Laboratory

Processor Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Team Leader: Kentaro Sano)

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 research team will work on quantum error correction, which is essential for a fault -tolerant general-purpose quantum computer that is expected to be achieve by 2050, in collaboration with experts in quantum computation and quantum/classical interfaces to realize high-performance error detection. We will conduct elemental research on quantum error correction algorithms, their parallel processing schemes, dedicated hardware design, and system design of FPGA clusters, to develop experimental systems for scalable quantum error correction.

Job title and job descriptions

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: a few positions

Job description

Toward the realization of a fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computer, research will be conducted to allow large-scale, high-throughput, and low-latency quantum error correction under the project under the Moonshot Program of Goal 6. The researcher will conduct one or some of the following elemental studies: quantum error correction codes, correction algorithms, their parallel processing methods, dedicated hardware design, implementation and evaluation using FPGA, quantum error simulation and error performance evaluation. In collaboration with other researchers involved in this research project, we will eventually construct an experimental system using an FPGA cluster to demonstrate the proof-of-concept of the system that realizes the error correction processing required for future fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computers. If necessary, we will collaborate and cooperate with other research teams at R-CCS and RIKEN, other research groups in the Moonshot research project, and researchers from domestic and overseas research institutes, universities, and industries.
In addition to the execution of the above R&D tasks, the successful candidate will also be responsible for various tasks at the research team to which he/she is assigned and at the Center for Computational Science.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a doctoral degree in a related field or expect to receive a doctoral degree before the date of appointment. In general, those who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years will be appointed as Postdoctoral Researcher, and those who earned a doctorate more than 5 years ago will be appointed as Research Scientist.
Applicants should be familiar with either computer architecture, special-purpose computer hardware, digital circuit design, software design, high performance processing or parallel processing, code theory or error correction algorithms, quantum computers, or quantum error correction. Experience in research and development related to the above job descriptions is preferred, but applicants with backgrounds in general computer architecture and circuit design, parallel processing, error correction algorithms, and quantum computing, as well as those from other related fields, are also accepted. Applicants do not necessarily need to have expert knowledge of quantum computers but should have the willingness and ability to actively seek to deepen their understanding of areas outside of their own expertise.
Applicants should also possess the balance between collaboration and independent research, communication skills, and the positive attitude to explore and develop research topics on their own, which is necessary to carry out research. Preference will be given to applicants who are willing and able to tackle challenging issues toward the realization of a fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computer, which requires cooperation between experts in quantum computation and computer science, and who possess sufficient communication skills in English.

Work location

Branch and address

RIKEN Center for Computational Science
6-3-5, 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.One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, but not beyond the end of March, 2026.
• 2.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.

*The project will undergo a stage-gate review in FY2025, and if the project continues as a result of that review, another open call might be set up for the continuing project.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period.
Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. The monthly base salary is 290,200 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher and 417,300 JPY for Research Scientist as of April 1, 2022. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.
Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.
The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 389,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher and 600,000 JPY for Research Scientist.
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.
Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days per year depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (childcare, family nursing care, etc.), and work-life balance holidays (up to 7 days per year depending on the month of employment).
There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
No smoking on site
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

The Kobe Branch has an on-site daycare, PO-I Kids Kobe.
For details, please send an email to the HR at kobe-kosei [at] riken.jp.
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. List of external funds acquired, awards received, and other achievements including, contributions to university/institution operations, contribution to society through activities in academic societies, joint research projects, technology transfers, etc.
• 5.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.
• 6.Recommendation letters in English from one or two persons who can evaluate your work
  • *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 letters should be addressed to R-CCS Director. Digital signature image can be embedded in the recommendation letters within the PDF file. Or please specify the referee’s contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address) in the letter.
• 7.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 into a single PDF file and upload them to the following website:

Applications for R-CCS Processor Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “R-CCS2211, Processor 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.
If the recommendation letter is directly submitted from the referees, please send it to (kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) by attaching it to the email. Please write "R-CCS2211 Processor 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.

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

December 1, 2022 or later, at the earliest opportunity (subject to negotiation)

Notes

Application files will not be returned.

Updated as of June. 5, 2023:　"Work location", "Salary and benefits"

Contact Information

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Team Leader by email:
Kentaro Sano
Processor Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: kentaro.sano [at] riken.jp