RIKEN Early Career Leaders Programme

Programme offering talented early career researchers the opportunity to undertake independent research in the natural or mathematical sciences while leading a research team or unit at a RIKEN research facility in Japan.

RIKEN, Japan’s largest comprehensive research institution, is renowned for high quality research in a diverse range of scientific disciplines. Founded in 1917 as a private research foundation in Tokyo, RIKEN encompasses a network of world-class research centres and institutes across Japan.

The RIKEN Early Career Leaders (ECL) Programme offers talented junior Principal Investigators (PIs) the opportunity to conduct creative and ambitious research in the natural and mathematical sciences, including research areas bordering the humanities and social sciences, while leading an independent research team or unit at a RIKEN institute or facility in Japan.

Researchers receive salary and a research budget to establish and manage independent laboratory space and hire researchers and technical staff. Team and unit leaders can also use various RIKEN facilities and shared-use equipment and will have opportunities to interact with researchers in a variety of research fields.

Proposals intended to resolve urgent issues that humankind faces today (eg the United Nations SDGs) are especially welcomed.

ECL Team Leaders

Team leaders will receive funding for a maximum period of seven years to manage a research team to conduct a proposed research programme. Team leaders can apply for fixed-term PI and indefinite-term PI positions within RIKEN and will receive assistance and advice from the chair of the RIKEN ECL Program subcommittee and mentors for setting up the research team and for day-to-day laboratory management.

ECL Unit Leaders

Unit Leaders will receive funding for a maximum per of five years to conduct research while based at a RIKEN host centre (pdf link) in Japan. The ECL Unit Leader can apply for fixed-term PI and indefinite-term PI positions within RIKEN and will receive assistance and advice from the host centre, mentors, and the chair of the RIKEN ECL Program subcommittee for setting up the research unit and for day-to-day laboratory management.