Seeking a few Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (K24071) Full-time

Research Scientist Or Postdoctoral Researcher Positions Available

Processor Research Team RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Team Principal: Kentaro Sano)

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-CCS 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 Processor Research Team (“Processor team”) conducts research to investigate and explore organization principles of new processors and/or computing systems which are appropriate in the Post-Moore era, particularly, novel non-von-Neumann processor architectures and their programming methods where algorithms are mapped onto data-flow circuits, as well as domain-specific computer architectures.

Job Title And Job Descriptions

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: A few positions

Conduct research regarding processors, computing systems, programing models, and/or system software such as a compiler based on different architectures from conventional many-core processors, especially novel processor architectures suitable for vector data-flow processing including coarse-grain reconfigurable arrays (CGRAs), and reconfigurable domain-specific computing mechanisms for FPGA cluster and near-sensor hardware. As necessary, conduct research in tight collaboration with other members of our team, other teams in R-CCS and RIKEN, and other collaborative partners of academia and industries in Japan and overseas.

In addition to the above research and development, take charge of various tasks in Processor team and R-CCS.

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.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a doctoral degree in a related field or expect to receive a doctoral degree before the date of appointment. In general, those who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years will be appointed as Postdoctoral Researcher, and those who earned a doctorate more than 5 years ago will be appointed as Research Scientist.

An applicant needs to be familiar with any of the following items or related areas of the expected research and development:

• Computer architecture
• Processor design and SoC design
• Circuit design, implementation, verification, and evaluation for FPGAs and ASICs
• System software such as drivers and compilers
• Hardware development and application knowledge for domain-specific computing

Experience in research and development related to the above job descriptions and skills in software programming, circuit design/implementation/verification, architecture exploration and evaluation, and FPGA and ASIC hardware development required for the research you wish to work on are preferred, but not required if you are willing and able to learn in a new field. The candidate should also possess the balance between collaboration and independent research, communication skills, and a positive attitude to explore and develop research topics on his/her own, which are necessary for conducting research. Preference will be given to applicants who are willing and able to work on research and development of computer architecture while pioneering new models and algorithms to advance HPC and AI for the near future, when semiconductor technology advancement slows down. Applicants who possess sufficient communication skills in English are also preferred.

Work Location

RIKEN Center for Computational Science, Processor Research Team (Kobe Campus – South) 6-3-5, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, JAPAN

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures. Employees may be transferred to other locations when necessary to perform duties, in accordance with relevant regulations.

Salary And Benefits

• 1. (Research Scientist) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to seven years since the initial date of hire.
• 2. (Postdoctoral Researcher) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to five years since the initial date of hire.
• 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. 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 and 458,500 JPY for Research Scientist 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 400,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher and 515,575 JPY for 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 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.

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.

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