Laboratory

Geoinformatics Team,
Goal-Oriented Technology Research Group
RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
(Laboratory head: Naoto Yokoya)

Research field

The Center for Advanced Intelligence Project has been launched with subsidy from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology-Japan for “Advanced Integrated Intelligence Platform Project (AIP) -Artificial Intelligence/ Big Data/ Internet of Things/ Cybersecurity-”.

The Center conducts fundamental theoretical research and develops an innovative technology, with aiming to advance science and contribute to society or humanity.
This Center is a project with a maximum of 10 years from FY 2016.

For more information, please refer to the following link:
Geoinformatics Unit | RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project

Job title and job description

Job title, available positions

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher, two positions

Research Scientist

Carries out research and other work in accordance with team research themes
Basically defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Carries out research and other work in accordance with team research themes under the direction of supervisors.
Basically defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.

Job description

Geoinformatics Team is dedicated to pioneering the development of intelligent systems designed to autonomously extract crucial map information from remote sensing images captured by spaceborne and airborne sensors. Our focus lies in deciphering intricate details such as land use and land cover semantics, as well as digital elevation models, with a commitment to pushing the boundaries of spatial and temporal resolution in both image acquisition and understanding. Motivated by real-world applications in Earth observation, particularly in addressing pressing global challenges like disaster management and environmental assessment, our team seeks to make significant contributions to these fields through cutting-edge research and innovation. The successful candidate will be expected to develop advanced algorithms in areas such as weakly- and self-supervised learning, transfer learning, and multimodal learning to extract semantics and 3D information from remote sensing data. We welcome candidates with experience and expertise in machine learning, computer vision, computer graphics, point cloud processing, and/or SAR signal processing.

The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Qualifications

• must have a Ph.D. or expect to receive a Ph.D. before the date of employment in machine learning, computer science, statistics or a related field.
• must be proactive, cooperative, flexible, and able to respond according to the circumstances.
• must also have good communication skills and be able to cooperate with the relevant personnel within/outside of the laboratory to fulfill the tasks.

Work location

RIKEN on Kashiwa campus of the University of Tokyo
(5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba)

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

• 1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment. (Maximum employment duration for a Postdoctoral Researcher is 5 years)
• 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 70 years.

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 355,000 JPY for Research Scientist, 300,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, as of April 1, 2024. 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:

Research Scientist

Monthly salary range, including discretionary work allowance, at the time of employment is 500,000-833,000 JPY (annual salary 6,000,000-9,996,000 JPY). Decided based on experience, ability, and achievements.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Monthly salary range, including discretionary work allowance, at the time of employment is 400,000-575,000 JPY (annual salary 4,800,000-6,900,000 JPY). Decided based on experience, ability, and achievements.

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.
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.List of publications: Circle titles of three major papers in the list
• 2.Photocopies of three major research papers.
• 3.Two different letters of recommendation including one by the current supervisor
  Note:
  • If you cannot obtain a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, the same document issued by a third party is acceptable.
  • Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
  • Letters of recommendation must be addressed to: Director of RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
  • Stamp or signature by referee is necessary.
  • Recommendation letters must be submitted directly by the recommender, not by the applicant. We will contact the recommender with the URL to which the recommendation letter should be submitted.
• 4.Research in the past and research plan (3 pages in A4 size)
  Your research plan must include outcome expected within a few years from your appointment.
• 5.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
  • *If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA)or UK, you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation)" with your signature.
    • *You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
      Data protection | European Commission
    • *You will find detailed information about Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK GDPR) on the following website:
      Data Protection and the EU | Information Commissioner’s Office

How to apply

• A)Please access " [HR] Inquiry for public recruitment" and enter your contact information, the Open call ID (W23324) and so on.
• B)Our HR staff will send you an email with instructions on how to submit your application.

Note:
Application documents will not be returned.
We cannot answer any inquiry about information regarding application status or evaluation details prior to, during, or after the evaluation process.

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, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants

Start of Employment

As early as possible

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 15th floor,
1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
Email: aip-hr [at] ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.