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Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (25-680)

Laboratory

Field Theory Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Team Principal: Yasumichi Aoki)

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.

The team aims to understand physical phenomena in the microscopic world through simulations based on field theory. They are conducting research and development to utilize cutting-edge computing resources, such as the supercomputer "Fugaku," as well as large-scale numerical simulations. In addition, based on the knowledge gained from their work on field theory simulations and algorithms, they are promoting research that leads to significant scientific findings.

Job title and job descriptions

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher: 1 position

Position-specific tasks are as follows:

Postdoctoral Researcher
Carries out research and other work in accordance with laboratory research themes under the mentorship of supervisors.

Job description

The successful applicant should engage on the following topics, working cooperatively with other groups in the below-mentioned Transformative Research Area.

  • Development and tuning of simulation programs for quantum few-body to many-body systems and related algorithms. In addition to targeting CPU machines, it includes tuning and development for GPU machines.
  • Development of a unified platform that covers several simulation programs for quantum few-body to many-body systems.
  • Research on quantum matter science based on quantum few-body to many-body systems.

These are from the plan in A03 group "Building a Unified Platform for Finite Quantum Many-Body Computations" (Representative: Issaku Kanamori (RIKEN)) in the Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas A "Quantum Matter Science in the Universe Opened Up by Precise Numerical Calculations" (Representative: Emiko Hiyama (Tohoku Univ.), 2025 Apr.-2030 Mar.).

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

Qualifications

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. A PhD holder in a field of physics or related area (including those who expect to obtain a doctoral degree before starting the position) and within 5 years after obtaining the doctoral degree. Applicants with experience of parallel computing with C/C++ or Fortran and being familiar with Python are welcome to apply.

Work location

RIKEN Kobe Campus – South (7-1-26, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, JAPAN)
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, but not beyond the end of March, 2030.
  • 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. 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 327,200 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 more than 400,000 JPY.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.

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.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

The Kobe Campus has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe.
For details, please send an email to the General Administrative Section at kobe-kosei@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.

  • *Eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003
  • *Eligible to apply 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 (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
    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
    • *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.

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 Field Theory Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “25-680, R-CCS Field Theory Research Team” and the applicant’s name. Please write the job ad number and 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 "Recommendation letter for [applicant’s name], [name of the position], R-CCS Field Theory Research Team”. Please tell them to email us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) that they have uploaded the PDF file and to 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@riken.jp.

Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled (The selection process will start after July 25, 2025).

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 (one interview for Postdoctoral Researcher position). No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Notification of hiring decision

The notification of hiring decision (conditional offer of employment) regarding this selection shall be carried out through the presentation of an Employment Contract or a Conditional Offer of Employment issued by RIKEN.

Start of Employment

October 1, 2025 or later (subject to negotiation)

Contact Information

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the corresponding research scientist by email:

Issaku Kanamori
Field Theory Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: kanamori-i@riken.jp

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