Laboratory

New team (develops and advances technologies for ultrastructural observation and provides technical support),
RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research

Research Field and Overview

RIKEN's research is based on comprehensiveness and interdisciplinarity, and with free thinking as its basic philosophy, RIKEN promotes research that goes beyond the boundaries of conventional research fields, while at the same time responding to the needs of society from a strategic perspective.

The RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) promotes research that interprets the life course of living systems as a continuous sequence of multilayered biological phenomena, from conception and birth of life to aging and death. Our center strives to comprehensively understand and control these multilayered biological phenomena and the life course of living systems to uncover new insights that can contribute to extending healthy lifespans. To achieve this goal, we employ an integrative approach that leverages technologies and methodologies such as stem cells, organoids, molecular biology, structural biology, synthetic biology, diverse animal models, multi-scale imaging and quantification techniques, theoretical biology, AI models, robotics, and simulation technologies.

We are seeking a Team Director (principal investigator) who will lead a team that develops and advances electron microscopy technologies for observing biological samples and provides technical support to BDR researchers and other collaborators.

Observation of biological samples using electron microscopy, particularly transmission electron microscopy of resin-embedded ultrathin sections, has been an indispensable technique in the life sciences as the gold standard for observing biological ultrastructure since the discovery of ultrafine structures such as intracellular organelles. In particular, three-dimensional electron microscopy for ultrastructural observation is rapidly becoming commoditized overseas, with ongoing technological developments, including correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), and integration with Volume EMs.

BDR has established electron microscopy facilities and a research team to develop related technologies and provide technical support. Through collaborative research with various laboratories inside and outside RIKEN, the team has supported electron microscopy applications across diverse research areas.

In this recruitment, we seek candidates who can maintain and enhance the current electron microscopy support system while advancing it to provide world-class technological development, ensuring that RIKEN and Japan maintain their international standing in life science research.

Candidates are also expected to foster collaboration among electron microscopy facilities across RIKEN centers, promote integration with diverse technologies, and contribute to interdisciplinary research activities throughout RIKEN.

- Opportunities provided by BDR -

BDR provides its Principal Investigators (PIs) with an excellent research environment for conducting independent research, including competitive start-up packages (approximately 40 million JPY; additional budget for electron microscopy equipment and peripherals is negotiable based on needs) and annual research funds (at least 30 million JPY per year, including personnel expenses). PIs will be provided with approximately 200 ㎡ of dedicated laboratory space and will also have access to common equipment areas for sample preparation.

BDR currently has electron microscopy facilities (transmission and scanning electron microscopes), as well as two experienced technical support staff, enabling you to start your research activities immediately. New staff can also be hired within the budget.

PIs will also have opportunities for active collaborations with medical institutions and industry, and for mentoring graduate students through various joint graduate school programs with affiliated graduate schools. For more information, please visit the BDR website’s PI recruitment page.

We welcome applications from candidates who can contribute to expanding RIKEN's diversity, regardless of gender or nationality. Official scientific communications within BDR are conducted in English.

Job title

Team Director (equivalent to full professor): 1 position

Qualification

Applicants must have an outstanding track record in technological development and/or technical support for biological sample observation using electron microscopy, and the ability to lead this research field internationally.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (Kobe Campus-East-West)
2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047 (Developmental Biology Buildings)

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

Salary and benefits

This post is an indefinite-term employment position. Mandatory retirement age for 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 re-employment program to hire individuals as fixed-term employees after the mandatory retirementuntil the age of 65. Following an evaluation, it is possible to remain a principal investigator of the team until the age of 65.

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.
The approximate amount of salary at the time of employment:
The base monthly salary at the time of employment will be more than 744,300 JPY.
If you have approximately 15 years of experience, skills, and achievements after completing a doctoral program, the monthly salary at the time of hiring will be around 966,300 JPY.
If the monthly salary amount offered by RIKEN at the time of hire is lower than that of the previous position, the annual salary amount may be adjusted based on a comprehensive assessment that includes consideration of the cost of living in the candidate’s previous location as well as the candidate’s knowledge, expertise, and accomplishments.

Commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied. Bonuses or retirement benefits will not be paid.

