Seeking a few Senior Research Scientists, Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (K24040) Full-time

Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist, or Postdoctoral Researcher

Conduct research on AI for science by focusing on the following topics:

• Apply and develop AI optimization methods to use in real-world scientific applications and case studies in various domains, such as imaging (ex: CT, MRI etc), life science, and earth science.
• Developing techniques for incorporating scientific domain knowledge, uncertainty quantification, and constraints into machine learning for optimization.
• Integration of AI into science codes: improving model serving, scalability, and resource utilization of LLMs for real-time and large-scale scientific applications.
• Auto generation of code for HPC algorithms using empirical models based on machine learning.

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.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or expect to receive a Ph.D. 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 or Senior Research Scientist. Exceptions may apply to those with an outstanding record of achievements. Senior Research Scientist must have advanced research skills and achievements, as well as experience in providing guidance to researchers and others. Successful candidates must have thorough knowledge of basic algorithms for parallel computing, designing and programming hardware and software for HPC systems, the basic theory of machine learning and the frameworks of deep learning. Individuals with research experience in the areas described in “Job description” are strongly preferred. The applicant must be socially cooperative, able to conduct research independently, and have good communication skills.

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. Employees may be transferred to other locations when necessary to perform duties, in accordance with relevant regulations.

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, 458,500 JPY for Research Scientist and 509,100 JPY for Senior 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 440,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher, 550,000 JPY for Research Scientist and 670,000 JPY 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 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).

Please prepare the following documents in English. Only recommendation letters may be either in English or in Japanese.

• CV
• List of research achievements
• Copies of up to five most important publications
• List of competitive funds acquired, awards received, and other achievements
• Description of previous research, future research plans, and career goals
• Recommendation letters from one or two persons who can evaluate your work
• Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR

Combine the above documents except the recommendation letters into a single PDF file and upload them to the following link:

Application for R-CCS Learning Optimization Platform Development Unit

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “K24040, LOP Unit” 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 “K24040, LOP Unit, [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. If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs@riken.jp.

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

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.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and interviews will be conducted for selected applicants (2 interviews for Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist positions and one interview for Postdoctoral Researcher position). No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

November 1, 2024 or later (subject to negotiation)

Application files will not be returned.

Updated as of Apr. 1, 2025: “Salary and benefits”

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Unit Leader by email: Mohamed Wahib Learning Optimization Platform Development Unit RIKEN Center for Computational Science Email: mohamed.attia@riken.jp