Seeking Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist (26-809) Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher Or Research Scientist

Nuclear Dynamics Research Group RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science (Group Director: Tomohiro Uesaka)

RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator Science promotes scientific and technological development related to “element transmutation,” a field founded by Dr. Yoshio Nishina more than 80 years ago, and is tackling two fundamental questions: “How were the elements created in the universe?” and “Can humanity freely transmute elements?”

The Nuclear Dynamics Research Group is conducting research on the production and subsequent analysis of new nuclear states, as well as the order formation in unbound states and infinite nuclear matter, through the investigation of nuclear reactions and dynamic phenomena. Furthermore, through this research, the group is exploring the possibility of element transmutation.

In addition, the Nuclear Dynamics Research Group is collaborating with the Multi-Scale Quantum Dynamics (MSQD) Joint Research Group to advance research in quantum science in the quark- and the nucleus hierarchies—a field made possible only by combining the RIBF, the world's highest-performance RI beam accelerator in the nuclear physics field, with the EIC, the world's first electron- ion collision accelerator. The Groups are collaboratively advancing the development of next-generation semiconductor detectors, a core technology for the EIC project, and their integration into RIBF experiments.

Job Description

The successful candidate will lead the development of AC-coupled low-gain avalanche diodes (AC-LGAD), for detector arrays used in RIBF experiments, as well as the TOF detector used in the EIC project, and conduct physics research using these detectors. Due to the nature of the work, the successful candidate is expected to also serve in the Department of Collaborative Research on MSQD Joint Research Group.

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

Qualification

Individuals who have already earned a Ph.D. in a related field, or who are expected to earn a Ph.D. by the hiring date

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

• A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to 5 years for Postdoctoral Researcher or up to 7 years for Research Scientist from initial date of hire.
• 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 old.
• There will be an interim review around the 3rd year (Postdoctoral Researcher), 5th year (Research Scientist).

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.

Postdoctoral Researcher

The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 382,610 JPY or more.

Research Scientist

The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 448,990 JPY or more.

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

• Complete CV or CV
• List of research achievement and publications. (Including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
• A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
• Summary of major achievements to date and research proposal in future (two pages A4 sized paper, respectively)
• Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the UK General Data Protection Regulation)

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

Nuclear Dynamics Research Group

The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address. After you upload the ZIP file, please let us (uesaka@riken.jp) know the file name of the upload file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name

* Nuclear Dynamics Research Group [applicant's name] (recommendation letters)*.

Please specify the applicant's name and referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letters.

Nuclear Dynamics Research Group

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: rnc-jinji@mi.riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Application must arrive by September 30, 2026 (JST)

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

As early as possible

Contact Information

Nuclear Dynamics Research Group MSQD Joint Research Group RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science Group Director: Tomohiro Uesaka Email: uesaka@riken.jp For inquiries, please send an email.