News
About Us
At the Pioneering Research Institute, outstanding researchers with rich research achievements and strong leadership abilities serve as leaders of Chief Scientist Laboratories, from where they carry out innovative fundamental research, pioneer new research fields, and carry on research that crosses disciplinary and organizational barriers."
Research Field
Physics
Exploration of the basic laws of nature and elucidation of various phenomena.
Chemistry
Research on structures and reactions of substances and development of new materials.
Biology
Elucidation of biological structures and functions and exploration of the mystery of life.
Engineering
Design and development of technologies and systems through application of scientific theories.
Research Organization
Director
Motoko Kotani
Deputy Director
Hideki Ueno
Deputy Director
Katsunori Tanaka
Chief Scientist Laboratories
In order to achieve the mission of the RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute, scientists with outstanding research achievements, broad perspectives and excellent leadership abilities are recruited as to as the leaders of Chief Scientist Laboratories. Chief Scientists carry out their own research based on a long-term perspective,
RIKEN Hakubi Research Teams
In the Hakubi Fellows Program, RIKEN offers junior PI positions for independent research by exceptionally talented individuals. The program, established in 2017, encourages active exchange between the fellows, and seeks to develop the next generation of leading researchers with a global outlook.
RIKEN ECL Research Team /
RIKEN ECL Research Unit
The RIKEN ECL Program offers 2 types of positions: Team Leader and Unit Leader. The positions focus on natural sciences (including mathematical science and information science) or research areas bordering/blending natural sciences with humanities and social sciences, and provide researchers with an appropriate research environment corresponding to their research plan and career stage.
Researcher Story
09
When Chemistry Meets Biology
Research Scientist, Molecule Creation LaboratoryAyaka Ueda
08
Looking Beyond the Stop Codon
Postdoctoral Researcher, RNA Systems Biochemistry LaboratoryTaisei Wakigawa
07
Beyond the Surface: Revealing the Hidden Structure of Water
Research Scientist, Molecular Spectroscopy LaboratoryWoongmo Sung
06
The challenge of exploring the origin of the universe
―Expanding the vision of the universe at the Pioneering Research Institute―
05
When studying discrete objects in geometry,
they always lead to a continuous object in the limit.
Director, RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute (PRI)Motoko Kotani
04
The Cornerstone That Supports All Scientific Fields
Continuing to Challenge New Areas of Spectroscopy
Chief Scientist, Molecular Spectroscopy LaboratoryTahei Tahara
03
Overcoming Research Challenges in the U.S.:
Advancing Beyond Nanotechnology and Exploring New Frontiers in Quantum Science
Chief Scientist, Nanoscale Quantum Photonics LaboratoryYuichiro Kato
02
Chromosome Research That Has Rewritten the Textbooks
Seeking New Knowledge That Will Become a Treasure for Humanity
Chief Scientist, Chromosome Dynamics LaboratoryTatsuya Hirano
01
Elucidating “Why the Earth Became the Planet of Miracles”
from Both Physical and Chemical Approaches
Chief Scientist, Star and Planet Formation LaboratoryNami Sakai