Laboratory

Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
(Laboratory head: Ryuhei Nakamura)

Outline of Laboratory

We work on the development of biologically inspired catalysts as well as the application of biological systems towards energy conversion and material production. Specifically, we aim to understand nature’s ingenuity towards multielectron transfer catalysis, electron/proton transport, metabolic regulation, responsiveness to external stimuli, and energy management in deep sea environments to develop novel materials and systems necessary to effectively manage renewable energy sources.

For more information, please refer to the following website:
Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team's Website.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist 1 position

Job description

Regarding the research on “development of metal oxide-based oxygen evolution catalysts and cell performance evaluation” within the research project “Development of Innovative Water Electrolysis Systems for Green Hydrogen Production” under the JST Innovative GX Technology Creation Project (GteX)
Specifically, we seek a researcher who is capable of working on one of the following research topics:

• (1)Development of oxygen evolution catalysts using non-precious metals
• (2)Analysis of oxygen evolution reactions and degradation mechanisms using in situ spectroscopy
• (3)Analysis of oxygen evolution reactions and degradation mechanisms using computational science

The project is expected to end on March 31, 2027.
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

The difference in positions is as follows:

Research Scientist

Conducts laboratory research programs and others.

Qualification

A person who has obtained a PhD 5 or more years ago, or, someone with similar qualifications.
The candidate must have substantial work experience in the job description, be able to carry out research autonomously and independently, and be able to communicate in English.
The candidate must be able to communicate smoothly with collaborators both inside and outside the research team, and work in cooperation and collaboration with them.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

Single fiscal year Fixed-term Employee
The employment contract shall be limited to FY 2026 (March 31, 2027) , based on evaluation.
There will be no re-contract after the expiration of the term.
Those who wish to continue working at RIKEN beyond this point may apply for open positions.

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 total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 431,790 JPY or more.

The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring for a candidate with 5 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 440,000 to 600,000 JPY.

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 (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).

*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.Complete CV or CV
  • *Please write Open-call ID [25-1503] and the position you are applying for.
  • *Please use the format above.
• 2.List of research achievements (Publications, Presentations, awards and others.)
  • *Please submit the PDF of three papers related to this application.
  • *Including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available.*Including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available.
• 3.Previous research and future research plan
• 4.A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor
  • *The letter should be addressed to Dr. Mikiko Sodeoka, the Center Director of the Center for Sustainable Resource Science.
  • *A letter of recommendation from a third party is allowed when it is difficult for the candidate to obtain a letter of recommendation from the current supervisor.
  • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• 5.Certificate of graduation of the most recent education, or a copy of Diploma
• 6.Contact details of 2 to 3 references (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• 7.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

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

Application documents for Research Scientist (Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team, RIKEN)

This ZIP file should have a file name in the format of “ApplicantName.pdf”.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (nakamuralab-recruit@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Letters of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name "XYZ [applicant’s name] (Letters of recommendation)". Please specify the applicant's name and referee’s information (name, affiliation, job title, and email address) in the letter of recommendation.

Application documents for Research Scientist (Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team, RIKEN)

After the referees uploaded the letter of recommendation, please let us(nakamuralab-recruit@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

If the submission requirements are not met, your application will not be processed.

Deadline

Open until the position is filled

• *Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.
• *Note: Only those candidates who pass the document screening will be notified by email.

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 (face-to-face or remote).

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 (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team
Email: nakamuralab-recruit@ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.