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Outline of the Associate Chief Scientist program

1. Objective
The Associate Chief Scientist is an autonomous position introduced in April 2006 with the long-term objective of fostering the development of scientists with character and drive who will take the lead in pioneering the next generation of scientific research through setting up and managing their own laboratory.

2. Research fields
This position is open to all research fields, but priority is given to those areas which can be expected to make the best use of RIKEN's resources and achieve remarkable progress.

3. Qualifications
Young and talented scientists with a long-term vision of the next generation of scientific endeavor, and with the proven ability to preside over their own autonomous laboratories will be considered as candidates for this new position. Open to all nationalities.

4. Position within RIKEN
Associate Chief Scientist laboratories are located within the Advanced Science Institute, the Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Research or the Harima Institute.

5. Location
In principle, Associate Research Scientist laboratories are located at RIKEN's Wako Campus in Saitama or at the Harima Institute in Hyogo. Laboratories may be situated at other RIKEN facilities however, if necessitated by the nature of the research undertaken.

6. Japanese and English titles
The position is titled Jun Shunin Kenkyuin in Japanese and Associate Chief Scientist in English.

7. Laboratory name
Associate Chief Scientist laboratories will be named after the Associate Chief Scientist and include a description of the laboratory's research topic. This is the same naming policy as for Chief Scientist laboratories.

8. Rights and responsibilities

(1)	The right to appoint fixed-term contract researchers; host Special Postdoctoral Researchers, Foreign Postdoctoral Researchers, International Program Associate and Junior Research Associates; and apply for the purchase of commodities, research funds, and laboratory space.
(2)	The responsibility to oversee the work of all laboratory members; manage the laboratory budget; and manage the maintenance and use of all laboratory equipment and instruments.
(3)	The Associate Chief Scientist does not have the right to hire tenured researchers, but a scientist who is already a tenured researcher at RIKEN can transfer to a laboratory headed by an Associate Chief Scientist.

9. Research funds

(1)	A grant of 20 million yen (10 million if the individual is hired from within RIKEN) will be provided for the startup of the laboratory.
(2)	In principle, the Associate Chief Scientist will be expected to actively seek competitive funding from both inside and outside of RIKEN.
(3)	The Associate Chief Scientist may apply for basic research and other research projects funded by RIKEN.

10. Evaluation

(1)	A review of research results will be made once every five years.
(2)	Associate Chief Scientists are not automatically promoted to the position of Chief Scientist, but they may apply for Chief Scientist positions.

11. Laboratory closure

(1)	The laboratory will be closed upon the retirement of the Associate Chief Scientist.
(2)	The Associate Chief Scientist will be expected to assist in ensuring the smooth transfer of laboratory members to other facilities.

12. Salary ranking
Level 6

13. Type of remuneration
Annual salary (with a bonus system)

14. Type of employment
Fulltime (with RIKEN as primary employer)

15. Term of employment
To mandatory retirement at age 60.

16. Advisor
A system exists to provide advice and support in running and closing the laboratory. However, this will not interfere with the independence of the laboratory.

17. FAQ
Please refer to the FAQ for more detailed information.