Application Guidelines for F-REI Expert(Research Engineer)

The Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (commonly known as F-REI) is a special corporation established on April 1, 2023 under the Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of Fukushima. F-REI aims to be a world-premiere "center of excellence of creative reconstruction" that will serve as a hope for realizing the future and dream of Fukushima district as well as the other part of Tohoku region. We also expect this institute to lead the Japan's scientific and technological innovation as well as strengthen the industrial capabilities, therefore to contribute to the growth of economy and the human well-being.

To this end, the Institute prioritizes recruitment and infrastructure development for research and development activities led by Leaders of the research and development units. The Institute also plans to step up in stages its industrialization functions, such as support for creation of businesses and joint research with companies, as well as its human resource development function for partner graduate schools and the younger generation. To secure human resources, we are gradually shifting the outsourcing research to the in-house one to develop our own researchers (including cross-appointment) at F-REI.

In addition, F-REI is a new research institute that focuses on both "research and development" and "industrialization." We will create an environment in which highly specialized professionals (experts) who perform tasks such as revitalizing research activities and strengthening R&D management can play an active role as much as possible. This will ensure that integrated management from basic research to applied research and social implementation is carried out effectively. To achieve this, we are recruiting not only researchers but also highly specialized professionals (experts).

We invite prospective candidates to apply for the position of Expert (Research Engineer), in which the job is (1) to manage advanced R&D facilities (analytical and measurement equipment, high-performance computer, information networks, etc.) and (2) to collaborate with researchers in conducting experiments and simulations as well as in utilizing AI as a tool for accelerating research activities.

Expert (Research Engineer) is a professional who can communicate with researchers by using their high level of expertise and can perform various aspects of applied research including the development, management, and operation of advanced R&D facilities.

・Development, management, and operation of advanced R&D facilities (analytical and measurement facilities, high performance computing, information networks, etc.)

・Conducting experiments, simulations, AI utilization in the following research fields using these R&D facilities.

(1) Robotics (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

(2) Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (Agricultural Science, Agricultural Machinery Science, and Bioscience)

(3) Energy (Chemical Physics, Materials Science and Engineering)

(4) Radiation Science, Medicine, and Drug Development, and Industrial Applications for Radiation (Radiation Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences)

(5) Collection and Dissemination of Data and Knowledge on Nuclear Disasters (Environmental Science, Social Systems Engineering, and Sociology)

As of the time of this open recruitment, Experts (Research Engineer) will engage in two main tasks as mentioned below. However, with consideration of the applicant's experience and aptitude, we plan to further clarify the job description (specific tasks to be added later).

Main tasks: 

(1) Designing and managing advanced “AI for Science” labs

(2) Conducting research in the aforementioned “AI for Science” labs

For example, in order to carry out R&D tasks in each Research Unit, Experts (Research Engineer) are responsible for promoting automation, autonomy, and remoteization of experiments. They are also assigned to design and manage laboratories in which advanced experiments, calculations, and causal inference can be conducted interactively in real time. In addition, in the established laboratory, Experts (Research Engineer) will collaborate with researchers to conduct various R&D projects including but not limited to:

・Agriculture, forestry and fisheries: Integrated analysis and modeling of agricultural big data (soil, microorganisms, crops) in decontaminated soil

・Energy: Automatic synthesis and analysis of catalysts and polymer electrolytes

Applicants should:

1. Have a willingness to take full responsibility and dedication in carrying out the above duties

2. Have a degree equivalent to a master’s degree (a Ph.D degree is preferable)

3. Have good cooperative and communication skills

4. Have basic knowledge of and interest in F-REI's R&D

5. Have the ability to actively engage in practical work to resolve issues at F-REI, by utilizing the expertise acquired through on-site experience

6. Have a good command of spoken/written Japanese or English

After April 1, 2026

*The start date is negotiable.

- Tenure position: Indefinite 

- Tenure-track position: 3 years. The contract period may be extended based on consideration of ability, performance, and other circumstances.

Six months

(1) Working Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (break period: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.)

*When necessary, employees may be ordered to work outside the working hours.

*Flexible working hours are available.

* In principle, work is performed at the headquarters. Telework (remote work) is possible if the tasks can be effectively performed remotely and if approved by the supervisor.

(2) Holidays

Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays of Japan, and Year-end and New Year Holidays (from December 29 to January 3 in the following year)

(3) Types of Leave

Annual paid leave (granted according to the length of employment), sick leave, and special leave.

(4) Housing

Accommodation is available upon request. The rent has to be paid by employees. A part of the rent will be covered by F-REI.

(1) Salary

・Annual salary system will be adapted. 

It consists of a fixed salary paid at a fixed monthly rate and a performance salary paid in March of the following year based on the evaluation of annual performance.

・Estimated annual income (sum of fixed salary and performance salary when achieving standard grades, excluding various allowances):

7 million yen (including 5.2 million yen for fixed salary) - 32 million yen (including 24 million yen for fixed salary)

*NOTE* The salary shall be determined by comprehensive consideration of the applicant’s ability and experience, as well as the complexity, difficulty, and level of responsibility of the duties.

(2) Allowances

Other allowances will be paid in accordance with the rule of F-REI.

(3) Payment date

In principle, the fixed salary is paid on the 16th of each month.

Performance salary is paid in March of the following year after annual evaluation of performance. 

After the screening of documents, an interview will be conducted for qualified candidates.

- Document Screening: End of January 2026

- Interview Screening: Early to mid-February 2026

* After the screening of documents, applicants will be notified whether or not they have been selected for an interview.

* In principle, an interview will be conducted in person.

* F-REI will cover travel and accommodation expenses for the interview.

* The selection result will be notified via email regardless of whether your application has been accepted or not.

＜Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2026 (JST)>

Application documents must be written in Japanese (or English).

1)   CV (Form 1)

2)    List of Research and Development Achievements: A list of accomplishments in research and development activities, or achievements related to the job description described in “6. Duties” (format optional).)

3)    Statement of Aspirations for Work at the Organization: A written statement expressing your motivation and aspirations for working at this organization (Word format, approximately one A4 page, format optional).

4)    Overview of Research and Development Projects with Active Involvement: For up to three major projects listed in “2. List of Research and Development Achievements,” provide a one-slide summary for each in PowerPoint format. (Content of the slide: Purpose and objectives of the project, Implementation period, Applicant’s role and contributions, Project outcomes and achievements (outputs), Broader impacts on society or other sectors)

5)    Optional Submission: Persons who can provide a reference for the applicant (Form 2)

Personal information provided in application documents will be used exclusively for the purpose of selecting applicants and personnel/labor management after employment and will not be disclosed to any third parties.

Submitted documents will not be returned to applicant.

Please include the above-listed documents in the prescribed order above. All documents must be combined into a single PDF file and then submitted electronically via email.

Inquiries can be addressed to:

F-REI_RAetc@f-rei.go.jp

Phone: +81-240-41-9967

NAGANUMA (Mr.)

R&D Planning Division, Department of Research and Innovation, F-REI