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Seeking a Research Scientist (25-1484)

Laboratory

High Energy Nuclear Physics Laboratory
RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
(Chief Scientist: Takehiko Saito)

Outline of Laboratory

Comprehensive understanding of the interactions among microscopic particles that is essential to understand the building block of the matter. We investigate the hadronic interactions via studying sub-atomic nuclei with strange quark(s), the so called hypernuclei. We are leading the projects for studying hypernuclei with heavy ion beams at the accelerator facilities in Germany and China. We also initiated and lead the project to study hypernuclei by analyzing the nuclear emulsion data with machine learning techniques. We also lead the development of precise neutron imaging techniques at the world best precision by using particle tracking detectors.

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

In the framework of international collaboration, the successful candidate will promote nuclear experimental research, in particular hypernuclear research, led by our laboratory, and will address the challenge of elucidating the fundamental interactions among particles. In addition, the candidate will not only contribute to the advancement of existing studies but will also conceive and develop novel research projects with originality.

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

Qualification

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or possess equivalent research capabilities and background in a relevant field. Applicants must have research experience in nuclear experiments, particle physics experiments, atomic experiments, or cosmic-ray measurements, and possess programming skills necessary for data analysis as well as the ability to communicate in English.

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, within a period of 5 years from 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 annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 510,000 JPY or more.
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 580,000 JPY.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the telecommuting system is not available for this position, 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

How to apply

The above documents, except the letters of recommendation, should be combined into a single ZIP file and uploaded to the following link:

RIKEN/PRI file upload box

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

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the link above with the file name "25-1484_applicant’s name (Letter of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter. After the referees upload the recommendation letter, please notify the file name to the email address at contact information below.

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

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Noon, October 31, 2025 (Japan 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 asked to have an interview.

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

As early as possible

Contact Information

RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
High Energy Nuclear Physics Laboratory
Takehiko Saito
Email: takehiko.saito@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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