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, 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 (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).

RIKEN may require changes of responsibilities, job category, and work place based on RIKEN regulations due to management decisions, budgetary situation, and organizational restructuring.

• *Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).
• *The Kobe Campushas an in-house daycare facility, Po-I Kids Kobe, within short walking distance. For details, please contact the General Affairs Section, Kobe Operations Division (kobe-kosei@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.
• *Information on daily life and diversity at BDR can be found under Careers & Study on the RIKEN BDR website.

Rights and Responsibilities

• Required to participate in RIKEN management activities in addition to conducting research in the area described above as a laboratory head.
• Eligible to apply for competitive funding from within and outside RIKEN.
• Eligible to host indefinite-term researchers, fixed-term researchers, Special Postdoctoral Researchers (SPDR), JSPS Researchers and Junior Research Associates (JRA), etc.
• Eligible to apply for the purchase of commodities, and laboratory space.
• Responsible for overseeing laboratory members, managing the laboratory budget and handling the maintenance and use of all laboratory equipment and instruments.

Application and required documents

All application documents should be prepared in English.

• 1.CV (include your contact email address)
• 2.List of research achievements and publications (acknowledgments can also be included. If you have a ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, please also include this information)
• 3.List of competitive research funds received, awards received, and other achievements including, contributions to university/institution operations, contribution to society through activities in scientific societies, joint research projects, technology transfers, etc.
• 4.Outline of your research/development and technical support to date (2 pages, A4 size)
• 5.Plans for research/development and technical support if you are hired for the position (3 pages, A4 size)
• 6.Your ideas on how you expect to manage your laboratory and mentor young researchers if you are hired for the position and your track record for mentoring to date. (1 page, A4 size)
• 7.Copies of your main papers (maximum 5 papers) (co-authorship and acknowledgments can also be included).
• 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.
    • 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
• 9.Full names and contact information, including email addresses, of five or more researchers (including at least three or more researchers at non-Japanese institutions) who are able to evaluate your research and are not affiliated with RIKEN.
• 10Letters of recommendation from two persons recommending the applicant.
  • The referees should not be affiliated with RIKEN.
  • The letters can be from persons listed in item 9 above.
  • We may contact these referees for additional information during the interview screening process.
  • There is no specific format for the letters of recommendation, but they must meet the following requirements:
    • -The letter must be submitted as a PDF file.
    • -The letter must be dated and stamped or signed by referee.
    • -The letter should be addressed to “Dr. Makoto Gonokami, President, RIKEN”.

How to apply

The application documents (items 1 to 9 ) combined into a single PDF file should be uploaded to the following link:

BDR_2025-1_Application / Letter of recommendation for Team Director position of new Team at RIKEN BDR

• The file name of the PDF should contain your contact email address.
• After you have uploaded your application document PDF file, please send an email to the following address to inform us of the name of the uploaded file: bdr-suishin-jinji@riken.jp
• If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please send an email to: bdr-suishin-jinji@riken.jp

Letters of recommendation (item 10) should be uploaded by the referees to the following link:

BDR_2025-1_Application / Letter of recommendation for Team Director position of new Team at RIKEN BDR

Please ask the referees to submit the letter of recommendation to this URL.
The letters of recommendation should be received by noon, October 24, 2025 (Japan Standard Time).

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

The application must arrive no later than noon, October 24, 2025 (Japan Standard 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 invited for an interview in the Kobe Campus. The interview will be held on November 19, 2025.
There will also be a final round of interviews with RIKEN executives as part of the hiring process.

• *Interviews may also be carried out online depending on the situation.
• *We cannot answer any questions regarding the contents of the examination.

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

RIKEN expects that the successful candidate will be able to take up this position at the earliest opportunity on or after April 1, 2026.
Other conditions at the time of appointment will be negotiable.

Contact information

For research-related inquiries:
Dr. Yasushi Okada, head of the selection committee (Deputy Director, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research)
Email: y.okada@riken.jp (CC: bdr-suishin-jinji@riken.jp)

For other inquiries: Life Science Research Promotion Division (BDR)
Email: bdr-suishin-jinji@riken.jp

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