Detailed information
Work location : Kanto district - Saitama
Date of publication : 2025/02/07
Call for applications for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for FY 2026
D125020561
RIKEN
Research field : Others - Others - Please refer to the above [Researchfields]
Researcher/Postdoc level : Contract employee - Nontenured - Non-tenure track - Probationary period present
Job description
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Background of the recruitment and description of the project
RIKEN is currently accepting applications for the FY 2026 Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) Program, from young, creative, independent researchers who will be a powerful force in furthering RIKEN’s research activities.
[Description]
The involvement of creative young scientists is critical in pioneering new frontiers of science and technology. RIKEN’s Special Postdoctoral Researcher Program is a program to foster the development of researchers who will become internationally active in the future, and provides creative young scientists with the opportunity to be involved in autonomous and independent research on a topic of their own choosing that is in line with RIKEN objectives and research fields.
Research funds that can be used at one’s discretion will be granted to SPDRs. It is expected that as a corresponding author, outcomes accomplished independently on one’s own proposed research topic will be presented in academic journals and conferences.
With consideration to changes in the environment surrounding the SPDR program in recent years, the monthly salary for this program was revised in FY 2023. -
Work content and job description
[Research fields]
Mathematical Sciences (pure mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, information science, artificial intelligence, etc.), Physics I (particle, nuclear, astrophysics, etc.), Physics II (condensed matter etc.), Chemistry, Biology (cell biology, developmental biology, plant biology, structural biology, microbiology, imaging, measuring, basic neuroscience, etc.), Medical Science (brain medical science, immunology, oncology, genome science, etc.) and Engineering that relate to research being conducted at RIKEN. As part of the screening process, the research category to which you applied may be changed to a different category.
Consult with the laboratory head regarding the choice of research field, before applying for the position. -
Assigned department
Existing departments
Please refer to Laboratories with SPDR Openings of "job Posting URL".
Job type
- Researcher/Postdoc level
Research field
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Others - Others
Please refer to the above [Researchfields]
Wages
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Annual Salary : 6 million yen ~
1.Annual salary paid in monthly installments of 550,000 yen (social insurance premiums and taxes included). Commuting allowance (actual cost up to maximum of 55,000 yen per month) and housing allowance (partial payment of rent) will also be paid.
2.Travel cost to take up the appointment at RIKEN will be compensated according to RIKEN’s rules and regulations.
Working hours
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Working hours :09:00-17:20
Break time :12:00-12:50
Holidays : Days off from work include Saturdays and Sundays, national holidays, year-end/New Year holidays (Dec 29 to 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).Overtime and other explanations : This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Application requirements
Qualifications
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Education and Degree Requirements
Ph.D. / Doctor
Applicants must fulfill all five conditions given below:
1.Be prepared to independently and responsibly pursue a research topic.
2.Have a PhD awarded on or after January 1, 2020, or expect to be awarded a PhD by the date of hire.
Note: Those with PhDs acquired prior to December 31, 2019, may also apply if there was a lapse in their research activity after obtaining the PhD, and if subtracting this period of non-research activity will allow them an equivalency that meets the above requirement. If applicable, please fill the details (specific reasons and period) in the application form.
RIKEN’s screening committee will determine whether the period of lapse is justifiable after the deadline for submitting the application.
Examples of acceptable periods of lapse: maternity leave, childcare leave, and working in private industry in a non-research capacity.
3.Able to start work in FY 2026 (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027)
4.Those who have previously participated in the SPDR and FPR programs are NOT eligible to apply.
Employment Type
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Contract employee
Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR)
Contract period
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Nontenured - Non-tenure track
Three years from date of hire (in principle, April 1, 2026) (Actual starting date to be decided upon consultation)
Probationary period present
In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period. There is no change of working conditions.
Work location
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351-0198
Saitama
Saitama 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
519-1399 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan
Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 15th floor,1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan
7F Keihanna Plaza Lab Bldg, 1-7 Hikaridai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0237, Japan
The address and work location written above may differ depending on the hosting laboratory. Please confirm the hosting laboratory's location on the website of its affiliated center.
RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.
Compensation
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Various systems
Pay increase system : 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.
Transportation expenses : available
Others : Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave. -
Insurance
Employees' Health Insurance : available
Employees' Pension Insurance : available
Worker's accident insurance : available
Employment insurance : available
Others : available
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Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.
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Supplementary explanation of compensation
Research budget: 1,000,000 yen per year.
In addition, upon review, a maximum of 1,000,000 yen in total can be provided up to two times during the three-year SPDR term.
The amount for the first fiscal year and the last fiscal year is allotted on a pro-rata basis depending on the month in which the SPDR starts working at RIKEN.
Notes：
・SPDRs will be exempt from repayment of category 1 scholarship loans from the Japan Student Services Organization that were made before fiscal year 2003.
・SPDRs are eligible to apply for external funding (kakenhi and the like).
・SPDRs who take maternity leave, childcare leave, or additional leave for childcare during the contracted period may have their contract duration extended for a duration up to the period for either one of the shorter terms stated below, starting the day after the leave end.
(1) The duration of time taken off for leave starting from the first day of the month in which each leave began and ending with the final day of the month in which each leave ends (however, for overlapping durations, only the shorter period will be applied).
(2) The duration starting from the first day of the month in which leave began, ending with the final day of the month in which the contract completes
・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.
Application Considerations
Number of hired
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Description
Around 70
(subject to change with any change depending on budget)
70 person(s)
Application period
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2025/02/07~2025/04/03 Deadline for receipt
For registering basic information:
5 pm April 3, 2025 (Japan Time)
For revising or uploading application documents and letters of reference:
5 pm April 10, 2025 (Japan Time)
Application method
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Attached documents
Application Form : Online SubmissionPlease refer to "Job Posting URL".Achievements and Activities : Online SubmissionPlease refer to "Job Posting URL".Other online application forms
Please refer to "Job Posting URL". -
Return of application documents
Others
Application documents will not be returned.
Submitted documents including personal information will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening. -
* Out of application period.
URL of this job posting
Selection / Notification of result
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Selection
[Selection procedures and schedule]
Stage I (document-based selection):
When you register, be sure to give a contact email address.
Notification: Late June or early July, 2025 (screening results and interview notice)
Stage II (interview):
Fields and interview dates (between late July and Early August)
Dates will be posted as soon as they are fixed.
Mathematical Sciences, TBD
Physics I, TBD
Physics II, TBD
Chemistry, TBD
Biology, TBD
Medical Sciences, TBD
Engineering, TBD
Location:
RIKEN (either of the following locations designated by RIKEN: Wako or Kobe) or Online
Notification:
Midle or late September, 2025 (final results)
RIKEN will not cover travel costs for the interview. -
Notification of result
The results will be notified individually by e-mail,etc.
Contact details
RIKEN
Research Personnel Affairs Section Human Resources Division
SPDR Desk
wakate-ABC-@riken.jp
Note: Please send queries by email. Telephone inquiries cannot be accepted.
Information cannot be provided on the details of the screening process.
Notes
1.Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected.
2.Submitted application documents cannot be returned or changed.
3.All the submitted documents will not be returned.
4.Submitted documents will be handled in accordance with the RIKEN rules concerning personal information, and only used for screening applications for this position. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred, or lent to any third party without a justifiable reason.
5.Intellectual property issues will be handled in accordance with RIKEN regulations.
6.Only one research topic per applicant allowed.
7.The provisions for this position are premised on RIKEN’s current budget and are subject to change with any change in the budget.
8.SPDRs are expected to work under the direction of the head of their host laboratory.
Please delete "-ABC-" in the above email address.
