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Seeking Senior Technical Staff or Technical Staff I (K24034)

Laboratory

AI Development Computing Environment Operation Technologies Unit,
AI for Science Platform Division,
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Unit Leader: Shinichi Miura)

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.

Our unit develops and operates AI development computing systems optimized for scientific research. This system can be closely linked and operated with Fugaku and advanced experimental equipment. We aim to develop a system to realize the real-time exchange of enormous amounts of data between large-scale inference/learning and large-scale simulations. In a series of computational processes for the development of basic scientific models, it is essential to construct an environment that enables the application and validation of inference/learning models and feedback to the basic models automatically and in quasi-real time, and in the future, enables several hundred people to utilize basic scientific research models simultaneously. To realize this goal, we support the stable operation of computers.

Job title and job description

Job title

Senior Technical Staff or Technical Staff I: A few positions

Job description

As a technical staff belonging to the AI for Science Platform Division AI Development Computation Environment Operation and Technology Unit, the incumbent will operate and maintain the computing facilities et al., provided and operated by the Unit, and construct hardware and software environments that enable the utilization of scientific research infrastructure models.
The Technical Staff I must work at their discretion with technical support from existing staff. At the same time, they must research the latest technological trends and seek to improve their system operation capabilities independently.
In addition to their technical duties, Senior Technical Staff must guide unit staff and develop human resources for stable system operation.

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.

Qualification

Must have a technical college or four-year college degree. Must be able to process work using a personal computer. Experience in programming, network administration, etc. is a plus. In addition, enthusiasm to work proactively and positively on research and development themes of the division/unit to which the candidate belongs, and the ability to communicate in Japanese are desirable. English communication skills are also desirable, as support in English is required.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Kobe Campus – South)
7-1-26, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, JAPAN
or
RIKEN Center for Computational Science, Tokyo Branch
15F Nihonbashi Mitsui Building, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, JAPAN

Work location will be determined based on the content of the research and development to be conducted. If you prefer your work location, please contact us before applying.
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.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.
  • 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.

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 Senior Technical Staff and 248,700 JPY for Technical Staff I 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 annual salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for new graduates from a technical college as Technical Staff I will be approximately 4.0 million yen and for new graduates from a four-year college as Technical Staff I will be approximately 4.5 million yen.
The annual salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 20 years of work experience, ability, and performance will be approximately 6 million yen as Technical Staff I and approximately 7 million yen as Senior Technical Staff.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).
These positions fall 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.
Smoking is entirely prohibited on site.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

Our unit actively utilizes a telecommuting system. The post currently being offered may be carried out through telecommuting (full-remote work) within Japan for the entire specified work period, provided that the required procedures are completed and approval is obtained from RIKEN. However, if the applicant is deemed to lack sufficient skills for full-remote work, he/she will be required to work in the Kobe campus.
For more information, please get in touch with the hiring 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.

Application and required documents

Required documents

Please prepare the following documents.

  • 1.CV or CV
  • 2.List of skills, job experiences and research achievements
  • 3.Certificate or proof of qualification to demonstrate his/her work ability, if any. Certificate of Japanese or English proficiency (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, Practical English Proficiency Test, TOEIC, TOEFL), etc., the score of the certificate, etc., if applicable.
  • 4.Reasons for applying for the post (personal strengths, motivation, future research plans, career goals, etc.)
  • 5.Recommendation letter(s) 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.
  • 6.List of research achievements (if applicable)
  • 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 AI Development Computing Environment Operation Technologies Unit

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “K24034, R-CCS AI Development Computing Environment Operation Technologies 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 link mentioned above with the subject line "R-CCS AI Development Computing Environment Operation Technologies 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. No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Start of Employment

As soon as possible after the decision is made (subject to negotiation)

Notes

Application files will not be returned.

Updated as of Sep 2, 2024:　"Salary and benefits"

Contact Information

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

AI Development Computing Environment Operation Technologies Unit,
AI for Science Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Shinichi Miura
Email: shinichi.miura [at] riken.jp

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