Laboratory / Division

Research Instruments Group
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
(Group Director: Nobuhisa Fukunishi)

Outline of Laboratory / Division

Research Instruments Group

The Research Instruments Group is the driving force at RI Beam Factory (RIBF) for continuous enhancement of the activities and competitiveness of experimental research. Consisting of five teams, we are in charge of the construction, operation, and improvement of the core research instruments at RIBF, such as the BigRIPS separator, ZeroDegree spectrometer, and SAMURAI spectrometer, and their related infrastructure and equipment. The group also conducts related experimental research as well as R&D studies on the research instruments.

BigRIPS Team

This team is in charge of the design, construction, development, and operation of the BigRIPS in-flight separator and its related research instruments such as the ZeroDegree spectrometer at RI Beam Factory (RIBF). They are employed not only for the production of RI beams but also for various kinds of experimental studies using RI beams.

Please visit the following webpage for more details:

• Research Instruments Group | RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
• BigRIPS Team | RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, Technical Scientist or Senior Technical Scientist: 1 position
The position at the time of hiring will be determined through the selection process.

Job description

The successful candidate will join the BigRIPS team and engage in the production and delivery of RI beams using the BigRIPS in-flight separator, the acquisition of fundamental data related to RI-beam production, experiments aimed at the discovery of new radioactive isotopes, and R&D to advance RI-beam production technologies. In this role, the candidate will also be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and further development of the existing 20-kW-class high-power primary-beam dump. In addition, the candidate is expected to take a leading role in the development of a new beam dump capable of safely absorbing the 100-kW-class uranium beam envisioned in the RIBF upgrade program. Contributions to other aspects of the operation and upgrading of BigRIPS are also highly desirable. Through these R&D activities, the candidate is expected to make significant contributions to both the operation of the current RIBF facility and the RIBF upgrade program as one of a core members responsible for the development and operation of key experimental systems.

Research Scientist and Technical Scientist are expected to conduct research and development on topics specified above and to contribute to the management of the laboratory. Senior Research Scientist and Senior Technical Scientist are also expected to assist the laboratory head.

Qualification

Doctoral degree (or equivalent research ability and background) in the relevant research field.
Research experience in the specific research and development described in the job description is not required. However, substantial experience in experiments using RI beams is expected, as it is considered essential for successfully conduct the duties of this position.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary, in accordance with RIKEN regulations.
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

Research Scientist / Technical Scientist

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 680,000 JPY.

Senior Research Scientist / Senior Technical Scientist

The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 670,000 JPY or more.
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 10 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 850,000 JPY.

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. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp.

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. 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
• 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 (3pages in A4 size in total)
• 6.One set of copies of your major papers (maximum number: 5)
• 7.2 letters of recommendation
  • -One letter must be from your current supervisor.
  • -Another letter must be from a person who is not affiliated with RIKEN.
• 8.Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy)
  Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
  • *Hiring Privacy Policy
  • *Privacy Policy

How to apply

The above documents, except the letters of recommendation, should be combined into a single ZIP file and uploaded to the following link:
Research Instruments Group, RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you upload the ZIP file, please let us (rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

About letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the subject line " Research Instruments Group, RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science [applicant’s name] (Letter of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, and the referee’s name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
Research Instruments Group, RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
After the referees upload the letter of recommendation, please let us (rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If it is difficult to obtain a letter of recommendation from your supervisor, a letter of recommendation from a third party is acceptable.

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: rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp.

Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

Deadline

October 5, 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 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 Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
Research Instruments Group
Group Director: Nobuhisa Fukunishi
Email: fukunisi@ribf.riken.jp

For other inquiries

Nishina Center Screening Working Group
Email: rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp
Please contact us by email.

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