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Seeking a Research Scientist (Indefinite-term) (25-974)

Laboratory

Molecular Design Computational Intelligence Unit
HPC- and AI-driven Drug Development Platform Division
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Unit Leader: Mitsunori Ikeguchi)

Research Field and Overview

The aim of Molecular Design Computational Intelligence Unit is to develop novel hybrid computational methods of molecular simulation and artificial intelligence for rational drug design. Combining artificial intelligence with molecular simulation will extend the applicability of in-silico drug design in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. In addition to the rational design of conventional small molecules, middle-sized and macro molecules are also the targets of newly developed computational methods.

Job title and job descriptions

Job title

Research Scientist: 1 person

Job description

This unit conducts research and development using AI and simulation to contribute to rational molecular design methods that can be used in drug discovery. To this end, the unit takes advantage of high-performance computing (especially “Fugaku”) and furthermore collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and academia in research and development. Based on this, the specific job description will focus on the theme of research and development of molecular design methods with a focus on antibodies and nucleic acids of a novel drug discovery modality. The envisioned contents include database construction for AI, AI construction, basic molecular simulation technology, large-scale molecular simulations, free energy calculations, and research on methods that integrate these technologies. In addition, the scope will include method development utilizing the “Fugaku NEXT”. The unit also provides guidance to university students (graduate students) accepted as trainees and intern graduate students, so this activity will also be conducted. Through the above activities, the Unit will also promote the advancement and dissemination of high-performance computing.
In addition to the execution of the above research and development tasks, the incumbent will also be responsible for various tasks in the assigned research unit and the RIKEN Center for Computational Science, and also promoting our research not only within our our unit, but also in collaboration with other research teams and researchers from domestic and international research institutes, universities, and companies.

Qualification

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

Work location

RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Yokohama Campus),
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
Work location will be arranged depending on the actual duty to be performed.

RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.
Potential sites of relocation: Any campus, branch, or office as ordered by RIKEN.

Conditions, Salary and Benefits

Type of employment

This post is an indefinite-term employment position. The 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 to hire individuals from age 60* to age 65.
This position does NOT offer a retirement allowance.
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, generally, 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.

Work conditions

Full time. This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Remuneration and other provisions

In principle, the first two months of employment is 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. Bonuses or retirement benefits will not be paid.
-Approximate salary at the time of employment
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 515,000 JPY.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home etc.

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 (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 workplace based on RIKEN regulations due to management decisions, budgetary situation, and organizational restructuring.

  • *Eligible to apply for 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 Yokohama Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Yokohama.
    For details, please send an email to the General Administrative Section at kids-yk-hr@ml.riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Application documents

Please prepare the following documents in English (Only recommendation letters may be either in English or in Japanese).

  • 1.CV or CV
    There is no format specified for the CV, but it must include the following information: name, nationality, date of birth, educational background and employment history, including current affiliation and address of affiliation, and the applicant’s email address to be used for contact information. The attached format is available for your convenience.
  • 2.Research and development achievements (list of publications, list of patents, list of presentations etc. including Researcher ID 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 resource/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.One set of copies of your major papers (maximum number: 5, For open access papers, links are also acceptable.)
  • 7.Recommendation letters from two persons who can evaluate your work
    • *One recommendation letter should be written by the applicant’s current supervisor. If this is difficult to provide, recommendation letters written by third parties may be accepted. However, if the applicant currently works for RIKEN, any recommendation letters should be written by persons do not belong to RIKEN.
    • *Both recommendation letters should not come from the same institution.
    • *There is no specified form for recommendation letters, but letters must be submitted directly by referees and meet the following conditions:
      • -Be in PDF format-
      • -Contain the date and the recommender’s seal or signature. A digital image of the seal or signature should be embedded in recommendation letters in PDF format. If not including a seal or signature, the recommender’s contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address) must be specified in the letter.
      • -Be addressed to President of RIKEN.
  • 8.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.

How to apply

  • -Combine the above documents except the recommendation letters into a single PDF file and upload the file to the following link:
    25-974 Applications for R-CCS Molecular Design Computational Intelligence Unit.
  • -The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number "25-974, R-CCS Molecular Design Computational Intelligence Unit" and the applicant's name.
  • -After uploading the PDF file, please email us (r-ccs-recruit@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. When you send us an email, please write your name, job ad. number and the name of the position that you are applying for.
  • -Prior to the deadline, applicants should contact their referees to confirm that they have uploaded their recommendation letters.
  • -Please make the email subject line: "[applicant’s name] 25-974 R-CCS Molecular Design Computational Intelligence Unit application documents"
  • -Recommendation letters must be directly uploaded from the referees to the website mentioned above with the subject line"[applicant’s name] recommendation letter for Research Scientist of Molecular Design Computational Intelligence Unit Application”. Please tell the referees to email us (r-ccs-recruit@ml.riken.jp) that they have uploaded the PDF file and to specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the body of the email.
    If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: r-ccs-recruit@ml.riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Friday September 5, 2025, 5:00PM (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 interviews 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

At the earliest opportunity after January 1, 2026 (negotiable)

Contact Information

For inquiries on research conducted by the Unit, please contact the Unit Leader by email below.
Dr. Mitsunori Ikeguchi
Molecular Design Computational Intelligence Unit of RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS)
Email: mitsunori.ikeguchi@riken.jp

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

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