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Seeking Senior Scientist, Seeking Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (K24106)

Laboratory

AI for Science Foundation Model Research Team,
AI for Science Platform Division,
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Team Principal: Rio Yokota)

Outline of Laboratory

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.

By developing and applying the general foundation model of large-scale language models, TRIP-AGIS aims to contribute to the expansion of the rapid acceleration of scientific research cycles and scientific research search space in diverse fields. To achieve this, foundation models with superior reasoning skills are needed. The AI for Science Foundation Model Team develops technology to affordably build and operate foundation models with superior reasoning skills. The team aims to build a foundation model that assists with proposals for research concepts in scientific research fields; drafts of experimental plans; development of programs; automating workflows in experiments and simulation; and analysis of experiment results.

Job title and Job description

Job title

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

Job description

Carry out research and development on either of the following to create a foundation model with superior reasoning skills.

  • 1.Explore an appropriate interface/interaction with the foundation model in the scientific fields.
  • 2.Improve the foundation model architecture
  • 3.Build evaluation tasks for scientific research
  • 4.Build foundation software for rapidly carrying out learning and reasoning via next generation computing infrastructure

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

Common to all positions
A person who is able to dedicate themselves to the job by communicating, coordinating and collaborating smoothly with people in and out of the laboratory.
Senior Scientist
A PhD holder in a field related to the “Job Description” and at least 5 years of experience in a specialized area, and who can also provide guidance to lab members.
Research Scientist
A PhD holder in a field related to the “Job Description”.
Postdoctoral Researcher
A PhD holder in a field related to the “Job Description” (including those who expect to obtain a doctoral degree before starting the position) and within 5 years after obtaining the doctoral degree.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Tokyo Campus - Nihonbashi)
Tokyo Office, RIKEN Center for Computational Science
1-4-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0027, JAPAN

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures. For full-remote work, please read the explanation below marked with an asterisk in “Salary and benefits”.
Employees may be transferred to other locations when necessary to perform duties, in accordance with relevant regulations.

Salary and benefits

  • 1.(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.
  • 2.(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.
  • 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 for FY2023 and FY2024. (Note: RIKEN has been increasing the mandatory retirement age by one year every two years from FY 2023.) 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 509,100 JPY for Senior Scientist and 458,500 JPY for Research Scientist and 327,200 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher as of April 1, 2025. 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 more than 572,475 JPY for Senior Scientist and 515,575 JPY for Research Scientist and 400,000 JPY 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 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 team 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. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring at kobe-jobs@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 AI for Science Foundation Model Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “K24106, R-CCS AI for Science Foundation Model Research Team” 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@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 for Science Foundation Model Research Team, [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. And please tell them to let us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) know that they have uploaded the PDF file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs@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 Research Scientist position and one interview for Postdoctoral Researcher position). No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Start of Employment

April 1, 2025 or later (subject to negotiation)

Remarks

Application files will not be returned.

Contact Information

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Team Principal by email:
Computational Science Promotion Office
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: r-ccs-jinji @ml.riken.jp

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