RIKEN Research Engineer Fellowship

Overview

Through initiatives such as TRIP (Transformative Research Innovation Platform of RIKEN platforms) and AI for Science, RIKEN is utilizing information technology in a wide range of fields to advance and accelerate research. Rapid technological innovations such as generative AI and agentic AI are significantly changing the way scientific research is conducted. In the future, the ability to fully utilize mathematical, computational science, and information technology skills will be essential for maintaining and strengthening research competitiveness in many fields.

In light of this, and to strengthen the research capabilities of RIKEN and academia in Japan as a whole, RIKEN is calling for applications for RIKEN Research Engineer Fellows: junior research personnel who aim to become research engineers and collaborate with researchers to drive leading scientific research. Applicants should have research experience in fields promoted by RIKEN and advanced skills in mathematical science, computational science, and/or information technology.

In RIKEN’s innovative research environment, Fellows will gain practical experience in handling research data and utilizing AI for research. They will also cultivate an understanding of advanced information technologies and the mathematical background of data analysis. It is anticipated that in the future, Fellows will broadly contribute to the development of science and technology in academia and industry, both in Japan and overseas.

Job description

With the Research Engineer Enablement Office of the RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters as their main affiliation, and a host laboratory as their concurrent affiliation, RIKEN Research Engineer Fellows will leverage their research experience and skills in mathematical science, computational science, and information technology to promote groundbreaking scientific research in collaboration with researchers at the host laboratory. In addition, as part of their duties in the Research Engineer Enablement Office, opportunities will be provided to support Fellows in improving their mathematical, computational science, and information technology skills, and acquiring knowledge to ensure security in the use of AI for research. After being hired, Fellows will initially engage in work at the host laboratory requested at the time of application, but as a general rule, Fellows are expected to work in multiple laboratories during their employment contract period.

Qualifications

Applicants must fulfill the following conditions:

1. In principle, applicants must have received their doctorate (PhD) on or after January 1, 2016. (Those expecting to receive a doctorate may also apply; however, the doctorate must be awarded by the date of hire.) Note: Those with doctorates acquired on or prior to December 31, 2015, may also apply if there was a lapse in their research activities after obtaining the doctorate (due to reasons such as maternity leave, childcare leave, or working in a non-research capacity) if subtracting this lapse would result in an equivalent period of time. If applicable, please indicate the details of the reason for the lapse, as well as the duration of the lapse, in the application. RIKEN will consider the application and the reason for the lapse following the application deadline.
2. Applicants must possess the mathematical, computational science, and/or information technology skills required by the host laboratory.
3. Applicants must have an interest in acquiring the mathematical knowledge and the mathematical science knowledge necessary for evaluating and interpreting results produced by AI.
4. Applicants must have the motivation to contribute as a Research Engineer Fellow to research led by RIKEN researchers.
5. Applicants must be able to start work between April 1, 2027 and January 1, 2028. Note: We also accept applicants on secondment from private companies. However, during their term, applicants are generally expected to focus exclusively on Fellow duties.

Work location

The work location for the primary affiliation is RIKEN’s Wako Campus, and the work location for the concurrent affiliation (the host laboratory) is one of the following:

• RIKEN Wako Campus (Wako, Saitama)
• RIKEN Tsukuba Campus (Tsukuba, Ibaraki)
• RIKEN Tokyo Campus (Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
• RIKEN Yokohama Campus (Yokohama, Kanagawa)
• RIKEN Kobe Campus (Kobe, Hyogo)
• RIKEN Harima Campus (Harima Science Garden City)

In accordance with regulations, if necessary for operational reasons, RIKEN may order employees to change work locations.

Contract terms, salary, and benefits

1. Fellows will sign a single-year contract as a fixed-term employee. This contract is renewable based on evaluation, for a maximum term of 3 years from the date of hire.
2. The period for which a contract may be renewed is subject to change depending on the employee’s abilities, workload at the time of contract expiration, performance, attitude, the continuation of the center/laboratory or project to which the Fellow belongs, and RIKEN’s operational and/or budgetary situation.

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

Salary is determined annually based on experience, ability, and performance, and consists of a fixed salary and a variable salary. The variable salary is determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance.

Discretionary work allowance, commuting allowance, and housing allowance are provided. Fellows are also eligible for social insurance (health insurance).

Estimated salary at the time of hire: The total of the monthly annual salary and the monthly discretionary work allowance at the time of hiring will be 550,000 yen or more. However, if this is lower than the compensation provided at the employee’s previous position, the amount may be adjusted as appropriate by holistically evaluating the cost of living at the previous location as well as the applicant’s knowledge, expertise, and achievements.

A research budget (activity fund) of up to 1,000,000 yen per year (and a maximum of 3,000,000 yen over 3 years) is provided. However, this budget may only be used for expenses that contribute to a) the execution of duties for the employee’s main affiliation and/or b) the improvement of the employee’s skills related to the duties of the main or concurrent affiliation. Applicable expenses may include the purchase of consumables, travel expenses, participation fees for conferences/training sessions, and more.

If joining or leaving RIKEN in the middle of a fiscal year, the allocated amount for the first and final fiscal year of employment is allocated proportionately depending on the month the employee joins/leaves RIKEN.

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

This position falls under the discretionary work system for specialized work. One working day is calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Holidays include Saturdays and Sundays, Japanese national holidays, the New Year’s holidays (December 29 to January 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.

Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days depending on the month of hire), special paid leave (childcare, family nursing care, etc.), and work-life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of hire).

Other types of leave are also available, such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.

Smoking is prohibited on RIKEN campuses.

Other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

Fellows are automatically enrolled in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai), which arranges special employee perks and events.

Fellows are also eligible to apply for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI).

RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity and moving to create a more 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.

It is possible for employees who take childbirth leave, childcare leave at birth, childcare leave, or additional leave for childcare during the contracted period to have their contract period extended.

Application procedures

From the list of host laboratories in the table linked here, select the laboratory where you wish to be hosted and contact them to confirm whether they can host a FY 2027 RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow. Once you have confirmed that the prospective host laboratory is willing to host a Fellow, please engage in thorough discussions with the laboratory head to determine the specific details of the work you will carry out at the laboratory if hired.

A. Documents to be submitted by the applicant

1. Curriculum vitae / Curriculum vitae
2. Summary of major achievements (Free format, maximum 1 page. Please also describe your research experience in the research field specified by the prospective host laboratory, and any applicable mathematical, computational science, and/or information technology skills that are required by the prospective host laboratory.)
3. List of research achievements (Free format. Please also describe your main achievements which utilized your mathematical, computational science, and/or information technology skills.)
4. Description of the specific details of the work you will carry out at the prospective host laboratory if hired (Free format, maximum 4 pages. Please describe the contents in accordance with the RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow program.)
5. Career development plans and future career aspirations (Free format, maximum 2 pages)
6. Reprints of no more than 3 representative papers
7. Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy)

B. Letters of reference to be submitted directly by references

1. Letters of reference from 2 individuals who are qualified to evaluate your achievements.
2. Letters of reference must be submitted directly by the references, not via the applicant.
3. One of the letters should be from a current supervisor. If this is not possible, both letters may be provided by other individuals who are qualified to evaluate your achievements.
4. References must not be relatives, individuals with whom you have a joint research or technology transfer relationship, or individuals with whom you have an economic conflict of interest.

Application and more details: https://www.riken.jp/en/careers/programs/ref/ref2027/index.html