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Seeking a Research Scientist or a Postdoctoral Researcher (25-1438)

Laboratory

Quantum Computational Science Research Team
RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
(Team Director: Seiji Yunoki)

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.
Our main interest is to propose quantum algorithms such as quantum-classical hybrid algorithms for simulating quantum many-body systems. We also analyze quantum dynamics of quantum computing based on quantum information. For these purposes, we develop quantum simulations for quantum computing using classical computers. We are also interested in quantum-classical hybrid systems for future high performance computing.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist 1 position

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

*The applicant will be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability, aptitude, etc.

Job description

A successful candidate is expected to develop quantum algorithms primarily targeting quantum many-body systems and demonstrate these algorithms using quantum computers. It is also expected to develop simulations for quantum computing using classical computers.

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

Qualification

We are seeking individuals who have obtained a Ph.D or are expected to obtain a Ph.D by the time of their appointment in the fields of condensed matter physics, particle and nuclear physics, quantum chemistry, quantum information, or applied mathematics. Experience in developing quantum algorithms is preferred.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
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
  • 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.
  • 3.Interim review will be conducted for Research Scientist in the 4th year. Depending on the evaluation, the employment contract may not be renewed for the 6th year.

In principle, the first two months of employment are 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.
Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of salary at the time of employment:
The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 360,000 JPY or more for postdoctoral researchers and 410,000 JPY or more for research scientists.

RIKEN has a telecommuting system, but this position requires attendance at the work location. Therefore, the telecommuting system is not available for this position, in principle.

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 (caring for a sick child, 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.
Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

*Eligible to apply for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

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.

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to kids@riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

  • 1.Complete CV or CV
    • *RIKEN CV: Write the RIKEN job ad number “25-1438”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in the RIKEN job ad number section in the upper right corner of your CV.
  • 2. List of achievements (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
  • 3.Statement of research achievement and plan (up to three pages for Postdoctoral Researcher, up to five pages for Research Scientist)
  • 4.A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
    • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
  • 5.Copies of selected publications (up to three for Postdoctoral Researcher, up to five 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.

How to apply

Send the PDF formatted application by email to yunoki＠riken.jp
(Recommendation letters must be sent by email directly from the reference to yunoki＠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

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

As early as possible

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
Quantum Computational Science Research Team
Email: yunoki＠riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

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