Laboratory

RIKEN-Berkeley Center,
Division of Global Collaborations and Research Talent Development,
RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences
(RIKEN-Berkeley Center Director: Shigehiro Nagataki)

Outline of Laboratory

At the RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) (Director: Satoshi Iso), we aim to elucidate the universe, matter, and life, as well as to address fundamental problems in society, through interdisciplinary approaches centered on mathematical science. For details, please refer to the homepage of the RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS).
The RIKEN Berkeley Center (RBC), located at the University of California, Berkeley, operates as a part of iTHEMS. The RBC advances integrative research in fundamental physics, including quantum gravity, particle physics, nuclear physics, and the extreme universe. It plays a key role in promoting international collaboration and facilitating researcher exchange between Japan and the U.S., contributing to the global Brain circulation.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researchers, a few positions

Job description

In this call, we seek candidates to join the RIKEN–Berkeley Center and engage in theoretical research as RIKEN-Berkeley Fellow in one or more of the following fields: quantum matter, quantum computation, quantum cosmology, and quantum mathematics. Successful applicants will contribute to research exchange between RIKEN and UC Berkeley under the support of the JST ASPIRE program “RIKEN–Berkeley Mathematical Quantum Science Initiative” (Principal Investigator: Tetsuo Hatsuda), and the U.S. NSF Physics Frontier Center, N3AS (Network for Neutrinos, Nuclear Astrophysics, and Symmetries).

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

Qualification

Candidates with a Ph.D., or expected to receive one by the time of employment.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
Successful applicants will spend the first three months working at RIKEN’s Wako Campus, and will then spend the subsequent period on a long-term business trip at the RIKEN-Berkeley Center located within the University of California, Berkeley.
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 of three years from the 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 600,000 JPY or more.
In addition, during the stay at UC Berkeley, N3AS provides support for living expenses.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but, during a long-term business trip at the RIKEN Berkeley Center located within the University of California, Berkeley, the telecommuting system is generally unavailable, in principle.

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.Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
  • *In the notes section of your CV, include the job position number (e.g.25-1527)
    next to the title of the job position. You may also include your research IDs (ORCID, Google Scholar, etc.).
• 2.List of publications (including preprints).
• 3.Research statement (summary of current and past research relevant to this position; 2 pages max)
• 4.Research proposal (description of your research objectives over the time scale of the position; 3 pages max)
• 5.Two letters of recommendation(references), including one from the current supervisor, if available.
• 6.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

Upload the above documents to Academic Jobs Online.

Deadline

Open until the position is filled
The selection process will begin with the documents received by December 1, 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

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

April 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

Remark

Each successful applicant will be allocated research funds of up to 10,000 USD per year.

Contact Information

For inquiries, please include in the subject line: “RIKEN-Berkeley Fellow (Inquiry: 25-1527)”
and contact the Director of the RIKEN–Berkeley Center, Shigehiro Nagataki (shigehiro.nagataki@riken.jp), by email.