Laboratory

New Unit in Cross-Divisional Materials Research Program,
RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science

Outline of Laboratory

The Center for Emergent Matter Science (Center Director: Dr. Takahisa Arima) aims at exploring new directions in condensed matter science and at contributing, through fundamental research, towards the global challenge of realizing an environmentally benign, sustainable society. To be more specific, our mission is to solve energy issues by integrating the following three fields: (I) strong correlation physics which explores the principles of emergent phenomena in many-body systems, (II) supramolecular chemistry of functional nano-scale elements based on molecular design, and (III) quantum information electronics that advances the achievements of fundamental quantum science into applications.
This time, we are recruiting one Unit Leader in the Cross-Divisional Materials Research Program. The Unit Leader, a principal investigator, is expected to conduct experimental research in supramolecular chemistry in a broad sense. This includes [1] soft materials with peculiar structures and properties, and [2] molecular functional materials and properties.

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Unit Leader: 1position

Job description

In addition to conducting research as described in the above "Outline of Laboratory," the Unit Leader will perform the following tasks:

• Manage, conduct, and promote research activities as a principal investigator.
• Tasks related to operations of the Center (contributing to committees, events, outreach activities, etc.)

If there are no qualified applicants, the position may not be filled.
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualification

Applicants with an excellent track record in supramolecular chemistry in the broad sense, and sufficient ability to run a laboratory. No restrictions on nationality.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
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, to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 10 years of employment.
• 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.

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. The monthly base salary is 638,400 JPY as of April 1 2025. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

Commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary at the time of employment for a candidate with 6 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 780,000 JPY.

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

Work hours: 9:00 to 17:20 (lunch break 12:00 to 12:50) in principle. However, employee may change starting and ending times at their own discretion if it does not interfere with work performance.

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 (childcare, 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).

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003, and eligible applying 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

• 1.Complete CV or CV
  • *(RIKEN CV) * Write the RIKEN job ad number "25-718", indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
  • *(Original CV) *Write down in the notes section of your CV the number written next to the title of the job position (e.g. 25-718).
• 2.List of research achievements and publications (Mark 5 major publications with a circle ○)
  (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
• 3.Two letters of recommendation (including one from the current supervisor)
  • *Please specify the referee's contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
  • *Letters should be addressed to "Dr. Makoto Gonokami, President of RIKEN"
  • *If a letter from the current supervisor is unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.
• 4.PDF files of your major 5 publications listed in (2)
• 5.Outline of research achievements so far and research plan when hired (up to 5 sheets of A4 paper in total)
• 6.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
  • *If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, you are required to submit the document, " Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and 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 General Data Protection Regulation)" with your signature.
    • You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
      Data protection | European Commission
    • 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

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following link:

Required documents of CEMS Unit leader

The uploaded file name should contain your mail address.

After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (cems-jinji-yosan @riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the subject line " RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, Unit Leader[applicant's name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

Recommendation letters of CEMS Unit leader

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter , please let us (cems-jinji-yosan @riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: cems-jinji-yosan @riken.jp.

Note: Application documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Application must arrive by Friday, September 19, 2025(9:00 JST)

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 interviews.

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

January 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

Contact Information

Dr. Akira Furusaki, Deputy Director, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science

Email: furusaki @riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.