Laboratory

Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science, RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences
(Division Director: Satoshi Iso)

Outline of Laboratory

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) is an international research center at RIKEN. It facilitates close collaborations among researchers from different disciplines in theoretical, mathematical and computational sciences. On April 1, 2025, iTHEMS transitioned from a program to a center. The ultimate goal of iTHEMS is to unravel the mystery of the Universe, matter, and life, as well as to solve key problems in modern society through interdisciplinary approaches.

Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science conducts mathematical basic research through interdisciplinary initiatives centered on mathematics (mathematics, materials, life, space, computing, and information).
We are recruiting several talented researchers in the area of mathematics interested in collaborating with researchers from iTHEMS, RIKEN, and beyond.

For more information, please refer to the following website:
RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Science (iTHEMS)

Job title and Job description

Job title

Senior Research Scientist or Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, a few positions

Senior Research Scientist

Assists the division director or deputy division directors, provides guidance to the laboratory members and others, and implements the division’s research agenda.

Research Scientist

Conducts the division’s research projects.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Under the training and guidance of senior staff, conducts the division’s research project, etc.

*The applicant will be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability, aptitude, etc.

Job description

iTHEMS is looking for Senior Research Scientists or Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers who will advance research in mathematics (algebra, geometry, and analysis). The successful candidate will engage in the construction and deepening of mathematical theories that are foundational to various areas of mathematical and natural sciences, while interacting with researchers both within and outside iTHEMS. We particularly welcome applications from young researchers with outstanding abilities in the field of mathematics.

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

Qualification

The candidate should possess or is expected to obtain a doctoral degree by the starting date.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (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 7 years (Senior Research Scientist) or 5 years (Research Scientist) or 3 years (Postdoctoral Researcher) from initial date of hire.
• 2.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load 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.
Discretionary work, 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 including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 580,000JPY or more for Senior Research Scientist, 550,000JPY or more for Research Scientist, 480,000JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher.

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

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

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).

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.A cover letter explaining your motivations to apply for this position. If there are special circumstances you would like the committee to consider, you may include them here.
• 2.Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
  • *In the notes section of your CV, include the job position number (25-1512) next to the title of the job position. You may also include your research IDs (ORCID, Google Scholar, etc.).
• 3.List of publications (including preprints)
• 4.Research statement (summary of current and past research relevant to this position; 2 pages max)
• 5.Research proposal (describe your research objectives over the time scale of the position [3-5 years]; 3 pages max)
• 6.Interdisciplinary statement (discuss your views and interest on interdisciplinarity, and how you see yourself interacting with iTHEMS members from other fields; 1 page max)
• 7.Two or more letters of recommendation (references), including one from your current supervisor if available.
• 8.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR/UK GDPR
  If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, you are required to sign and submit the document, “Consent form for handling personal information based on Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) and the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation.”
  • *For residents of the EEA, you will find detailed information about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
    Data protection | European Commission
  • *For residents of the UK, you will find detailed information about Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation) on the following website:
    The UK GDPR | Information Commissioner’s Office

How to apply

Application documents should be uploaded through Academic Jobs Online.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Application must arrive by December 5, 2025 (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

Application screening and interview for selected applicants

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

On or after April 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

Remark

Each Senior Research Scientist and Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher will be allocated an annual research grant of up to one million yen.

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Science
For inquiry, send an email to ithems_app@ml.riken.jp with Subject: iTHEMS Job opening (25-1512).