Seeking a few Senior Research Scientists, Research Scientists, Postdoctoral Researchers (26-1354)

About this position

• 【Title】
• Seeking a few Senior Research Scientists, Research Scientists,
• Postdoctoral Researchers (26-1354)

• 【Laboratory / Division】
• Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science, RIKEN Center for
• Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (Division
• Director：Satoshi Iso)

• 【Outline of Laboratory / Division】
• RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical
• Sciences (iTHEMS) is an international research center at RIKEN. It
• facilitates close collaborations among researchers from different
• disciplines in theoretical, mathematical and computational sciences.
• On April 1, 2025, iTHEMS transitioned from a program to a center. The
• ultimate goal of iTHEMS is to unravel the mystery of the Universe,
• matter, and life, as well as to solve key problems in modern society
• through interdisciplinary approaches.

• Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science conducts mathematical
• basic research through interdisciplinary initiatives centered on
• mathematics (mathematics, materials, life, space, computing, and
• information).
• We are recruiting several talented researchers in the area of
• mathematics interested in collaborating with researchers from iTHEMS,
• RIKEN, and beyond.

• For more information, please refer to the following website:
• RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical
• Science (iTHEMS)

• 【Job title and Job description 】
• Job title
• Senior Research Scientist or Research Scientist or Postdoctoral
• Researcher, a few positions
• Senior Research Scientist
• While independently conducting research, they will contribute to the
• development of interdisciplinary activities in line with iTHEMS’
• philosophy and play a central role in planning and coordinating
• research projects. Also expected to actively mentor and support
• early-career researchers.
• Research Scientist
• While independently conducting research, they will contribute to the
• development of interdisciplinary activities in line with iTHEMS’
• philosophy.
• Postdoctoral Researcher
• While conducting their independent research program, they will also
• engage in collaborative research projects with other iTHEMS
• researchers, and participate in iTHEMS' activities outside their
• discipline.

• ＊Applicants may specify their preferred position; however, they will
• be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability,
• aptitude, etc.

• Job description
• iTHEMS is looking for Senior Research Scientists or Research
• Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers who will advance research in
• mathematics (algebra, geometry, and analysis, etc.). The successful
• candidate will engage in the construction and deepening of
• mathematical theories that are foundational to various areas of
• mathematical and natural sciences, while interacting with researchers
• both within and outside iTHEMS. We particularly welcome applications
• from young researchers with outstanding abilities in the field of
• mathematics.

The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon

contract renewal to the extent described above.

• 【Qualification】
• The candidate should possess or is expected to obtain a doctoral
• degree by the starting date.

• 【Work location】
• RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
• RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary,
• in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

【Salary and benefits】

• A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of the 7 years (Senior Research Scientist) or 5 years (Research Scientist) or 3 years (Postdoctoral Researcher) from the date of hire.
• RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, workload 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. 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 600,000JPY or more for Senior
• Research Scientist, 550,000JPY or more for Research Scientist, 480,000
• or more for Postdoctoral Researcher.

• 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 Saturdays and Sundays, 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]

• A cover letter explaining your motivations to apply for this position. If there are special circumstances you would like the committee to consider, you may include them here.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
• In the notes section of your CV, include the job position number (26-1354) next to the title of the job position. You may also include your research IDs (ORCID, Google Scholar, etc.).
• List of publications (including preprints)
• Research statement (summary of current and past research relevant to this position; 2 pages max)
• Research proposal (describe your research objectives over the time scale of the position [3-5 years]; 3 pages max) 6.Interdisciplinary statement (discuss your views and interest on interdisciplinarity, and how you see yourself interacting with iTHEMS members from other fields; 1 page max)
• Two letters of recommendation from a current supervisor or someone who can evaluate the applicant.

• Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Policy) Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
• Hiring Privacy Policy
• Privacy Policy

• [How to apply] Application documents should be uploaded through this
• page.Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.
• [Deadline]
• Application must arrive by November 20, 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】

On or after April 1, 2027 (Negotiable)

• 【Contact Information】
• Mathematical, Computational and Information Science Promotion Division
• (iTHEMS)
• For inquiry, send an email to ithems_saiyou@ml.riken.jp with Subject:
• iTHEMS Job opening (26-1354).