Seeking a Technical Scientist (26-166)

Laboratory

Geoinformatics Team,
Domain Intelligence Group
RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
(Laboratory head: Naoto Yokoya)

Outline of Laboratory

The RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP) is a leading international hub for state-of-the-art AI research. Centered around three core research groups, - the Mathematical Intelligence Group, the Domain Intelligence Group, and the Physical Intelligence Group - AIP is dedicated to establishing the mathematical foundations of trustworthy AI, advancing AI technologies integrated with diverse scientific domains, and developing embodied intelligence for the real world.

For more information, please refer to the following link:
Geoinformatics Team | RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project

Job title and Job description

Job title

Technical Scientist 1 position

Job description

The successful candidate will work as a technical scientist in the research project “Development and Social Implementation of AI Platform Technologies Supporting Life in a Super-Aged Society” under the Programs for Bridging the gap between R&D and the Ideal Society (Society 5.0) and Generating Economic and Social Value, contributing to the development of an AI-based geospatial analysis system for disaster response. The goal of the project is to build and validate a GeoAI-based disaster response agent system that integrates satellite remote sensing data, machine learning models, and geospatial analysis workflows to support rapid assessment of disaster impacts. This position focuses on software engineering and system development in close collaboration with researchers in AI agents and remote sensing at The University of Tokyo and RIKEN. The successful candidate is expected to help translate research outputs into a deployable operational prototype.

Main responsibilities

Design and implement backend systems for geospatial data processing and analysis
Develop map visualization, layer management, spatiotemporal retrieval, and AOI interaction functions
Build web-based user interfaces for visualizing and interacting with geospatial analysis results
Design and implement system architectures that support multi-user operation and operational testing
Collaborate with researchers to convert research algorithms into robust software components
Contribute to the evolution of the system from a research prototype to a deployable operational prototype for disaster response support

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

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information science, or a related field
Strong programming skills in Python
Experience in full-stack software development, including both backend and frontend development
Experience with modern web frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask, Node.js, React, or Vue
Experience with Git-based software development workflows
Ability to design and implement software systems collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research project

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with one or more geospatial web libraries such as OpenLayers or MapLibre
Practical experience with PostgreSQL and PostGIS
Experience working with geospatial data or GIS tools
Ability to independently design frontend/backend interfaces and database schemas
Interest in AI applications for geospatial analysis or disaster response

Work location

RIKEN Tokyo Campus (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, up to March 31, 2029 at the latest.
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."BRIDGE: programs for Bridging the gap between R&D and the IDeal society (society5.0) and Generating Economic and social value" projects undergo an annual stage-gate evaluation. If the decision is made not to continue the project based on this evaluation, the contract will not be renewed for the following fiscal year.

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 500,000 JPY or more.; The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment for a candidate with 5years of experience, ability, and achievement after completion of the doctoral course will be approximately 600,000 JPY.

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).

*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

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. (if possible)
3.A letter 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
- Letters of recommendation must be submitted directly by the recommender, not by the applicant. We will contact the recommender with the URL to which the letter of recommendation 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.:

How to apply

A)Please access " [HR] Inquiry for public recruitment" and enter your contact information, the Open call ID (26-166) 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.
We cannot answer any inquiry about information regarding application status or evaluation details prior to, during, or after the evaluation process.

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.

Contact Information

RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
Email: aip-hr@ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.