Position Description

RIKEN Mathematical, Computational & Information Sciences

Position Title: RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow (FY 2027)

Position Type: Fellowship / Research Engineer

Position Location: Wako, Saitama (with concurrent host laboratories in Wako, Tsukuba, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, or Harima), Japan

Subject Areas: Interdisciplinary / Data Science / Computer Science / Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning / Computational Science / High-Performance Computing (HPC) / Bioinformatics & Computational Biology / Quantum Computing / Physics (Nuclear, Particle, Synchrotron & Accelerator) / Photonics & Image Processing / Information Technology & Network Systems / Research Data Infrastructure & DX

Application Deadline: 2:00 PM JST, October 30, 2026 (Registration required by 5:00 PM JST, October 23, 2026 )

RIKEN is Hiring: Launch Your Career as a Research Engineer!

Position: RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow (Around 5 openings)

Institution: RIKEN – Research Engineer Enablement Office, Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters (and a concurrent host laboratory)

Start Date: Between April 1, 2027 and January 1, 2028 (negotiable)

Location: Japan (Primary: Wako Campus; Concurrent: Wako, Tsukuba, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, or Harima Campuses)

Official Call & Host Labs: Host laboratories (PDF 32.5KB)

Application Deadline: Registration by 5:00 PM JST, October 23, 2026 ; Document Submission by 2:00 PM JST, October 30, 2026

Overview of the RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow Program

Data-driven science, AI for Science, and innovations in Mathematical, Computational, and Information Sciences (MCIS) are fundamentally changing how scientific research is conducted. RIKEN is utilizing information technology across diverse fields to accelerate groundbreaking research.

To maintain and strengthen research competitiveness, RIKEN is establishing a new profession: the Research Engineer. Working alongside domain researchers beyond traditional fields and projects, Research Engineers combine domain research experience with MCIS skills to catalyze research outcomes. RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow is a gateway for junior research personnel aspiring to become Research Engineers, providing the Fellows with practical, on-the-job experience to grow into talent active across academia and industry.

Lead the Future of Science at RIKEN

Are you eager to leverage your advanced skills in mathematics, computation, and information technology to promote cutting-edge scientific research?

As a Fellow, you will have a primary affiliation with the Research Engineer Enablement Office and a concurrent affiliation with a host laboratory. You will advance scientific research at your host lab while continuously enhancing your own MCIS skills, including knowledge of AI security and data analysis, with the support of the Research Engineer Enablement Office.

We offer:

A Unique Career Ecosystem: Gain practical experience in handling research data and utilizing AI for research in RIKEN’s world-class research settings.

Competitive Salary: Estimated starting salary of at least 550,000 JPY/month (including annual salary and discretionary work allowance), determined based on experience, ability, and previous compensation.

Activity Fund: Activity fund of up to 1,000,000 JPY/year (up to 3,000,000 JPY over 3 years).

Excellent Benefits: Discretionary labor system, commuting and housing allowances, social insurance, telework options, and extensive leave policies (including annual paid leave, work-life balance leave, maternity/childcare leave).

Term: Up to 3 years (single-year contract renewable based on evaluation).

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from early-career researchers, domain researchers seeking a career change, and corporate engineers on secondment.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Obtained a PhD on or after January 1, 2016, or expect to receive one by the date of hire. (Exceptions may be made for applicants with lapses in research activities due to maternity/childcare leave, private-sector employment, etc.)
• Possess the mathematical, computational science, and/or information technology skills required by the prospective host laboratory.
• Be interested in acquiring further mathematical and computational knowledge necessary for evaluating AI results.
• Highly motivated to contribute to research led by RIKEN researchers as a cross-disciplinary partner.

How to Apply?

Contact a Host Lab: First, check the list of host laboratories in the official guidelines, contact your prospective lab to confirm they can host you, and discuss your planned duties.

Register: Complete online pre-registration by 5:00 PM JST, October 23, 2026.

Submit Documents: Upload all application documents (CV, summary of achievements, list of achievements, planned duties, career plans, reprints) as a single PDF. Ensure two referees directly upload their recommendation letters by 2:00 PM JST, October 30, 2026.

For full eligibility details, the list of host laboratories, and application forms, please visit the official job page:

[Link to Official RIKEN Job Page]

We look forward to welcoming you to RIKEN!

Contact for General Inquiries:

RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow Desk

Information Research Promotion Division, RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters

Email: research-engineer@ml.riken.jp

Subject line must be: “RIKEN Research Engineer Fellow Inquiry: 26-MMDD” (replace MMDD with the month and day).

(Note: For inquiries regarding specific host laboratories, please contact the respective laboratory directly as listed in the official guidelines.)