As of July 17, 2024

Target

Q: What are the target fields of the program? Do you accept applicants to conduct research in the field of humanities or social sciences?

A: The target research fields include all natural sciences (including mathematical science, information science, etc.), as well as the boundary areas between the humanities and social sciences. Researchers in the fields of humanities or social sciences are welcome to apply for the program.

Q: How many people will be hired?

A: The total number of hires is undecided and will depend on the qualifications of the candidates. Successful applicants will be chosen from an overall perspective, based on the results of their review.

Application eligibility

Q: Are there any age restrictions?

A: Although the program is targeted to junior researchers with no or limited PI experience, there is no age limit and no restriction on the number of years since obtaining the PhD.

Q: Does this year’s call (FY 2024) only consider woman applicants?

A: It is intended for women in the sense that this is an open call under the Sechi Kato Program, but next fiscal year (FY 2025) there will be another call open for all genders. We will continue to take measures to realize diversity.

Q: Will I be able to re-apply after a previous rejection?

A: Yes.

Q: I live overseas, will I be able to apply?

A: Yes, but work location must be at a RIKEN’s campus in Japan. In addition, remote work while living overseas is not available.

Q: Currently I am affiliated with RIKEN as a fixed-term employee, and can I apply for the call? If I get a position with the ECL program, my total service period with RIKEN as fixed-term employee will exceed 10 years during the ECL program service period. In such a case, what happens if I request to change my status to indefinite-term employee?

A: Yes, you can. If you obtain the right to change your status to indefinite-term employee during the ECL program period and use the right, you will be able to change your status to indefinite-term employee. In that case, after your service period of the ECL program ends, you will be hired as indefinite-term Research Scientist based on RIKEN regulations.

Q: After I have been hired, may I also work at another organization?

A: In principle, RIKEN full-time, but please contact us if you would like to make cross-appointments, etc. In cases where you obtain approval for side work through the necessary process, you may do so. Side work refers to any work other than RIKEN work, such as running your own business or carrying out work for another organization. Examples of side work include lecturing at universities as a visiting lecturer or professor, working as an employee or executive of a RIKEN venture company, serving as a committee member, and speaking at a conference when it is not part of your RIKEN duties.

Research budget

Q: How is the amount of budget decided?

A: Research budget will be decided based on the progress of your research plan. It is possible to apply for more or less than the average budget in each fiscal year. We will provide flexible budget support depending on the situation.

Q: What should be included in the research budget?

A. Please include personnel expenses for lab staff, equipment, etc., in your budget plan, but not your own salary. Depending on the field and research project, there may be a large initial cost when the lab is set up. If so, please indicate that expense in your application documents, as it is possible to provide initial costs in addition to the research budget.

Q: Approximately how much are personnel costs for staff at RIKEN? Typically, the expenses needed for hiring the staff would be higher than the total salary paid to them, but what is the specific cost to be included in the total calculation?

A: Please estimate personnel costs for staff by calculating 1.3 times the salary amount, including social insurance.
Salary for fixed-term research staff at RIKEN is an annual salary, and consists of a base salary and a variable salary. For example, as of April 1, 2024, the monthly base salary of Research Scientists is 361,000 JPY, and that of Postdoctoral Researchers is 305,100 JPY. The monthly annual salary is the sum of the monthly base salary and the variable salary (determined each year) based on experience, ability, and performance, though the monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.
Please refer to the salary estimates listed on the open calls on RIKEN’s Job Openings page.

Q: If I am hired, would there be a restriction on applying for competitive funds?

A: Depending on the conditions of application for competitive funding, you may apply without any restrictions.

Allowances and other benefits

Q: Are end-of-term bonus, commuting allowance, and housing allowance provided?

A: Commuting allowance and housing allowance will be provided. However, bonuses such as end-of-term bonuses will not be provided to these positions, to which the annual salary system applies.

Q: Are relocation expenses provided?

A: Yes, they will be provided in accordance with RIKEN’s regulations.

Q: Would I be entitled to childcare leave? Also, what happens to my term of employment if I take childcare leave?

A: You are entitled to childcare leave. You can add the period taken for childbirth or childcare leave to your term of employment.

Application methods

Q: Should the application and recommendation forms be written in English, or Japanese?

A: All application documents including recommendation letters should be prepared in English.

Q: Do I have to prepare my documents in black and white?

A: Documents may be in black and white or color.

Q: Can I apply for both Team Leader and Unit Leader positions in the RIKEN ECL program?

A: No, you cannot. Please select one of the positions to apply for. However, if it is determined during the selection process that the other position is more appropriate, you may be asked to make a presentation for the other position in the interview. For the details, see the section “Selection method.”

Q: Is it possible to apply for other positions within RIKEN, such as a Special Postdoctoral Researcher, in addition to applying for the RIKEN ECL Team / Unit Leader position?

A: Yes.

Q: Is there a format for research proposals and other application documents?

A: There is no format for the application and recommendation letters, as long as they are in PDF format. However, please prepare research proposal for preferred position and include initial expenses and required space(m2), budget estimate, equipment and facilities required for research, and staff members plan of the laboratory.

Q: How many centers can I select when applying for the RIKEN ECL Team / Unit Leader position?

A: Please select one center from the list where you wish to work and indicate it in the application registration. However, please understand that it may be suggested in the screening process that another center is more appropriate for conducting your research. For details, see the section ‘’Selection method’’.

Q: How many research fields can I select?

