1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Job Openings

Seeking a Team Director (25-1128)

Laboratory

Laboratory for Intracellular Dynamic Structure of Molecules (tentative) and NMR Operation Team,
Advanced Multi-Omics Technology Division,
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (working for 2 teams)
(Center Director：Masayuki Amagai)

Research Field and Overview

-Laboratory for Intracellular Dynamic Structure of Molecules (tentative)
The dynamic properties of proteins play an important role in their functional expression. Furthermore, through the formation of higher-order structures such as liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), they are deeply involved in the spatiotemporal control of cellular functions and the formation of pathological conditions. These biological phenomena depend on the unique cellular environment that cannot be fully captured by in vitro analysis, and direct observation under cellular conditions is essential to elucidate their true nature. Our research team integrates various intracellular structural analysis techniques, including NMR, cryo-electron microscopy, and computational science, to elucidate the dynamic structures and functional mechanisms of proteins at the atomic level within cells. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of biological phenomena and contribute to drug discovery.

-Advanced Multi-Omics Technology Division, NMR Operation Team
NMR Operation Team is responsible for managing and maintaining the NMR research infrastructure at RIKEN Yokohama campus, which is composed of multiple high-performance NMR instruments for solution and solid-state samples, including 900MHz systems, and for promoting its usage for research in both industry and academia. The infrastructure is utilized in the various scientific fields: structural biology, drug development and material sciences.

(Staff composition as of July 2025)

  • Research staff: 2
  • Technical staff: 4

(List of NMR devices as of July 2025: 13 in total)

  • 900MHz: 3
  • 800MHz: 2
  • 700MHz: 4
  • 600MHz: 3
  • 400MHz: 1

*For details, please refer to the following YNMR website (Japanese only).

Job title and Job description

Job title

Team Director: 1 position (working for 2 teams)

Job description

(Work at Laboratory for Intracellular Dynamic Structure of Molecules (tentative))

  • Team Director will contribute to the advancement of structural life sciences as a whole, with a focus on NMR.

(Work at NMR Operation Team)

  • Team Director has responsibility to operate the NMR facilities in IMS.

(Common tasks for both teams)

  • Team Director will oversee and smoothly manage the research team and NMR Operation Team.
  • Team Director provides accurate instructions, guidance, and advice to researchers and technical staff, etc. and promote research by the research team and NMR Operation Team at a high level.
  • Team Director will earn external research funding.

The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualification

  • PhD holder with the appropriate knowledge, experience and achievements to oversee and advance the research described under Research Field and Overview.
  • Ability to manage research teams and provide guidance to team members, and capabilities that will advance the laboratories’ research.
  • Experience managing and operating NMR equipment.

*In principle, this is a full-time RIKEN position, but candidates interested in a cross-appointment, etc. should contact us.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (Yokohama Campus)
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

  • 1.A 1 year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to a maximum of 7 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. Commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.
The approximate amount of salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary at the time of employment will be 744,300 JPY or more.

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

9:00 to 17:20 (lunch break 12:00 to 12:50). However, the 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 (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).

  • *Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).
  • *The Yokohama Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Yokohama. For details, please send an email at kids-yk-hr@ml.riken.jp
  • *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.

Application and required documents

Prepare the documents below in English (except for 6.) as PDF files and follow the instructions [How to Apply] to submit them:

  • 1.CV or CV with email address
    • *In the top right-hand corner of the CV, please indicate open-call 25-1128 and the desired position (Team Director).
    • *Using the RIKEN format above is appreciated.
  • 2.List of research achievement and publications ( primary publications, reviews, and books ), patent list, etc. in the past ten years, and competitive funding application plans / review status / selection results (e.g. Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research [KAKENHI]; indicate whether you are the primary investigator or a collaborator). Please include ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available.
  • 3.Major publications. [Up to five. Indicate the papers that will be submitted on the list of publications.]
  • 4-1.Research Plan at Laboratory for Intracellular Dynamic Structure of Molecules (tentative) (Up to five A4-size pages) including;
    • Abstract of your research plans and vision.
    • Specific description of your research plans - their significance, originality, novelty, and expected impact. Include a brief description of previous research and achievements that form the basis of your plans.
    • Research aspirations
  • 4-2.RIKEN NMR Facility Management Plan at NMR Operation Team (Up to two A4-size pages)
  • 5.One letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, as well as letters of recommendation from two researchers not affiliated with RIKEN.
    • *Letter of recommendation should be addressed to "President of RIKEN, Dr. Makoto Gonokami" and include the recommender's name, affiliation, position and email address.
    • *If it is difficult to obtain a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, a recommendation from a third party will be accepted.
  • 6.Certificate of graduation or copy of diploma for the highest degree obtained (photocopy acceptable).
  • 7.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

The above documents except the letters of recommendation should be converted to PDF and uploaded to the following link after these files are combined into a single ZIP file:
RIKEN/IMS Application Box
Zip file name: 25-1128_TD_Applicant's name
The file name of each PDF file: 25-1128_TD_Applicant's name_submitted document No.

Notes:

  • *When you upload your application documents by a ZIP file via BOX, please make sure to input your contact email address.
    Letters of recommendation by PDF must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link.
    RIKEN/IMS Submission Box
    The file name of the letter of recommendation: 25-1128_Applicant's name
  • *Letter of Recommendation should be addressed to "President of RIKEN, Dr. Makoto Gonokami" and include the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation. Also, the referees need to input own contact email address when they upload their letters of recommendation to the above link.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Noon October 22, 2025 (JST) (application to reach RIKEN by this date)

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 (November 6 and/or 10, 2025).
In addition, we will conduct interviews with executives during the recruitment 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 an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

Start of Employment

April 1, 2026 (negotiable)

Remarks

Any questions about this position should be sent to the appropriate email address provided in the "Contact Information" below.

Contact Information

For application documents and general questions:
Research Personnel Affairs Section, Human Resources Strategy Division, RIKEN Human Resources Group
Email: ims-recruit@riken.jp

For research-related questions:
RIKEN Life Science Research Promotion Division (responsible for Integrative Medical Sciences)
Email: ims-jinkenhi@riken.jp

Top