The Riken Early Career Leaders Program (ECL Program) stands as a beacon for promising researchers aiming to establish independent labs and propel their innovative research projects. Building upon the success of the RIKEN Hakubi Fellows Program, the ECL Program is meticulously designed to cultivate the next generation of research leaders within RIKEN, Japan’s premier research institution. This initiative provides a unique platform for early career scientists to flourish, offering substantial resources and a supportive ecosystem to realize their ambitious research visions.
Overview of the RIKEN ECL Program
Recognizing the pivotal role of early career researchers in driving scientific advancement, RIKEN established the ECL Program to offer two distinct positions: Team Leader and Unit Leader. These roles are strategically tailored for researchers in the natural sciences, encompassing mathematical and information sciences, and interdisciplinary fields bridging natural sciences with humanities and social sciences. The program’s core mission is to empower researchers by providing an optimal research environment meticulously aligned with their individual research plans and career trajectories.
Successful applicants to the RIKEN ECL Program gain access to significant operational funds, enabling them to build and lead their own laboratories. This includes the autonomy to recruit researchers and technical staff, fostering a dynamic and collaborative research environment. Furthermore, PIs within the ECL Program can leverage RIKEN’s central budget to host a diverse array of talented researchers, including Special Postdoctoral Researchers, JSPS Postdoctoral Researchers, Junior Research Associates, International Program Associates, and RIKEN Student Researchers. Beyond funding, the program facilitates access to RIKEN’s cutting-edge facilities and shared equipment, and fosters invaluable interactions with researchers across a multitude of disciplines. Mentorship from seasoned researchers is also a key component, providing guidance on effective laboratory management and career development. The RIKEN ECL Program is committed to nurturing talent and offers diverse career pathways, including opportunities to transition to indefinite-term PI positions within RIKEN.
The FY 2024 call for applications for both Team Leader and Unit Leader positions, commencing in April 2023, aims to onboard successful candidates to RIKEN in FY 2024. This program represents a significant investment in early career researchers, providing the launchpad for them to lead their own laboratories and pursue groundbreaking research at RIKEN.
RIKEN ECL Team Leader: Lead Your Own Research Team
The RIKEN ECL Team Leader position is tailored for exceptionally talented junior researchers who are driven to undertake ambitious research endeavors with significant scientific and societal impact. This prestigious program offers the opportunity to become an independent Principal Investigator (PI), empowering researchers to lead their own teams and advance their research at the forefront of their fields.
Key Features of the RIKEN ECL Team Leader Position:
- Term: 7 years
- Salary: JPY 910,000 per month
- Research Budget: An average of JPY 30 million per year
This substantial support package provides Team Leaders with the resources and stability necessary to pursue high-risk, high-reward research projects and establish themselves as leaders in their respective domains.
RIKEN ECL Unit Leader: Develop Unique Research at RIKEN
The RIKEN ECL Unit Leader position is designed for talented junior researchers with a passion for pursuing unique and innovative research directions. This track emphasizes providing a flexible research environment, particularly within a RIKEN research center or equivalent, to foster the development of groundbreaking ideas. Recognizing the importance of nurturing diverse talents, the Unit Leader position offers a pathway to independence and research leadership within RIKEN.
Key Features of the RIKEN ECL Unit Leader Position:
- Term: 7 years (extended from FY 2024)
- Salary: JPY 710,000 per month
- Research Budget: An average of JPY 10 million per year
The Unit Leader position provides a robust platform for researchers to cultivate their unique research agendas and contribute novel perspectives to the RIKEN research landscape. The extended term from FY 2024 further reinforces RIKEN’s commitment to long-term support and career development for Unit Leaders.
FY 2024 Call for Proposals & Sechi Kato Program
RIKEN actively encourages applications from outstanding early career researchers for the FY 2024 intake of the ECL Program. Detailed information regarding the application process, eligibility criteria, and research areas can be found at the official call for proposals page:
FY 2024 Call for RIKEN ECL Team Leaders / Unit Leaders (Sechi Kato Program)
For frequently asked questions and further clarifications about the program, please refer to the comprehensive FAQ section:
Furthermore, RIKEN is dedicated to promoting gender diversity in research through initiatives like the Sechi Kato Program. This program, established in FY 2018, aims to empower promising female researchers with a global perspective and a spirit of inquiry, enabling them to become leaders on the international stage. Named after Kato Sechi (1893-1989), a pioneering female scientist in chemical analysis and RIKEN’s first female Chief Scientist, the Sechi Kato Program provides additional support to female researchers within the ECL Program.
