1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Job Openings

Seeking a few Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers (25-2243)

Laboratory

Cold-Atom Quantum System Research Team
RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
(Team Director: Sylvain de Leseleuc)

Outline of Laboratory

The missions of RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (RQC) are to deepen our understandings of quantum mechanics and quantum information, develop techniques for quantum control and measurement, build quantum computing hardware and software, and explore novel applications. We promote basic research on quantum information science and contribute to society through quantum technology.

This research team invents quantum technologies based on individual atoms manipulated with laser beams. For example, lasers can cool atoms to absolute zero temperature, catch and move them with optical tweezers, excite their electron to giant orbitals… This allows us to exploit the quantum nature of atoms and to build quantum systems atom-by-atom, with a particular aim at realizing a cold-atom-based quantum computer.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers, a few positions

In general, Postdoctoral Researchers are defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less, while Research Scientists are 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

Research based on the cold-atom platform for quantum computing, quantum simulation and fundamental physics.

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

Qualification

The candidate should possess a doctoral degree in a related field or be expected to obtain such a degree by the date of hire. Research experience in AMO physics, or more generally quantum science.

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.When the Employee's research is scheduled to be reviewed in employee's 4 year at RIKEN, and when it is concluded that there is reason* to believe it will be difficult for the research (or technology development) to be continued, the employment contract will not be renewed for 6 year. (*The reason may relate to the Employee's abilities, performance and/or work attitude.)

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 total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 600,000 JPY or more for Research Scientist, 450,000 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher.

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

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letter combined into a Zip file should be uploaded to the following link:

RQC Cold-Atom Quantum System Research Team Application BOX_25-2243

The file name should contain your contact email address. After you uploaded the file, please let us (sylvain.deleseleuc@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letter must be directly submitted from the referee to the following link with the file name " RQC Cold-Atom Quantum System Research Team [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee’s name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

RQC Cold-Atom Quantum System Research Team Application BOX_25-2243

After the referee uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (sylvain.deleseleuc@riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: sylvain.deleseleuc@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

April 1, 2026 or late (Negotiable)

Contact Information

Team Director Sylvain de Leseleuc, Cold-Atom Quantum System Research Team, RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
Email: sylvain.deleseleuc@riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.

Top