The RIKEN ECL Program offers highly talented junior researchers with no prior PI experience or limited PI experience the chance to pursue an original research plan. To accommodate researchers at different career stages and with varying research plans, two position types are available: ECL Unit Leader and ECL Team Leader. The mission of the RIKEN ECL Program is to develop the next generation of international scientific leaders who will pioneer new fields of research. We greatly look forward to receiving your applications. 

Job title 

Qualifications
Applicants should be junior researchers who have the appropriate knowledge, experience, and ability to supervise and promote research.

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, Life Sciences, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences (those which border/blend elements of the above fields)

Research environment 

• Annual research budget 

  Team Leader: an average of 30 million yen per fiscal year

  Unit Leader: an average of 10 million yen per fiscal year

  Note: In addition to an annual budget, RIKEN will also provide financial support for lab setup costs. 
Female researchers in the program are eligible for the Sechi Kato Program and can receive up to 10 million yen in additional research funding per year. 
• Location
  The RIKEN campus where their host center is located A variety of programs are available for balancing work and personal life, including on-campus childcare facilities, support for returning to work after a break, and subsidies for hiring support staff for researchers with family commitments. 

Start of employment 

Between July 1, 2027, and December 1, 2027 (negotiable)
An earlier start date may be negotiated upon request.

Term of employment 

The maximum term of appointment is seven years. 

Note: For ECL Team/Unit Leaders who take childbirth or childcare leave during their employment, the employment period may be extended by the length of time equal to the duration of leave.

Salary  

• The ECL Team Leader’s annual salary :10.92 million yen 
• The ECL Unit Leader’s annual salary :8.52 million yen 
  If the salary and benefits for ECL Team/Unit Leaders are lower than what they received in their previous position, they may be adjusted as appropriate based on a holistic consideration. 

Career

• ECL Unit Leaders are eligible to apply for a review for promotion to become an ECL Team Leader once during either the fourth or fifth year of their appointment. 
• In principle, ECL Team/Unit Leaders have the opportunity to apply for screening for indefinite-term PI positions in the fifth year of their appointment.
• ECL Team/Unit Leaders who are hired by universities or other institutes following their appointment at RIKEN receive the maximum support to continue and further develop their research. 

Deadline 

• July 9, 2026(noon, Japan time) for applicant preregistration. 
• July 16, 2026 (noon, Japan time) for uploading or revising application documents and letters of recommendation. 

For more information or to apply, please visit the website below. https://www.riken.jp/en/careers/programs/riken_ecl/call2026/index.html