The Sechi Kato Program extends to both Team Leader and Unit Leader positions within the RIKEN ECL Program, offering supplementary research expenses of up to JPY 10 million annually, in addition to the standard research funding provided by the ECL Program. More information about the Sechi Kato Program can be found here:
Flyer for the FY 2024 Call for RIKEN ECL Team / Unit Leaders (Sechi Kato Program)
Meet the RIKEN ECL Principal Investigators
The RIKEN ECL Program has already attracted a cohort of exceptional early career researchers who are now leading their own research teams and units at RIKEN. Get to know some of the PIs and their exciting research areas:
RIKEN ECL Team Leaders
Tadashi Hashimoto
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science Meson RIKEN ECL Research Team
Research topic
Exploring novel forms of matter containing an anti-kaon and interdisciplinary application of superconducting X-ray detectors
Self-introduction
My research delves into the fundamental question of how diverse matter evolves in the microscopic world, from quarks to nucleons and atomic nuclei, guided by quantum chromodynamics. I investigate mysteries such as nucleon mass acquisition and the hierarchy between nucleons and atomic nuclei by embedding mesons into atomic nuclei and analyzing property changes. Furthermore, I aim to broaden the application of superconducting X-ray detectors, initially developed for nuclear physics, to fields like atomic and molecular physics. (Starting date: April 1, 2024)
Shuntaro Tani
Shuntaro Tani, RIKEN ECL Team Leader, pioneering digital twin technology for light-matter interaction research.
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Digital Twin for Light-Matter Interaction RIKEN ECL Research Team RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics Digital Twin for Light-Matter Interaction RIKEN ECL Research Team
Research topic
Constructing Digital Twin for Multi-Scale Phenomena Driven by Photo-Excitation
Self-introduction
My research focuses on the interaction of intense laser fields with materials, a frontier enabled by advancements in laser technology. These powerful light fields, comparable to interatomic bonds, hold immense potential for precise laser processing and material state control. However, the fundamental physics governing irreversible processes like solid fragmentation remains unclear. My project aims to develop a method for extracting the ‘context’ of these phenomena through automated microscopic observation, elucidating the governing equations of material transformation and constructing a digital twin for process optimization. (Starting date: May 1, 2024)
Masayuki Oginuma
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Chrono-Developmental Biology RIKEN ECL Research Team RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Chrono-Developmental Biology RIKEN ECL Research Team
Research topic
Elucidation of the time control mechanisms during embryonic development
Self-introduction
My research explores the fascinating ‘blueprint of time’ in organisms, particularly the precise timing of embryonic development. While embryonic development is governed by a genetic clock, the molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. I study the turquoise killifish, which can suspend embryonic development (diapause), to understand this clock-stopping phenomenon. By clarifying the diapause mechanism, I aim to reveal the broader molecular mechanisms of the ‘blueprint of time’ and its applicability across organisms. (Starting date: May 1, 2024)
Shihori Yokobayashi
Dr. Shihori Yokobayashi, RIKEN ECL Team Leader, investigating epigenome diversity and its impact on cell fate.
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Epigenome Dynamics RIKEN ECL Research Team RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences Epigenome Dynamics RIKEN ECL Research Team
Research topic
Understanding the molecular basis of epigenome diversity
Self-introduction
My research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic diversity, focusing on germline development and epigenome regulation. Epigenome information enables diverse cell types from a single genome, dynamically regulated throughout life. I aim to understand the molecular basis of epigenome diversity and its influence on cellular responses to environmental cues and cell fate changes. My research utilizes cell- and tissue-level analyses in mammals, including humans, to explore the link between epigenome diversity and individual phenotypic diversity in areas like disease susceptibility. (Starting date: August 1, 2024)
Reina Komiya
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Reproductive System RIKEN ECL Research Team
Research topic
Reproductive Non-coding RNA System in Plants
Self-introduction
My research is deeply connected to rice cultivation, a cornerstone of Japanese history and culture. I focus on the reproductive system of rice, crucial for seed productivity. My aim is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of reproductive non-coding RNAs and their interacting partners in plant reproduction. Ultimately, I intend to develop RNA regulation tools using functional RNAs adapted to diverse environments, enhancing crop resilience and yield. (Starting date: September 1, 2024)
Makoto Saito
Makoto Saito, RIKEN ECL Team Leader, leveraging AI-driven genome mining for next-generation therapeutics discovery.
