Seeking a few Research Scientists, Senior Research Scientists, Technical Scientists or Senior Technical Scientists (25-1598)
Laboratory
Accelerator Group
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
(Group Director: Osamu Kamigaito)
Research Field and Overview
The accelerator group is pursuing various upgrade programs of the world-leading heavy-ion accelerator facility, RI-Beam Factory (RIBF), to enhance the accelerator performance and operation efficiency. We are also promoting developments of the RIBF for applications to a variety of research fields.
For more information, please refer to the following webpage:
Accelerator Group | RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
Job title and job description
Job title
Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, Technical Scientist or Senior Technical Scientist: a few positions
The position at the time of hiring will be determined through the selection process.
Job description
The successful candidate will be assigned to one of the following teams and will be engaged in research and development as well as operation and maintenance in the corresponding area:
- A.Liquid helium cooling system for the Superconducting Ring Cyclotron (Cryogenic Technology Team)
- B.Beam monitors for high-intensity heavy-ion beams (Beam Dynamics and Diagnostics Team)
- C.Radio-frequency systems of the RI Beam Factory (Cyclotron Team)
Specific duties for each team are as follows:
- A.The successful candidate will operate and further enhance the liquid helium cooling system of the Superconducting Ring Cyclotron. The successful candidate will also utilize machine learning and other advanced methods to evaluate and predict the integrity of superconducting coils, with the aim of establishing operational technologies that enable long-term stable operation. In addition, the successful candidate will work on developing methods for early detection and diagnosis of potential cooling system failures.
- B.The successful candidate will operate and maintain a wide range of beam diagnostic instruments, such as Faraday cups and profile monitors. The successful candidate will also engage in the development of non-destructive beam diagnostic devices and high-speed electronics, as well as the automation of data acquisition and the advancement of data analysis systems. Through these efforts, the successful candidate will contribute to establishing a solid technological foundation that supports future high-reliability, high-efficiency beam operations.
- C.The successful candidate will ensure the stable operation of existing RF systems while proactively incorporating new technologies to contribute to the development of future RF systems. Specifically, they will maintain and upgrade operational RF sources, accelerating cavities, and superconducting linear accelerators (linacs), and will lead the transition to next-generation RF systems, such as the adoption of digital low-level RF (LLRF) equipment.
Research Scientist and Technical Scientist are expected to conduct research and development on topics specified above and to contribute to the management of the laboratory. Senior Research Scientist and Senior Technical Scientist are also expected to assist the laboratory head.
Qualification
A doctoral degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience, is required. Previous research and development experience specifically in accelerators is not necessary.
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 that allows employees to be rehired and continue working until age 65.
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:
If hired as a Research Scientist or a Technical Scientist:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 510,000 JPY or more. Example: 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 beapproximately 580,000 JPY.
If hired as a Senior Research Scientist or a Senior Technical Scientist:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 540,000 JPY or more. Example: The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 10 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 730,000 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. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp.
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 ResearcherID 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 (within 3 pages, A4 size)
- 5.Desired job (any of the above A to C. Multiple selections are acceptable.)
- 6.Your future research and development plans and perspectives if you are accepted for the position (within 3 pages in A4 size in total)
- 7.One set of copies of your major papers (maximum number: 3, For open access papers, links are also acceptable.)
- 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
- *For residents of the EEA, you will find detailed information about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
- 9.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
The above documents (items 1 to 8), except the letters of recommendation, should be combined into a single ZIP file and uploaded to the following link:
Indefinite-term employment position Accelerator Group, RNC
The file name of the ZIP should contain your name and contact email address.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
About letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the subject line " Accelerator Group, RNC [applicant’s name] (Letters of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name, and the referee's name and contact information in the letter of recommendation.
Indefinite-term employment position Accelerator Group, RNC
After the referees upload the letter of recommendation, please let us (rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
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: rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp.
Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.
Deadline
Noon, November 24, 2025 (Japan time).
Handling of personal information
Submitted documents are strictly protected under the 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 the final interview 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
Accelerator Group, RNC
Osamu Kamigaito (Group Director)
Email: kamigait@riken.jp
For other inquiries
Nishina Center Screening Working Group
Email: rnc-jinji@ml.riken.jp
Note: No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.