Senior Research Scientist

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)

Application Deadline: 24 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)

Country: Japan

Type of Contract: Permanent

Job Status: Not Applicable

Hours Per Week: See description

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

[Background of the recruitment and description of the project]

Background of the recruitment and description of the project

RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science (RNC) 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?” Our laboratory seeks to establish a new cross-disciplinary field by combining astrophysics, cosmochemistry, glaciology, and climate science to understand how changing space environments have influenced Earth's atmospheric and climate systems over time. At the center of this research are ice cores (cylindrical ice samples recovered from an ice sheet) that preserve historical data on the atmosphere, climate, and space. In particular, ice cores drilled around Dome Fuji Station in Antarctica are known to contain distinct chemical signals heavily influenced by cosmic rays.

On the experimental side of this study, we measure isotopic and ionic concentrations in ice cores to reconstruct past environmental variations at extremely high temporal resolutions. To do this, we have developed “Advanced-LMS” — the world's first laser-melting sampling system capable of ultra-high-resolution analyses for ice cores extending back over a million years. We also continually develop analytical techniques and instrumentation to improve both precision and efficiency. On the theoretical side, we leverage 3D Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model and statistical analyses to interpret the proxy records retrieved from the ice cores.

Integrating these experimental and theoretical investigations, we aim to uncover how observed isotopic and chemical variations correspond to climate change, solar activity, stratospheric changes, and extreme cosmic-ray events.

※ Continued in the Notes column

Keywords: Ice core, Stable Isotope, Ratio Analysis

For more information, please refer to the following webpage: https://www.nishina.riken.jp/labo/astro_glaciology_e.html

details of the business

RIKEN is Japan's largest and most comprehensive research organization for basic and applied science.

Work content and job description

We are seeking a candidate who can pursue research in Earth and Astro-sciences focused on ice core analysis. The successful candidate will conduct analyses of water isotope ratios, ion concentrations, and stable isotopes (e.g., nitrate isotope ratio, which may serve as an indicator of cosmic-ray intensity variations), utilizing the “Advanced-LMS” (Laser Melting Sampler) system developed in the Astro-Glaciology Laboratory for the ice core research. The candidate is expected to pursue research in Earth and Astro-sciences, with a focus on contributing to the development of the research infrastructure for the “Astro-Glaciology Ice-core Data Factory” project ― specifically, the systematic acquisition and analyses of ultra-high-resolution data related to climate, solar activity, and cosmic rays from Dome Fuji deep ice cores. In addition to carrying out the research and development projects, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to various administrative tasks within the laboratory and to laboratory management duties in collaboration with the laboratory director.

Assigned department

Existing departments

Work location

Address: 351-0198 Saitama , 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, RIKEN Wako Campus

RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Potential sites of relocation: Any campus, branch, or office as ordered by RIKEN.

Number of hired

Number of hired: 1 person(s)

Number of hired description: Senior Research Scientist: one position

Job content supplemental explanation: Start of Employment: RIKEN expects that the successful candidate will be able to take up this position at the earliest opportunity after April 1, 2027. Other conditions at the time of appointment will be negotiable.

Where to apply

Website: https://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekJorDetail?fn=0&ln=1&id=D126080599&ln_jor=1

Additional Information

Benefits

Compensation

Annual salary: 8 million yen.

Wages description: 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 670,000JPY or more. 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 850,000 JPY. If the monthly salary amount offered by RIKEN at the time of hire is lower than that of the previous position, the annual salary amount may be adjusted based on a comprehensive assessment that includes consideration of the cost of living in the candidate’s previous location as well as the candidate’s knowledge, expertise, and accomplishments.

Working hours: 09:00-17:20

Break time: 12:00-12:50

Holidays: 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).

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.

Employment type: Regular employee

Employment type description: Senior Research Scientist

Contract period: Tenured

Contract period description: 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. As an exception, depending on screening results, the successful candidate may be initially employed on a fixed-term employment contract up to a maximum of 5 years with the possibility of being promoted to indefinite-term employment after a separate review process that will take place, as a general rule, at the end of the first 3 years of employment. Remuneration and work conditions for fixed-term employment are based on the same conditions as those for indefinite-term employment.

Probationary period: Probationary period present. In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period. There is no change of working conditions.

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

Retirement age: 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

Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace

Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.

Supplementary explanation of compensation

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.

RIKEN may require changes of responsibilities, job category, and work place based on RIKEN regulations due to management decisions, budgetary situation, and organizational restructuring.

*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.

Additional comments

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.

※ Continued from the Background of the recruitment and description of the project column: Ultimately, our mission is to decode the elusive link between climate and solar variability, trace the signatures and frequency of galactic supernovae, and then shed light on the long-standing mystery of the origin of elements. We regard Dome Fuji ice cores as “a natural archive bridging the Earth and the Universe”, and aim to contribute to society by broadly understanding Earth's climate change and the intricate connection between the cosmic environment and terrestrial life.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: RIKEN

Country: Japan

City: Saitama

Contact

City: Saitama