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Biophenomena Engineering RIKEN ECL Research Team
Research topic
Exploring natural diversity to develop next-generation therapeutics
Self-introduction
Driven by curiosity about the molecular orchestration of life and a desire to combat diseases, my research focuses on harnessing nature’s biological systems for therapeutic innovation. Despite vast genomic data from diverse organisms, our understanding of biomolecule function remains limited. Inspired by CRISPR-Cas, I believe nature holds undiscovered biological systems with therapeutic potential. I aim to use AI-driven genome mining to identify novel biological systems, analyze and engineer biomolecules, and ultimately develop next-generation therapeutics for intractable diseases. (Starting date: January 1, 2025)
RIKEN ECL Unit Leaders
Yukako Fujishiro
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science Extreme Quantum Matter Physics RIKEN ECL Research Unit RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Extreme Quantum Matter Physics RIKEN ECL Research Unit
Research topic
Exploration of new electronic functionality in single-crystalline quantum materials under extreme conditions
Self-introduction
My research explores the fascinating phenomena arising from complex electron interactions in quantum materials. My previous work focused on electronic responses from topological spin textures. I believe manipulating material parameters more flexibly can unlock even more intriguing functionalities. My research unit engineers quantum phases previously inaccessible using microfabrication with focused ion beams to induce high-density currents, ultra-high pressure, or ion-intercalation, creating “extreme” conditions to uncover unprecedented electronic functionalities. (Starting date: April 1, 2024)
Toshitake Asabuki
Dr. Toshitake Asabuki, RIKEN ECL Unit Leader, developing brain-inspired neural circuit models for hierarchical learning.
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Center for Brain Science Hierarchical Neural Computation RIKEN ECL Research Unit RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Hierarchical Neural Computation RIKEN ECL Research Unit
Research topic
Building brain-inspired neural circuit models for learning hierarchical predictive features
Self-introduction
My research investigates the brain’s remarkable ability to learn and adapt by hierarchically organizing information. I focus on mathematically modeling “synaptic plasticity,” the adaptation of neuron connections through experience, to understand how neural circuits learn salient features. In my lab, I aim to build models of synaptic plasticity where multiple neural circuits collaborate in learning, replicating experimental data to deepen our understanding of flexible neural information processing. (Starting date: June 1, 2024)
Naoko Satoh-Takayama
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences Precision Immune Regulation RIKEN ECL Research Unit RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Precision Immune Regulation RIKEN ECL Research Unit
Research topic
Spatial understanding of immune responses regulated by microenvironmental changes
Self-introduction
My lifelong interest in immunology, sparked by childhood atopic dermatitis, led me to discover group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), a novel immune cell in the intestinal tract. ILC3s are highly sensitive to microenvironmental changes, altering their phenotype and function. My future research aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which microenvironmental changes regulate immune responses from a spatial perspective within tissues and organs, contributing to a deeper understanding of immune regulation. (Starting date: June 1, 2024)
Kei Murata
Kei Murata, RIKEN ECL Unit Leader, innovating transition-metal photocatalysis for sustainable molecular transformations.
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Molecular Photocatalysis RIKEN ECL Research Unit RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Molecular Photocatalysis RIKEN ECL Research Unit
Research topic
Development of innovative transition-metal catalyzed reactions driven by visible/near-infrared light
Self-introduction
My research focuses on developing visible/near-infrared light-driven photoreactions using transition-metal complexes for applications like carbon dioxide conversion and drug release. Photochemical reactions, mimicking natural photosynthesis, offer unique reaction pathways and solar energy utilization. I develop photocatalysts to achieve diverse molecular transformations through light energy, substrate capture, and product release cycles. My cross-disciplinary approach, combining organometallic chemistry, photochemistry, and biochemistry, aims to create new methodologies for molecular transformations that address global environmental and medical challenges. (Starting date: September 1, 2024)
Dongbo Shi
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Cambial Stem Cell System RIKEN ECL Research Unit RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Cambial Stem Cell System RIKEN ECL Research Unit
Research topic
Elucidating the stem cell systems that enable continuous plant growth
Self-introduction
My research explores the fascinating continuous growth of plants, driven by stem cells, particularly cambial stem cells responsible for secondary growth and plant size. Cambial stem cells self-maintain, differentiate, and respond to environmental cues. I aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of cambial stem cell function, revealing plant-specific growth mechanisms at the cellular level and exploring the evolutionary differences in survival strategies between plants and animals. (Starting date: October 1, 2024)
Leo Speidel
Leo Speidel, RIKEN ECL Unit Leader, developing statistical genomics tools to unravel human evolution.
Name of laboratory
RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit
Research topic
Developing powerful statistical techniques to uncover human origins and millennia of genome evolution
Self-introduction
My research focuses on developing statistical tools to analyze DNA differences and reveal human evolutionary history, including migrations, adaptations, and interactions with extinct species like Neanderthals. Utilizing biobank-scale sequencing and ancient DNA, I reconstruct “genetic family trees” across the genome to trace genetic material back millions of years. This enables the study of genome evolution and its impact on human health, from recent history to the origins of our species. (Starting date: November 1, 2024)
