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Seeking a Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, Technical Scientist or Senior Technical Scientist (25-1599)

Laboratory

Nuclear Structure Research Group
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science
(Group Director: Hideki Ueno)

Research Field and Overview

The Nuclear Structure Research Group has been conducting physics research mainly on radioactive isotopes (RI) based on various nuclear spectroscopic techniques, such as β-ray spectroscopy (β-NMR, μSR, etc.), γ-ray spectroscopy (γ-TDPAD, Mössbauer spectroscopy, etc), laser spectroscopy, and time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. In particular, the group is working on the R&D of the technique of spin-controlled RI-beam production and the universal low-energy RI-beam system, SLOWRI, aiming at new experimental research taking advantage of such unique RI beams.

The SLOWRI Team, established in the Nuclear Structure Research Group, is conducting R&D studies on the SLOWRI system, which reduces the energy of high-energy RI beams (tens of GeV) obtained from the superconducting in-flight RI separator BigRIPS at the RIKEN RIBF accelerator facility to low-energy RI beams (⁓30 keV) based on the technique of gas deceleration cooling and RF ion guide. By combining this system with a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MRTOF) and installing it in BigRIPS and other experimental ports at RIBF, the group is conducting systematic mass measurement of RIs. To date, the group has successfully performed high-precision mass measurements of more than 200 RIs.

For more information, please refer to the following webpage:

Job title and job description

Job title

Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, Technical Scientist or Senior Technical Scientist: 1 position
The position at the time of hiring will be determined through the selection process.

Job description

Successful candidate will be responsible for developing SLOWRI's main device, a large RF ion guide He gas cell system, and implementing it in BigRIPS, as a member of the SLOWRI team. The candidate will also develop, operate, maintain, and upgrade the existing RF ion guide systems. In addition, the candidate will be also involved in the development, operation, maintenance, and upgrading of MRTOF, which is used in conjunction with the SLOWRI system, and will promote experimental research through the advanced use of these systems.

If hired as a Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist, the candidate will not only be involved in the above-noted technological development, but also take initiative in promoting, e.g., nuclear structure research and nuclear astrophysics research based on the measurement results obtained, as well as performing various tasks in the assigned laboratory. If hired as a Senior Research Scientist or a Senior Technical Scientist, the candidate will also be responsible for assisting the laboratory head. These works should be actively and steadily conducted under the smooth cooperation with persons involved.

Qualification

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 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 be approximately 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).

How to apply

The above documents (items 1 to 7), except the letters of recommendation, should be combined into a single ZIP file and uploaded to the following link:
Indefinite-term employment position Nuclear Structure Research 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 " Nuclear Structure Research 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 Nuclear Structure Research 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

Nuclear Structure Research Group,RNC
Hideki Ueno (Group Director)
Email: ueno@riken.jp

SLOWRI Team, Nuclear Structure Research Group,RNC
Hironobu Ishiyama (Team Leader)
Email: hironobu.ishiyama@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.

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