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Seeking Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist (W24328)

Laboratory

Quantum Mathematical Science Team,
Division of Applied Mathematical Science,
RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (scheduled to be established on April 1, 2025)
(Team Leader: Tetsuo Hatsuda)

Outline of Laboratory

RIKEN has established the "Transformative Research Innovation Platform of RIKEN Platforms (TRIP).” As one of the foundations of TRIP, RIKEN Quantum, a RIKEN cross-disciplinary framework for bringing innovation to physics, chemistry, life science, humanities, computational science, and information & data science based on quantum computational science, has been established with the RIKEN iTHEMS as its hub. This call is open to researchers in a wide range of fields who wish to participate in RIKEN Quantum.

Job title and Job description

Job title, available positions

Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist, about 6 positions
Depending on experience, performance and ability, they are employed as postdoctoral researchers (3-year term), research scientists (5-year term) or senior research scientists (7-year term).

Postdoctoral Researcher
Conduct own research projects with a host researcher.
Research Scientist
Conduct own research projects autonomously and expand the scope of the research through new join projects.
Senior Research Scientist
Conduct own research projects autonomously and expand the scope of the research through new joint projects. Additionally, contribute to the management of RIKEN Quantum.

Job description

This call is for Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Scientists or Senior Research Scientists who will be affiliated with the Quantum Mathematical Science Team in iTHEMS and work (concurrently, if necessary) in one of the following laboratories. RIKEN Quantum aims to promote fundamental science based on quantum computation. Successful candidates will not only conduct top-level research on their own topics, but also contribute to building common ground in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life science, humanities, computational science, and information & data science through quantum computational science.

The following laboratories are currently participating in RIKEN Quantum. If you wish to apply, you must first make an enquiry about your research with at least one of the laboratories of your choice. (See 【Contact Information】below.)

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

Mathematical Science and Quantum Computation
Physics and Quantum Computation
Chemistry and Quantum Computation
Life Science and Quantum Computation
Humanities and Quantum Computation
Information & Data Science and Quantum Computation

Qualification

The candidate should possess or is expected to obtain a doctoral degree by the starting date.

Work location

Depending on their suitability for carrying out the research, one of the following will be their place of work.

  • RIKEN Wako Branch (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama)
  • RIKEN Kobe Branch, East area (6-7-1 Minatojima-minami-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo)
  • RIKEN Kobe Branch, South area (7-1-26 Minatojima-minami-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo)
  • RIKEN Tokyo Campus (Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 15th floor, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

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 3 years (Postdoctoral Researcher), 5 years (Research Scientist) or 7 years (Senior Research Scientist) from the initial date of hire.
  • 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 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 be400,000 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher, 500,000 JPY or more for Research Scientist, and 550,000 JPY or more for Senior Research Scientist.

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 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 and Kobe Campus have an on-site daycare. For details, please send an email to the Wako HR at kids@riken.jp or to the Kobe HR at kobe-kosei@riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following link:
RIKEN Quantum application (W24328)

The file name of the ZIP should be “W24328_your name”.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let the RIKEN Quantum recruitment manager (rq_app@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following link with the file name "W24328_applicant’s name(recommendation_letter)”. Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.
RIKEN Quantum application (W24328)

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let the RIKEN Quantum recruitment manager (rq_app@ml.riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

If a confirmation email is not received within 5 days from the date of submission, please contact: rq_app@ml.riken.jp.

Note: All the submitted documents will not be returned, and incomplete submissions will not be considered.

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, interview and oral presentation by selected applicants.

Start of Employment

June 1, 2025 (Negotiable)

Remarks

Each Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist will be allocated an annual research grant of up to 1.5 million yen.

Contact Information

For Enquiries, please write “RIKEN Quantum Researcher (Enquiry: W24328)” in the subject line and contact one of the following Email addresses depending on the contents.

General enquiries about this call

RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (RIKEN Quantum Recruitment, rq_app@ml.riken.jp)

Enquiries to individual participating laboratories

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