A: You can select up to two from the following research fields.
Research fields: Mathematical Sciences (including computer science, information science, artificial intelligence, etc.), Physics I (particle, nuclear, astrophysics, etc.), Physics II (condensed matter), Chemistry, Life Sciences, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences

Q: I found some mistakes in the proposal I uploaded. Is it possible to amend it?

A: As long as it is before the deadline, you may amend it and upload the amended proposal. In that case, your previously uploaded proposal will be deleted.

Q: I found mistakes in the basic information that I registered for the RIKEN ECL Team / Unit Leader. Is it possible to make amendments?

A: Yes, it is possible to make amendments before the deadline.

Q: What is GDPR?

A: You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
Data protection | European Commission
And you will find detailed information about Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK GDPR) on the following website:
Data Protection and the EU | Information Commissioner’s Office

Q: I would like to know how to submit recommendation letters.

A: References should send the recommendation letter directly to RIKEN. A request for a recommendation letter will be automatically sent to the email addresses for references that you list when you register to apply. Please check that your references have received the email request automatically sent from ecl-program [at] spdr-fpr.com. You can also check on the status of your recommendation letters through the online application system.

Q: Is there a format for the recommendation letters?

A: There is no set format. But they must meet the following conditions:

• PDF format
• Include the date of issue
• Bearing the signature and/or seal of the person writing the letter
• Written in English
• Addressed to “Dr. Makoto Gonokami, President of RIKEN”

Q: Who should I ask for recommendation letters?

A: Please request three people who can evaluate your research achievements. Please limit the number of references to no more than one person who has a position at RIKEN (including visiting scientists).

Application deadline

Q: Is the application deadline Japan time?

A: Yes, it is Japan time.

Selection method

Q: What is the selection process?

A: In principle, the first screening (application screening and interview) for both positions will be conducted at the center where you wish to work. In the first screening process, if it is suggested that another center is more appropriate for your research, that center may conduct the first screening instead of the one you requested. After application document screening is completed, only the successful candidates will be asked to have an interview with the center. Please note that if, during the screening process, it is determined that the other position is more suitable for you, you may be asked to make a presentation for the other position in the interview. Applicants who pass the first screening will move on to the final interview with the ECL Program Selection Committee, which includes external committee members. Individuals who have passed the final interview will be officially announced after the necessary procedures are complete.

Q: When will I be notified of the first screening results?

A: First screening results will be notified in January 2025.

Q: When will the interviews be held?

A: At this point, the schedule for the first interview has not yet been determined but will be held between late October and mid-December, 2024. Final interviews will be held on February 14, 26 or March 14, 2025.

Q: Will travel expenses for the interview screening be paid?

A: Yes, travel expenses for interviews borne by applicants are reimbursed according to RIKEN regulations.

Q: What are the screening criteria?

A: The screening criteria include whether the applicant’s research proposal has academic and social importance, is unique and innovative, and has feasibility (i.e., validity of research methods and plan, candidate’s past achievements and results of research), and whether the applicant has the ambition and ability to manage their laboratory staff and promote research activities as a PI.

Q: When evaluating the applicant’s research ability and research experience in the screening, does an applicant who has published more research papers have an advantage over others? Specifically, which criteria are highly evaluated?

A: In the screening, you will not be evaluated based on only the number of your research papers. Your overall qualifications will also be reviewed from the perspective of your research proposal’s academic importance and societal relevance, and your ability to carry out the proposed research.

Q: What are the criteria for selecting Team Leaders and Unit Leaders for the RIKEN ECL program?

A: Team Leaders and Unit Leaders are both PIs, but the budget size and laboratory size are different. Team Leaders are expected to have a larger budget and space than Unit Leaders, so the lab scale (number of staff, equipment, etc.) is expected to be larger. The appropriate position will be determined comprehensively based on the applicant's career stage as a researcher (no specific number of years after obtaining a doctoral degree, etc.), the content and scale of the research plan, and other factors.

Career

Q: What careers are possible for ECL Team / Unit Leaders after their term of service?

A: Various career paths are possible for both Team Leaders and Unit Leaders. ECL Team / Unit Leaders who are promoted to universities or other institutes receive as much support as possible, including research budget to continue developing their research without interruption, while maintaining their collaboration with RIKEN. And, in principle, both Team Leaders and Unit Leaders may apply for screening for indefinite-term PI positions in their fifth year at RIKEN (please note that the salary and other benefits of the indefinite-term PI position is different from that under the RIKEN ECL program). Furthermore, Unit Leaders may apply for review for promotion to RIKEN ECL Research Team Leader. In these career reviews within RIKEN, major changes in research plan from the time of hiring through the ECL program will not significantly affect the evaluation of the researcher. They do not matter as long as successful research outcomes are achieved.

Q: In the "Careers" section of the call for applications, it says, "In principle, the ECL Team / Unit Leaders will have an opportunity to apply to undergo screening for indefinite-term PI positions in the fifth year of their service after appointment.”. What are the criteria for the review for the indefinite-term PI position?

A: The review process for indefinite-term PI position under the ECL program will be conducted in a comprehensive manner based on the following three criteria.
First, the applicant's knowledge and research, at the level of their position and career development, must be first rank among PIs in the same field worldwide, or they must have achieved or be expected to achieve notable results (e.g., results with academic or social impact that could rewrite textbooks, results based on one-of- a-kind technology, etc.).
Second, the research project that the applicant intends to develop in the future must be on an important subject that should be tackled in the long term as a science and be expected to produce significant outcomes through continued development at RIKEN.
Third, whether the applicant has the potential to become a core member of the community in their research field with a strong influence, including the training of future generations.