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Seeking a Research Scientist (Indefinite-term) (26-837)

Laboratory

Solid State Chemistry Laboratory
RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
(Chief Scientist: Genki Kobayashi)

Outline of Laboratory

We work on the development of inorganic functional materials and novel electrochemical devices. Specifically, we aim to create outstanding ionics materials, including electrodes, solid electrolytes, and catalysts, and to develop energy storage/conversion and material conversion devices based on new operating principles.

Job title and job description

Job title

Research Scientist : 1 position

Note: We are seeking individuals at the level of full-time university Assistant Professor to Associate Professor or Full-Time Lecturer for this open position.

Job description

We are seeking highly motivated scientists to conduct research on ionics materials for the development of new electrochemical devices. The successful candidate will conduct original experimental research related to the topics mentioned above based on their expertise in solid-state chemistry and/or electrochemistry. Applicants with expertise in related fields, including condensed matter physics, catalytic chemistry, and device engineering, are also encouraged to apply if they have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research integrating these fields with solid-state chemistry and electrochemistry. The candidate is expected to conduct research and development on topics specific to the laboratory and support laboratory management to contribute to the overall skill enhancement of the laboratory. This role also requires supervision of technical staff, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students on a wide range of laboratory activities.

Qualifications

Doctoral degree (or equivalent research ability and background) in the relevant research field

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.
Potential sites of relocation: Any campus, branch, or office as ordered by RIKEN.

Salary and benefits

This post is an indefinite-term employment position. Mandatory retirement age for FY 2025 and FY 2026 is 62 years old.
Note: RIKEN has been increasing the mandatory retirement age by one year every two years from FY 2023.

There is a Special Temporary Employment Program that allows employees to be rehired and continue working until age 65.
As an exception, depending on screening results, the successful candidate may be initially employed on a fixed-term employment contract up to a maximum of 5 years with the possibility of being promoted to indefinite-term employment after a separate review process that will take place, as a general rule, at the end of the first 3 years of employment. Remuneration and work conditions for fixed-term employment are based on the same conditions as those for indefinite-term employment.

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 employment:
The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 640,000 JPY or more.
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 680,000JPY.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the telecommuting system is not available for this position, in principle.

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 Saturdays and Sundays, 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).

RIKEN may require changes of responsibilities, job category, and work place based on RIKEN regulations due to management decisions, budgetary situation, and organizational restructuring.

  • *Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).
  • *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.
  • *The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to kids@riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

All the application documents should be prepared in English. (Only letters of recommendation may be either in English or in Japanese)

  • 1.Complete CV or CV (Please include your contact email address.)
  • 2.List of research achievement and publications (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
  • 3.Lists of external funds received, awards received, and other achievements including contribution to society through activities in scientific societies, joint research projects, technology transfers, and the like.
  • 4.Outlines of your research and development projects to date (3 pages, A4 size)
  • 5.Your future research and development plans and perspectives if you are accepted for the position (3 pages in A4 size in total)
  • 6.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.:
  • 7.One set of copies of your major papers (maximum number: 5)
  • 8.2 letters of recommendation
    • -One letter must be from your current supervisor or academic adviser (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable).
    • -Another letter must be from a person who is not affiliated with RIKEN.

    How to apply

    The above documents (items 1 through 6), except the letters of recommendation, should be combined into a single PDF file and uploaded to the following link (Document 7 should be submitted as a separate PDF file):

    RIKEN/PRI file upload box

    PDF file name:
    26-837_Applicant’s name.pdf
    26-837_Major Publication_Appicant’s name.pdf

    After you upload the file, please notify the file name to the email address at contact information below.

    About letters of recommendation

    Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the above link with file name, “26-837_[applicant’s name] (Letters of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, and the referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
    Please let us know the file name of the uploaded file after the referees upload the letter of recommendation. The contact information is below.
    If none of your current supervisors or academic advisors can prepare a letter of recommendation, a letter from a third person will be accepted.

    There is no set format for the letters of recommendation, but they must meet the following conditions: they must be addressed to the President of RIKEN, Makoto Gonokami, and include the date of issue. Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address).

    If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact the contact information below.

    Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

    Deadline

    August 31, 2026 (noon, Japan time)

    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

    After application documents are screened, only the successful candidates will be asked to have an interview. There will be second, and final interview with RIKEN executives as part of the hiring process.

    Notification of hiring decision

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

    Start of Employment

    RIKEN expects that the successful candidate will be able to take up this position at the earliest opportunity after April 1, 2027.
    Other conditions at the time of appointment will be negotiable.

    Contact Information

    For inquiries concerning the research

    RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
    Solid State Chemistry Laboratory
    Dr. Genki Kobayashi (Chief Scientist)
    Email: genki.kobayashi@riken.jp

    For other inquiries

    Pioneering Science Promotion Division
    Email: pri_j1@ml.riken.jp

    Note: No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

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