Laboratory

Molecule Creation Laboratory
RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
(Chief Scientist: Kenichiro Itami)

Research Field and Overview

The goal of Molecule Creation Laboratory is to create one-of-a-kind molecules that combine structural beauty and unprecedented functionality, to make molecules active in the boundary areas between various fields, and to explore unexplored areas. Focusing mainly on molecular nanocarbons, we will promote integrated material creation research based on three pillars: the development of innovative molecular editing and manipulation methods, the creation of novel material functions, and the deployment to biology and drug discovery.

Job title and job description

Job title

Research Scientist: 1 position

Note: We are seeking individuals at the level of full-time university Assistant Professor to Associate Professor or Full-Time Lecturer for this open position.

Job description

The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for investigating the material properties and unexplored functions of novel molecular nanocarbons and unique pi-conjugated molecules. We also welcome individuals who are willing to engage in cross-disciplinary research, such as exploring biological functions of molecular nanocarbons.
The candidate will be involved in the management of the laboratory in collaboration with the laboratory head, planning research projects, preparing papers, supervising trainees, post-doctoral researchers, and technical staff in the laboratory, and liaising with other parties inside and outside RIKEN, active engagement in cross-disciplinary research is also expected.
The specific content of the research will be decided by discussion with full consideration of the candidate's research plans and prospects.

Qualifications

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

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)

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 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 the mandatory retirement age to age 65.
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, as a general rule, 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.

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

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.
The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 510,000 JPY.
The monthly salary at the time of employment, in the case that the employee has experience, ability, and achievement of approximately 5 years after completion of his/her doctoral degree, will be approximately 580,000 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 (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.

Other

• *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 Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to kids@riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Application documents

All the application documents should be prepared in English. (Only  letters of recommendation may be either in English or in Japanese)

• 1.CV or CV (include your contact email address)
• 2.List of research achievement and publications（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 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.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
• 7.One set of copies of your major papers (maximum number: 5)
• 8.Letters of recommendation from two persons who can evaluate your work
  • -One letter must be from your current supervisor or academic advisor.
  • -Another letter must be from a person who is not affiliated with RIKEN.

How to apply

Upload the application documents (items 1 through 6) combined into a single PDF file to the following link (Document 7 should be submitted as a separate PDF).

RIKEN/PRI file upload box

The file name of PDF:

• 25-1293_applicant’s name.pdf
• 25-1293_mainpapers_applicant’s name.pdf

After you uploaded the file, please notify the file name to the email address at contact information below.

About letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the link above with the file name "25-1293_applicant’s name (letter of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
After the referees uploaded the letter of recommendation, please notify the file name to the email address at contact information below.
If none of your current supervisors or academic advisors are able to prepare a letter of recommendation, a letter from a third person will be accepted.

There is no set format for the letters of recommendation, but they must meet the following conditions: they must be addressed to the President of RIKEN, Makoto Gonokami, and include the date of issue. Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address).

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact to the same email address.

Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

Deadline

Noon, October 15, 2025 (Japan time).

Handling of personal information

Submitted documents are strictly protected under RIKEN Personal Information Protection Regulations and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening. 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

RIKEN expects that the successful candidate will be able to take up this position at the earliest opportunity after April 1, 2026.

Other conditions at the time of appointment will be negotiable.

Contact Information

For inquiries concerning the research:
Dr. Kenichiro Itami (Chief Scientist)
Email: kenichiro.itami@riken.jp

For other inquiries:
Pioneering Science Promotion Division
Email: pri_j1@ml.riken.jp

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