Laboratory

Discrete Event Simulation Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Team Leader: Nobuyasu ITO)

Research field

The RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), led by Center Director Satoshi Matsuoka, is an international hub for computational science that promotes “science of computing, by computing, and for computing.” R-CSS positions the technology in which RIKEN has strengths (R-CCS technology) and the software developed by RIKEN that contributes to science, technology, industry, and society (R-CCS software) as its “core competence in computational science driving science as a whole.” R-CCS aims to develop these technologies, disseminate them domestically and internationally, and produce results. In addition, R-CCS is utilizing its expertise to operate the supercomputer “Fugaku” which was developed as a national project in accordance with Japanese laws and regulations.

The Discrete Event Simulation Research Team ("DESRT") performs cutting-edge research and development on discrete-event simulations and their wide applications, especially, simulations of social phenomena using agent-based models, and artificial-intelligence technologies towards so-called the "Society 5.0" and beyond.

Job title and job descriptions

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: 1 position

Job description

Conduct research and development of agent-based models for social phenomena on massive parallel HPC systems and their applications together with applications of artificial intelligence under the guidance of PI Dr. Nobuyasu Ito. The main target is to develop models of social and economic phenomena and simulate them with supercomputer, using GPS data from mobile phones and firm- and business establishment-level trade data. Application of quantum information processing is also in scope.
If the candidate has the following experience, that will be considered.

• Developed social/economic models based on available real data
• Execute agent-based simulators, especially on supercomputer
• Analyzed large scale data
• Carried out economics, network science, or statistical physics related research

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or expect to receive a Ph.D. before the date of appointment. In general, those who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years will be appointed as Postdoctoral Researchers, and those who earned a doctorate more than 5 years ago will be appointed as Research Scientists. Experience of parallel programming, simulations and data-mining of social and economics phenomena, and artificial intelligence technologies is expected. Knowledge on quantum information processing is also expected.

Work location

Branch and address

RIKEN Center for Computational Science
7-1-26, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, JAPAN

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

Salary and benefits

• 1.(Research Scientist) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to seven years since the initial date of hire.
• 2.(Postdoctoral Researcher) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to five years since the initial date of hire.
• 3.RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 65 years.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied. Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
No smoking on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity, and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003, and eligible applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

Application and required documents

Required documents

Please prepare the following documents in English.

• 1.CV
  No format specified. Please make sure to include applicant's name, date of birth, nationality, academic background, work history including the applicant's current affiliation, and email address.
• 2.List of research achievements
  Include not only peer-reviewed papers but also awards and competitive funds received, achievements in research while working in the private sectors. Also include quantitative evaluation indexes such as the Google Scholar citation index as much as possible.
• 3.Copies of up to five most important publications (Please mark the papers on the list of publications.)
  When the original publications are not in PDF format, scan the papers and save them as PDF documents prior to submission.
• 4.Description of previous research, future research plans, and career goals: No format specified, approximately three to four A4 pages in total. It is desirable that a diagram describing the research is provided.
• 5.Recommendation letter(s) (in English) from one or two individual(s) with their signatures One recommendation letter should be written by the applicant’s current supervisor. When it is difficult to do so, a recommendation letter written by a third party may be accepted. The letter should be addressed to RIKEN R-CCS Director. Digital signature image should be embedded in the recommendation letters within the PDF file.
• 6.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
  If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR" with your signature.

  *You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
  Data protection | European Commission

How to apply

Combine the above documents except the recommendation letters into a single PDF file and upload them to the following link:

Applications for R-CCS Discrete Event Simulation Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “R-CCS2106, Discrete Event Simulation Research Team” and the applicant’s name. Please write the name of the position that you apply for in the “Add additional information” box.
After you uploaded the PDF file, please let us (kobe-jobs[at]riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. When you send us an email, please write your name, Job Ad number and the name of the position that you apply for.
When the recommendation letter is directly submitted from the referees, please ask them to send it to (kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) by attaching it to the email. Please write "R-CCS Discrete Event Simulation Research Team, [name of the position], [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)” in the subject line and specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the email.

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp.

We recommend applicants to contact us by email on employment conditions and subjects of research/development in advance to your formal application.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Handling Personal Data

Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and interviews will be conducted for selected applicants (2 interviews for Research Scientist position and one interview for Postdoctoral Researcher position.) No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Start of employment

At the earliest opportunity (negotiable)

Notes

Application files will not be returned.

• Updated as of Nov. 16, 2022:　"Salary and benefits"
• Updated as of May. 19, 2023:　"Work location" and "Salary and benefits"
• Updated as of Aug. 3, 2023:　"Research field" and "Application and required documents"

Contact Information / Send application to

Combine all the application documents into a single PDF document and submit to the email address below.
Email: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp

Please use the subject line "[R-CCS2106] R-CCS Discrete-Event Simulation Research Team – Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher" when applying.

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Team Leader by email:

Nobuyasu Ito
Discrete-Event Simulation Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: nobuyasu.ito [at] riken.jp