Laboratory

Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team,
RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
(Team Leader: Franco Nori)

Outline of Laboratory

The missions of the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (RQC) are to deepen our understanding of quantum mechanics and quantum information, develop techniques for quantum control and measurement, build quantum computing hardware and software, and explore novel applications. We promote basic research on quantum information science and contribute to society through quantum technology.

Our research group performs interdisciplinary studies at the interface between quantum computing, quantum information processing, superconducting quantum circuitry for quantum computing, photonics, quantum optics, atomic physics, nano mechanics, nanoscience, mesoscopics, computational physics, and condensed matter physics.

We developed the QuTiP software used worldwide for quantum information processing, quantum optics, and quantum open systems. We are also using techniques from AI and Machine Learning to solve computationally hard problems. The Web of Science has listed our research work as Highly Cited for the past seven years (from 2017 to 2023). Less than 0.1% of researchers reach this milestone.
We have published more than 30 papers in collaboration with various companies (NEC, Hitachi, Toshiba, NTT, IBM, etc.).

Our publications are available online at Publications | Theoretical Quantum Physics Laboratory website.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist positions

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

Research Scientist

Conducts the team's research projects.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Under the training and guidance of senior staff, conducts the team's research project, etc.

Job description

Research in theoretical physics, with particular emphasis on either quantum computing, optics, and/or condensed matter physics. The main criterion will be excellent and creative work in our areas of research (please see the text above explaining our areas of research, and also our list of publications, all available online). The candidate must have very good communication skills, and the ability to perform outstanding interdisciplinary research. RIKEN offers excellent computational facilities.

More Information on our research activities is available here:
Publication list of our team: Publications | Theoretical Quantum Physics Laboratory website

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

Qualification

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in theoretical condensed matter physics, an excellent publication record, and relevant experience. Also, excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

Work location

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.
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, Research Scientist may be reappointed for a period of up to seven years from the date of hire and Postdoctoral Researcher maybe reappointed for a period of up to five years from the 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, workload 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.
• 3.When the Employee's research is scheduled to be reviewed in employee's 4 year at RIKEN, and when it is concluded that there is reason* to believe it will be difficult for the research (or technology development) to be continued, the employment contract will not be renewed for 6 year. (*The reason may relate to the Employee's abilities, performance and/or work attitude.)

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 361,000~456,800 JPY as of April 1, 2024 for Research Scientist, 305,100 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher. 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 400,000 JPY or more for Research Scientist, and 350,000 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 will be entirely prohibited on site.
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

At first, please send only the required documents 1 and 2.
If necessary, we will later on request the submission of documents 3-6.
Email: applications-physics [at] ml.riken.jp

• 1.Complete CV (free format)
• 2.List of research achievement and publications
  The above two are sufficient for an initial enquiry. If needed, the items below will be requested.
  However, theses are not necessary for an initial enquiry.
• 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)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

At first, please send only the required documents 1. and 2.
If necessary, we will later on request the submission of documents 3-6.
Email: applications-physics [at] ml.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 at RIKEN. 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. If you do not hear back from us, this means that your application was not selected. Due to the large number of applications typically received, we cannot reply to each single applicant.

Start of Employment

This is flexible, upon mutual agreement.

Contact Information

Ai SATO (Ms.)
Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team,
RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
Email: applications-physics [at] ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

Remarks

Updated as of Oct 3, 2024: "Outline of Laboratory" and "Salary and benefits"