Laboratory

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

Outline of Laboratory

The RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), led by Center Director Satoshi Matsuoka, are threefold, centered around supercomputing: one is to target high performance computation itself as a scientific objective, or namely, the "Science of Computing"; another is to apply the enormous computational power thus obtained to solve difficult scientific problems, or namely the "Science by Computing"; finally, to collaborate with other scientific disciplines that contribute to advances in both sciences, or namely, the "Science for Computing." Our goal is to be recognized as one of the global leadership research centers to advance high-end computational science in this regard.

The Processor Research Team is recruiting research employees to carry out research on the themes shown below.

The research team is conducting research and development aimed at achieving high-performance decode for quantum error correction collaborating with experts in quantum computing and quantum-classical interfaces. This work is essential for the realization of fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computers, which are hoped to be achieved by 2040. We will conduct fundamental research on quantum error correction algorithms and related software, parallel processing methods, dedicated hardware design, and system design for FPGA clusters to develop a system for low-latency quantum error correction processing scalable to a code distance. Using this system together with qubit devices and their control systems, we will conduct demonstration experiments of quantum error correction.

Job title and Job description

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Job title

Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, or Research Associate: A few positions

Position-specific tasks are as follows:

Senior Research Scientist

Assist Laboratory Heads; provide guidance to researchers and other personnel at corresponding laboratories; autonomously conduct research projects and other activities.

Research Scientist

Conduct research projects and other activities in corresponding laboratories.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Receive training and guidance from senior staff; conduct research projects and other activities for corresponding laboratories.

Research Associate

Receive guidance from senior staff; conduct research projects and other activities for corresponding laboratories.

Job description

Toward realizing fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computers, we will undertake research and development enabling large-scale, high-throughput, low-latency quantum error correction under the adopted project of Moonshot R&D Program Goal 6. We will conduct R&D on key technologies, including quantum error-correction codes, correction algorithms and related software, parallel processing methods, dedicated hardware design, FPGA implementation and evaluation, quantum error simulation, and error performance evaluation, in collaboration with other researchers involved in this project. Ultimately, we will conduct quantum error correction experiments using a quantum error correction system built with an FPGA cluster, alongside qubits and their control modules developed by other groups, and software handling logical qubits. This will demonstrate the proof-of-concept for a fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computer. As needed, we will collaborate and cooperate with researchers in R-CCS, other research teams at RIKEN, and other research groups in the Moonshot Research Program, as well as domestic and international research institutions, universities, and companies.
In addition to the execution of the above R&D tasks, the successful candidate is also responsible for various tasks at the research team to which he/she is assigned and at the Center for Computational Science.

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

Qualification

Common to all positions

A person who is able to dedicate themselves to the job by communicating, coordinating and collaborating smoothly with people in and out of the laboratory.

Senior Research Scientist

A PhD holder in the area related to Job description who has at least 5 years of experience in related research area or equivalent qualifications. Individuals with appropriate research achievement.

Research Scientist

A PhD holder in the area related to the Job description. Individuals with appropriate research achievement.

Postdoctoral Researcher

A PhD holder who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years in the area related to the Job description. Including those who expect to obtain a doctoral degree before starting the position.

Research Associate

A master’s degree holder in the area related to the Job description or a person recognized as having equal ability. A person who also actively pursues PhD in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Postdoctoral Researcher.

Applicants should be familiar with either computer architecture, special-purpose computer hardware, digital circuit design, software design, high-performance processing and parallel processing, code theory and quantum error correction algorithms, graph optimization problems, gate-based quantum computers, or fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computers. Experience in research and development related to the above duties is desirable. However, we also welcome applications from individuals with backgrounds in general computer architecture, circuit design, parallel processing, classical error correction, optimization problems, or other related fields. While specialized knowledge in quantum information or quantum computing is not strictly required, candidates must possess the motivation and ability to actively deepen their understanding of fields outside their own expertise.

Applicants should also possess the balance between collaboration and independent research, communication skills, and the positive attitude to explore and develop research topics on their own, which is necessary to carry out research. Preference will be given to applicants who are willing and able to tackle challenging issues toward the realization of a fault-tolerant general-purpose quantum computer, which requires cooperation between experts in quantum computation and computer science, and who possess sufficient communication skills in English.

Work location

RIKEN Kobe Campus – South
6-3-5, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, JAPAN (KCMI Building)

RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary.

Salary and benefits

Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher

• 1.1. A one year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, but not beyond the end of November 2030. This project will undergo a stage-gate review in fiscal year 2028, and if the outcome is project termination, there will be no contract renewal after April 1, 2029.
• 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.

Research Associate

• 1.1. A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to a maximum of 3 years of employment or until the end of November 2030, whichever comes first. This project will undergo a stage-gate review in fiscal year 2028, and if the outcome is project termination, there will be no contract renewal after April 1, 2029.
• 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.
• 3.Upon evaluation, whether or not the employee actively pursues PhD in his/her future, with clear intention and determination for advancing to a higher position, such as Postdoctoral Researcher, will be judged.

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 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 hiring:
The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 315,000 JPY or more for Research Associate, 390,000 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher, 550,000 JPY or more for Research Scientist, 630,000 JPY or more for Senior Research Scientist.

RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN.

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).

The Kobe Campus has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe. For details, please send an email to 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.

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

Application and required documents

Required documents

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

• 1.Complete CV or CV
  • *Email address, Application Number [25-2431] and position to apply (e.g. : Research Scientist) are required.
  • *Format is free. Or the format attached is available.
• 2.List of research achievements (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
  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.At least one letter of recommendation from a person who can evaluate your work
  • *In principle, the letter of recommendation should be from the applicant’s current supervisor. When it is difficult to do so, a letter of recommendation written by a third party may be accepted.
    If your current affiliation is the laboratory you apply for, the referee should be a person who does not belong to the laboratory you apply for including the supervisor.
  • *The letter of recommendation must be sent directly by the referees.
  • *The letter of recommendation should be addressed to R-CCS Director. Digital signature image can be embedded in the letter of recommendation within the PDF file. Or please specify the referee’s contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address) in the letter. Please make sure to write the date.
• 7.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR/UK GDPR
  If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, you are required to sign and submit the document, “Consent form for handling personal information based on 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, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) and the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation.”
  • *For residents of the EEA, you will find detailed information about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
    Data protection | European Commission
  • *For residents of the UK, you will find detailed information about 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) on the following website:
    The UK GDPR | Information Commissioner’s Office

How to apply

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

Applications for R-CCS Processor Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “25-2431, R-CCS Processor Research Team” and the applicant’s name.
Please write the job ad number and the name of the position that you apply for if there is an “Add additional information” box on the website.
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.

The letter of recommendation must be directly submitted from the referees to the link mentioned above with the subject line "Letter of recommendation for [applicant’s name], [name of the position], R-CCS Processor Research Team”. Please tell them to email us (kobe-jobs@riken.jp) that they have uploaded the PDF file and to 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.

Note: None of the submitted documents will be returned.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the positions are 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. 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 interview. After documents screening, only successful applicants will be invited for interview (2 interviews for Senior Research Scientist and Research Scientist positions and 1 interview for Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Associate positions). No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

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 later

Remarks

Updated as of Jan 14, 2026:　"Salary and benefits"

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this open position, please contact below by email:
Research Personnel Affairs Section, Human Resources Strategy Division, Human Resources Group, RIKEN
kobe-jobs@riken.jp

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Team Principal by email:
Kentaro Sano
Processor Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: kentaro.sano@riken.jp