Seeking a few Research Scientists, Postdoctoral Researchers, or Research Associates (26-443)

Japanese Page

Laboratory

Discrete Event Simulation Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
(Team Principal: Nobuyasu Ito)

Outline of Laboratory

The RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), led by Center Director Satoshi Matsuoka, aims to advance "the Science of Computing," which explores high-performance computing itself as a scientific subject; "the Science by Computing," which applies vast computational power to solving problems across a wide range of scientific fields; and "the Science for Computing," which collaborates with other scientific disciplines that contribute to further advances in computing. Through these efforts, R-CCS seeks to serve as a world-leading research center and Japan's core hub for next-generation computational science.

The Discrete Event Simulation Research Team conducts research ranging from agent-based simulations of social and economic phenomena to discrete-model simulations of nonequilibrium and nonlinear phenomena, making use of the supercomputer Fugaku and GPU machines. In analyzing such complex systems, it is essential not only to reproduce phenomena at scale but also to learn, predict, and control the complex and diverse behaviors underlying them. For this reason, integration with AI is indispensable. Based on this recognition, the team advances simulation and artificial intelligence as two inseparable pillars of its research, while also pursuing research and development in quantum information processing technologies.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, or Research Associate: a few positions

Position-specific tasks are as follows:

Research Scientist: Conduct research projects and other activities in the team.
Postdoctoral Researcher: Receive training and guidance from senior staff; conduct research projects and other activities in the team.
Research Associate: Receive guidance from senior staff; conduct research projects and other activities in the team.

Job description

Under the guidance of Team Principal Nobuyasu Ito, the successful candidate will engage in data analysis and simulation research on economic and social phenomena. This position is intended to promote research under a three-way collaboration among RIKEN, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and the University of Tokyo Global Commons Center, with the aim of advancing research toward mitigating climate change and achieving a transition to a sustainable socioeconomic system within planetary boundaries.

The main objective is to promote research that integrates artificial intelligence and simulation while making use of large-scale computational resources such as the supercomputer Fugaku and GPU machines to address these challenges. Specifically, the successful candidate will analyze social data to understand the structure of socioeconomic activities and will develop AI-enabled simulation approaches to reproduce, predict, understand, and ultimately control complex socioeconomic phenomena.

Candidates with the following experience are particularly suited to this position.

Experience in analyzing large-scale social and economic data and constructing mathematical models
Experience using large-scale computational resources, including supercomputers and GPU machines
Experience in research or data analysis using simulation and artificial intelligence.
Research experience related to economics, network science, or statistical physics

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.
Applicants should have knowledge and experience in parallel programming, simulation and data analysis of economic and social phenomena, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in a field related to the job description, or be expected to obtain one by the start date. In principle, those who obtained their Ph.D. within the past five years will be appointed as Postdoctoral Researchers, while those who obtained it more than five years ago will be appointed as Research Scientists.
Research Associate: Applicants must hold a master's degree in a field related to the job description, or be recognized as having equivalent ability. Applicants are also expected to have a clear intention and commitment to actively pursue a Ph.D. in the future and to advance to a higher position such as Postdoctoral Researcher.

Work location

RIKEN Kobe Campus – South
7-1-26, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, JAPAN

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

Salary and benefits

Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher:: 1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, but not beyond the end of March, 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.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, but not beyond the end of March, 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.

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 536,065 JPY or more for Research Scientist, 382,610 JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researcher, and 313,660 JPY or more for Research Associate.

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. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at kobe-jobs@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).

*The Kobe Campus has an on-site daycare, Po-I Kids Kobe. For details, please send an email to kobe-kosei@ml.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 26-443] 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 development, future research development plans, and career goals: No format specified, approximately three to four A4 pages in total. It is desirable that a diagram describing the research development 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.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

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 Discrete-Event Simulation Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “26-443, R-CCS Discrete-Event Simulation 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 Discrete-Event Simulation 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 Research Scientist position 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

At the earliest opportunity (negotiable)

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:
Nobuyasu Ito
Discrete-Event Simulation Research Team
RIKEN Center for Computational Science
Email: nobuyasu.ito@riken.jp