Laboratory / Division

Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team,
RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
(Team Director: Franco Nori)

Outline of Laboratory / Division

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.

Our research group performs interdisciplinary studies at the interface between quantum computing, quantum information processing, superconducting quantum circuitry for quantum computing, photonics, quantum optics, atomic physics, nano mechanics, nanoscience, computational physics, and condensed matter physics.

We developed the QuTiP software used worldwide for quantum information processing, quantum optics, and quantum open systems. We are also using techniques from AI and Machine Learning to solve computationally hard problems. The Web of Science has listed our research work as Highly Cited for the past ten years (from 2017 to 2026). Less than 0.1% of researchers reach this milestone.

Our publications are available online at Publications | Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team website.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Senior Research Scientist, Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher positions: multiple positions.

In general, those who earned a doctoral degree more than 5 years ago and have excellent achievements and abilities will be considered for an appointment as Senior Research Scientist; those who earned a doctoral degree more than 5 years ago will be considered for an appointment as Research Scientist; and those who earned a doctoral degree within the past 5 years will be considered for an appointment as Postdoctoral Researcher.

Senior Research Scientist

Assists the team director, provides guidance to the team members and others, and implements the team's research agenda.

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.

Job description

Research in theoretical physics, with particular emphasis on either quantum computing, superconducting qubits, quantum optics, photonics, machine learning, quantum open systems, and/or condensed matter physics. The main criterion will be excellent and creative work in our areas of research (please see the text above explaining our areas of research, and also our list of publications, all available online). The candidate must have very good communication skills, and the ability to perform outstanding interdisciplinary research. RIKEN offers excellent computational facilities.

More Information on our research activities is available here:
Publication list of our team: Publications | Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team website

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

Qualification

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in theoretical physics, relevant experience on the topics we work on, and an excellent publication record. Also, excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required, as well as the ability to work cooperatively with others.

Work location

RIKEN Wako Campus (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)

RIKEN may order the employee to change work locations, if necessary, in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

Salary and benefits

• 1. For Senior Research Scientists and Research Scientists, a one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to March 31, 2032 from the date of hire.
  For Postdoctoral Researchers, a one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to 5 years from the date of hire, with an absolute end date of March 31, 2032.
• 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.For Senior Research Scientists and Research Scientists, 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 700,000 JPY or more for Senior Research Scientists, 550,000 JPY or more for Research Scientists, 420,000JPY or more for Postdoctoral Researchers.

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 Saturdays and Sundays, 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

At first, applicant must submit the required documents 1 and 2.
If necessary, we will later on request the submission of documents 3-6.
Email: applications-physics@ml.riken.jp

• 1.Complete CV (free format)
• 2.List of research achievement and publications
  (including ResearcherID or Google Scholar ID, if available)
  The above two are sufficient for an initial enquiry. If needed, the items below will be requested.
  However, these are not necessary for an initial enquiry.
• 3. A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
  • *Please specify the referee’s contact information (Name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address)
• 4.Major papers (not more than 3 for Postdoctoral Researcher, 5 for Senior Research Scientist and Research Scientist)
• 5.Summary of past research and future research plans (not more than 3 pages for Postdoctoral Researcher, 5 pages for Senior Research Scientist and Research Scientist)
• 6.Agreement on handling of personal information (Handling of personal information based on the Hiring Privacy Policy and the Privacy Policy)
  Please review the following web page before submitting the consent form.:
  • *Hiring Privacy Policy
  • *Privacy Policy

How to apply

At first, please send only the required documents (1) and (2).
If necessary, we will later request the submission of documents 3-6. But this is not needed initially.
Email: applications-physics@ml.riken.jp

Note: None of the submitted documents will 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. If you do not hear back from us, this means that your application was not selected. Due to the large number of applications typically received, we cannot reply to each single applicant.

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

This is flexible, upon mutual agreement.

Contact Information

Ai SATO (Ms.)
Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team, RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing
