RIKEN Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) Program FY 2027 | Postdoctoral Fellowship in Japan
Organization
RIKEN
Duration
3 years from the date of appointment.
Fellowship Amount
Annual Salary: ¥6,600,000 (paid in monthly installments of ¥550,000). Research Budget: ¥1,000,000 per year for independent research.
Overview
About the Organization
RIKEN is Japan's largest comprehensive research institution for basic and applied science. The Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) Program supports talented early-career researchers by enabling them to pursue independent research aligned with RIKEN's scientific objectives while providing generous research funding and career development opportunities.
Fellowship Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) FY 2027 |
| Organization | RIKEN |
| Country | Japan |
| Positions | Around 70 |
| Fellowship Duration | 3 Years |
| Research Funding | ¥1,000,000 per year (additional funding possible) |
| Start Period | Between 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2028 |
Who Can Apply
Applicants who:
- Hold or expect to obtain a Ph.D. by the date of appointment.
- Obtained their Ph.D. on or after 1 January 2021 (with certain exceptions for career breaks).
- Are capable of conducting independent research.
- Have not previously participated in the SPDR or FPR programs.
Why Apply
- Annual salary of ¥6.6 million.
- Independent research with discretionary funding.
- Additional research budget support.
- Opportunity to collaborate with world-leading scientists.
- Access to RIKEN's advanced research facilities.
- Possibility of working in diverse scientific disciplines.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ph.D. awarded on or after 1 January 2021, or expected before joining.
- Independent research capability.
- Research proposal aligned with a host RIKEN laboratory.
- Previous SPDR/FPR fellows are not eligible.
Fellowship Details
-
Fellowship Amount:
- Annual salary: ¥6,600,000, paid in monthly installments (¥550,000 per month, inclusive of social insurance and taxes).
- Additional benefits include commuting allowance, partial housing allowance, relocation support, and ¥1,000,000 annual research budget, with the possibility of receiving up to an additional ¥1,000,000 twice during the fellowship after review.
-
Duration:
- Three years from the date of appointment (normally beginning 1 April 2027).
-
Age Limit:
- No age limit specified.
-
Test Scores Accepted:
- No standardized test scores (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) are required.
-
Eligibility Criteria:
- Ph.D. awarded on or after 1 January 2021, or expected before appointment.
- Ability to independently conduct research.
- Research proposal approved by a RIKEN host laboratory.
- Previous SPDR/FPR participants are not eligible.
-
Important Dates:
- Basic Information Registration Deadline: 2 April 2026 (5:00 PM JST)
- Application & Reference Letter Deadline: 9 April 2026 (5:00 PM JST)
- Stage-I Results: Late June to Early July 2026
- Stage-II Interviews: July–August 2026
- Final Results: Mid to Late September 2026
- Fellowship Start: Between 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2028.
Selection Process
- Document Screening.
- Interview (Wako Campus or Online).
- Final Selection.
Important Dates
- Basic Registration: 2 April 2026
- Final Application Submission: 9 April 2026
- Interviews: July–August 2026
- Final Results: September 2026
- Fellowship Commencement: FY 2027.
How to Apply
Applicants must first identify a RIKEN host laboratory, register through the RIKEN online application system, upload all required documents in PDF format, and arrange for reference letters before the application deadline.
Brochure URL
https://www.riken.jp/en/careers/programs/spdr/career2027/
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Financial Support
Fellowship Amount: Annual Salary: ¥6,600,000 (paid in monthly installments of ¥550,000). Research Budget: ¥1,000,000 per year for independent research.
Eligibility Criteria
Be capable of conducting independent research.
Secure acceptance from a RIKEN host laboratory.
Be available to start during FY 2027 (1 April 2027–31 March 2028).
Previous participants in the SPDR or FPR programs are not eligible.
Important Dates
| 0 | Basic Information Registration Deadline: 2 April 2026 (5:00 PM JST) |
| 1 | Stage-I Results: Late June to Early July 2026 |
| 2 | Stage-II Interviews: July–August 2026 |
| 3 | Final Results: Mid to Late September 2026 |
| 4 | Fellowship Start: Between 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2028. |
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