Early Career Leaders (ECL) Program 2026

The Early Career Leaders (ECL) Program 2026 at RIKEN is a fully funded research leadership opportunity for early-career scientists who aim to become independent principal investigators. It offers salary, lab start-up funding, and annual research budgets, with candidates leading their own research teams and mentorship for lab management and career development.

Salary, lab start-up funding, and annual research budgets; mentorship and potential long-term career prospects within RIKEN.

Open to global applicants across major scientific fields, with selection based on leadership potential, research proposal, and track record.

Applications are anticipated to open in late April 2026 with a competitive screening process for selection.