development, future research development plans, and career goals: No format specified, approximately three to four A4 pages in total. It is desirable that a diagram describing the research development is provided.
6.At least one letter of recommendation from a person who can evaluate your work
- *In principle, the letter of recommendation should be from the applicant’s current supervisor. When it is difficult to do so, a letter of recommendation written by a third party may be accepted.
  If your current affiliation is the laboratory you apply for, the referee should be a person who does not belong to the laboratory you apply for including the supervisor.
- *The letter of recommendation must be sent directly by the referees.
- *The letter of recommendation should be addressed to R-CCS Director. Digital signature image can be embedded in the letter of recommendation within the PDF file. Or please specify the referee’s contact
7.Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the UK General Data Protection Regulation)
Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:

How to apply

Combine the above documents except the letter of recommendation into a single PDF file and upload them to the following link:
Applications for R-CCS Computational Structural Biology Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “26-437, R-CCS Computational Structural Biology Research Team” and the applicant’s name.
Please write the job ad number and the name of the position that you apply for if there is an “Add additional information” box on the website.
After you uploaded the PDF file, please let us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
When you send us an email, please write your name, Job Ad number and the name of the position that you apply for.

The letter of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the link mentioned above with the subject line "Letter of recommendation for [applicant’s name], [name of the position], R-CCS Computational Structural Biology Research Team”. Please tell them to email us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) that they have uploaded the PDF file and to specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the body of the email.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs@riken.jp.

Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Handling Personal Data

Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening at RIKEN. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

Selection process

Selection will be made based on application screening and interview. After documents screening, only successful applicants will be invited for interview (2 interviews for Research Scientist position). No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Notification of hiring decision

The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

Start of Employment

October 1, 2026 or later

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this open position, please contact below by email:
Research Personnel Affairs Section, Human Resources Strategy Division, Human Resources Group, RIKEN
Email: kobe-jobs@riken.jp

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Team Principal by email:
Florence Tama
Computational Structural Biology Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: florence.tama@riken.jp