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Seeking a Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher (W23076)

Laboratory

Superconducting Quantum Electronics Research Team
RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
(Team Leader: Yasunobu Nakamura)

Research Field

RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (RQC) aims to study quantum information theory, develop techniques for quantum control and measurement, build quantum computing hardware and software, and explore novel quantum technologies. We promote the progress of quantum information science and contribute to society through the application of quantum technologies.
Our team is involved in Quantum Leap Flagship Program in which we develop superconducting quantum circuits for quantum information processing. Through larger-scale integration of qubits, higher-fidelity control and readout, and longer coherence of qubits, we aim at the realization of a quantum computer. Therefore, we are hiring a postdoctoral researcher or a research scientist who has experience and expertise in experimental research on quantum electronics, quantum information science, condensed matter physics, etc.

For more information, please refer to the following webpage:
Superconducting Quantum Electronics Research Team

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: a few positions available

Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.
Research Scientist is defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.

Job description

Development of superconducting quantum computing systems.

Qualification

Candidates should possess or is expected to obtain a doctoral degree by the starting date. (Candidates for Postdoctoral Researcher should have experience of postdoctoral research of less than 5years.)

Work location

Branch and address

RIKEN Wako (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)

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

Salary and benefits

  • 1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable from the date of hire up to March 31, 2025, depending on evaluation. In the case of an extension of the laboratory termination date, Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Researcher may be reappointed for a period of up to end date of external funding: March 31, 2028 from the date of hire, but not to exceed the team establishment period.
  • 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.
  • 3.Postdoctoral Researcher is eligible for promotion to Research Scientist (Review will be placed in the 4th year).

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 will be 350,300-444,900 JPY for Research Scientist, and 295,100 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, as of April 1, 2023. 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 monthly salary at the time of employment:

The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 500,040JPY or more for Research Scientist, and 368,220 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher.

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 depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (childcare, family nursing care, etc.), and work life balance holidays (up to 7 days depending on the month of employment).
There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave.
Smoking is not permitted on site except in designated smoking areas. Smoking will be entirely prohibited on site from April 2024.
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).

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to the HR at kids [at] riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1.Complete CV or CV (with photo and email address)
    • *Write the RIKEN job ad number “W23076”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
  • 2.List of research achievement and publications
  • 3.A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
  • 4.Major papers (not more than 3 for Postdoctoral Researcher, 5 for Research Scientist)
  • 5.Summary of past research and future research plans (not more than 3 pages for Postdoctoral Researcher, 5 pages for Research Scientist)
  • 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

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following website:

For Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher position, Superconducting Quantum Electronics Research Team, RQC, RIKEN

The file name of the ZIP should contain your contact email address.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (yasunobu.nakamura [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following website with the file name"RQC Center research scientist [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

For Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher position, Superconducting Quantum Electronics Research Team, RQC, RIKEN

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (yasunobu.nakamura [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: yasunobu.nakamura [at] riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned.

Deadline

Open until the position is 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

Application screening and interview for selected applicants

Start of Employment

September 1, 2023 (Negotiable)

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
Superconducting Quantum Electronics Research Team
Email: yasunobu.nakamura [at] riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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