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Seeking Senior Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (K24020)

Laboratory

Data Management Platform Development Unit
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Unite Leader: Kento Sato)

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 utilizes its expertise to operate the supercomputer “Fugaku”, developed as Japan’s national project, in accordance with relevant ordinances.

In the TRIP-AGIS project, R-CCS has been developing systems for advanced high-performance computing system to promote AI for Science research. In order to develop and utilize generative AI models for scientific research (scientific foundation models) that handle a variety of multimodal data, we have been conducting performance analysis and developing system software to improve the performance of the supercomputer “Fugaku” and AI-dedicated systems equipped with GPUs. Our unit develop a data management infrastructure for efficient development and utilization of scientific foundation models. In addition, in conjunction with the automation technology developed in TRIP-AGIS, our unit will conduct research and development of fundamental research related to data to enable real-time processing of enormous amounts of diverse data. This will enable high-speed training and inference cycles, aiming to accelerate the development and utilization of scientific foundation models. We will also study the development of system software for new processors specialized for AI workloads, developed in TRIP-AGIS. Specifically, we have been conducting the following research and development:

  • 1.Optimization of data placement for training and inference utilizing a hierarchical memory/storage system;
  • 2.Research and development of high-performance and scalable fault-tolerant techniques for large-scale model training and inference;
  • 3.Research and development of data compression techniques to enhance data communication/transfer, management, and model training and inference;
  • 4.Research and development of workflow systems to improve efficiency of model training, fine-tuning, inference, and utilization;
  • 5.Propose and execute new R&D themes to promote AI for science research.

Job title and job descriptions

Job title

Senior Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: a few position(s)

Job description

We are seeking for postdoctoral researchers, research scientists and senior scientists who can perform any of the duties in items 1-5 above, or across multiple items. This job will also include writing papers, technical surveys, software development/implementation/verification, data management/curation, mentoring and collaboration, writing technical documents and reports, and other administrative duties to carry out the project.

Any changes in duties during the contract period or at the time of contract renewal will be within the scope of the above job description.

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. Those with advanced research skills and achievements may be hired as senior scientists.
Knowledge and experience with programming in C/C++ languages in a Linux environment are required. Experience in parallel programming (MPI, OpenMP, other parallel programming languages), scripting languages (e.g. Python), and research and development for scaling and accelerating large-scale I/O and AI frameworks is also desirable.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Kobe Campus – South)
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. Employees may be transferred to other locations when necessary to perform duties, in accordance with relevant regulations.

Salary and benefits

  • 1.(Postdoctoral Researcher) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to five years since the initial date of hire, but not beyond the end of March, 2032 depending on the employment start date.
  • 2.(Senior Scientist and Research Scientist) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to seven years since the initial date of hire, but not beyond the end of March, 2032 depending on the employment start date.
  • 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 70 years.

RIKEN has indefinite-term positions, which are subject to the mandatory retirement age of 61. There is a subsequent re-employment program allowing hiring until age of 65. Any scientists, including fixed-term employees who have been hired through this open call, are eligible to apply to open calls for indefinite-term positions.

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 305,100 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, 433,800 JPY for Research Scientist and 484,100 JPY for Senior Scientist 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 annual salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 4 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course as Postdoctoral Researcher will be approximately 420,000 JPY and for a candidate with 10 years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course as Research Scientist will be approximately 650,000 JPY and as Senior Scientist will be approximately 800,000 JPY.
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.

*RIKEN has a work-from-home system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the work-from-home system is not available for this position. However, if telecommuting is expected to improve work efficiency and approval is obtained from the unit leader and RIKEN through the prescribed procedures, it is possible to work from home within Japan for part of the designated working days. For more details, please contact the hiring representative at: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp.

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. Only recommendation letters may be either in English or in Japanese.

  • 1.CV or 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.
    The attached format is available for your convenience.
  • 2. List of research achievements
    Include not only peer-reviewed papers but also a list of patents, a list of invited lectures. Also include quantitative measures for evaluation such as the Google Scholar citation index, whenever 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 competitive 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 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.
    • *Recommendation letters must be sent directly by the referees.
    • *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. Please make sure to write the date.
  • 7. Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR

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 Data Management Platform Development Unit

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “K24020, R-CCS Data Management Platform Development Unit” 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.
Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the website mentioned above with the subject line "K24020, R-CCS Data Management Platform Development Unit, [name of the position], [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)”. Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the body of 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 at RIKEN. 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 Senior Scientist and Research Scientist positions 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 (subject to negotiation)

Notes

Application files will not be returned.

Contact Information

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

Kento Sato
Data Management Platform Development Unit
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: kento.sato [at] riken.jp

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