Seeking a Research Scientist or a Postdoctoral Researcher (25-2014) Part-time

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher

The RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project has been launched since April 2016 with the subsidy for “Advanced Integrated Intelligence Platform Project-Artificial Intelligence/ Big Data/ Internet of Things/ Cybersecurity-.” Our center aims to achieve scientific breakthrough and to contribute to the welfare of society and humanity through developing innovative technologies. We also conduct research on ethical, legal and social issues caused by the spread of AI technology and develop human resources.

Based on the methodology of statistical physics, our team seeks to develop a fundamental understanding of various processes in modern machine learning, including learning, inference, and generation. In particular, we are working to establish novel theories and algorithms that enhance the efficiency of approximate inference and sampling, grounded in both equilibrium statistical mechanics and dynamical perspectives. These efforts are expected to deepen and extend the mathematical foundations that underpin machine learning. Furthermore, by organizing and integrating knowledge in the interdisciplinary domain between physics and machine learning, we aim to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration and contribute to a more universal understanding of learning systems.

For more information about the research team, please refer to the following: Information Statistical Mechanics and Dynamics Team | Center for Advanced Intelligence Project

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher 1 position

Research Scientist

Carries out research and other work in accordance with team research themes. Basically defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Carries out research and other work in accordance with team research themes under the direction of supervisors. Basically defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.

Job description

Cross-disciplinary research integrating statistical machine learning and statistical physics

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

Qualifications

• Must have a Ph.D. or expect to receive a Ph.D. before the date of employment in machine learning, computer science, statistics or a related field.
• Must be proactive, cooperative, flexible, and able to respond according to the circumstances.
• Must also have good communication skills and be able to cooperate with the relevant personnel within/outside of the laboratory to fulfill the tasks.

Work location

RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (1-4-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo, Tokyo)

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, to a maximum of the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment. (Maximum employment duration for a Postdoctoral Researcher is 5 years).
• 2. RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee's abilities, workload 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.

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. Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied. The approximate amount of salary at the time of employment:

Research Scientist

The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 500,000 JPY or more.

Postdoctoral Researcher

The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 400,000 JPY or more.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN. Our laboratory actively utilizes the 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 staff at aip-hr@riken.jp.

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 the HR at kids@riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

• 1. List of publications (including Researcher ID or Google Scholar ID, if available): Circle titles of three major papers in the list
• 2. Photocopies of three major research papers.
• 3. Two different letters of recommendation including one by the current supervisor Note: If you cannot obtain a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, the same document issued by a third party is acceptable. Please specify the referee's contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address). Letters of recommendation must be addressed to: Director of RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project. Recommendation letters must be submitted directly by the recommender, not by the applicant. We will contact the recommender with the URL to which the recommendation letter should be submitted.
• 4. Research in the past and research plan (3 pages in A4 size) Your research plan must include outcome expected within a few years from your appointment.
• 5. Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the UK General Data Protection Regulation) Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.: Hiring Privacy Policy, The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation)

How to apply

• A) Please access ” [HR] Inquiry for public recruitment ” and enter your contact information, the Open call ID (25-2014) and so on.
• B) Our HR staff will send you an email with instructions on how to submit your application.

Note: Application 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

Selection will be made based on application screening and interviews.

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.

Remarks

Please