Head of R&D
1. About Us
NanoFrontier is a research-driven startup that provides end-to-end solutions from design to mass production and quality assurance for materials in energy, environment, and pharmaceutical fields, centered around nanoparticle generation technology through reprecipitation method developed over many years at Tohoku University. We also provide nanoparticle manufacturing services and technology licensing, rapidly advancing joint research and PoC with manufacturers and academic institutions in Sendai (main base) and Tokyo (collaboration base).
2. Role & Responsibilities
With the recent increase in joint research and PoC projects at NanoFrontier, we need leadership that can balance research operations standardization with invention creation. This position will organize experimental planning, recording standards, and review operations, establish standard protocols, and advance patent pipelines. We’re looking for someone who can establish hypothesis→verification→learning systems and connect research and development content to business.
What You’ll Gain
- Develop products and technologies that customers need, with commercialization in mind
- 0→1 research environment construction (large discretion from equipment selection to operation)
- Can achieve results ahead of schedule as the main person in charge of industry-academia collaboration
- Fast decision-making in small teams
3. Key Responsibilities
- Design mechanisms for research theme selection and progress management, manage progress step by step
- Oversee experimental plan approval and data recording methods (electronic lab notebooks) operations
- Establish criteria when transferring research data and results to process development teams
- Coordinate timing of patent and academic presentation publications, check manuscripts
- Manage team member hiring, development, evaluation, and resource allocation
- Plan department expenses and investment plans, confirm progress and achievement indicators (KPIs) weekly
4. Requirements, Skills & Experience
Required
- Alignment with NanoFrontier’s business and mission
- Experience in organic nanoparticle/colloid dispersion/crystallization synthesis or evaluation (5+ years) or PhD
- Experience operating analytical instruments that can evaluate particle size and dispersion state like DLS
- Experience in small laboratory setup and operation (safety management, chemical substance regulation compliance, waste liquid treatment, etc.)
Preferred
- Condition optimization using experimental design methods (DOE) and statistical analysis
- Creating experimental records and procedures for reproducibility assurance
- Experience in continuous synthesis/flow chemistry, scale-up experiments
- Technical leadership in industry-academia collaboration and joint research, experience in technical reporting for grants (NEDO/JST, etc.)
- Data processing and simple script creation using Python/R/Matlab, etc.
- Practical experience in patent specification drafting and prior art searches
What We’re Looking For
- Someone who can quickly cycle through hypothesis→experiment→review
- Someone with a sense of balance for safety, quality, and speed
- Someone who can collaborate with other departments while working hands-on in small organizations
5. Location & Work Style
- Location: Sendai
- Work style: Hybrid (4-5 days in office per week)
- Work hours: Full flex (core hours 10:00-16:00)
6. Benefits & Welfare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Holidays & Leave | ・Complete 5-day workweek ・Annual paid leave ・Year-end and New Year holidays |
| Insurance | Complete social insurance coverage |
| Housing | Company housing system available |
| PC & IT Tools | PC provided. ChatGPT usage covered by company. Other necessary IT tools available through consultation and application |
| Health Support | Massage and gym usage support |
| Meal Support | Tohoku University cafeteria meal card provided (under adjustment) |
| Career Development | Support for qualifications, technical books, exam costs, etc. |
| Grant Incentives | Incentive design for grant acquisition |
| Relocation Support | For relocation from Tokyo to Sendai: Up to 1 million yen relocation bonus through Sendai City relocation support program For relocation from other regions: Under adjustment |
7. Selection Process
- Casual interview: 30-60 minutes
- Technical interview & discussion: 60+ minutes
- Offer interview & final decision
※ Results for each selection process will be provided within 3 business days. Steps may be omitted based on candidate circumstances.
8. Company Information
- Company Name: NanoFrontier Inc. (Headquarters: 2F Urban Net Sendai Central Building, 4-4-19 Central, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture)
- Corporate Philosophy: “Toward a society where all resources circulate smoothly and are utilized in optimal forms”
- Business Areas:
- (1) Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of reagents and functional materials using organic nanoparticle technology
- (2) Contract manufacturing of organic nanoparticles and provision of related technologies
- (3) Technology licensing and technical consulting in the field of organic nanoparticle technology
- (4) All businesses incidental to the above
- https://nanofrontier.jp/
9. How to Apply
Please apply through our recruitment page application form.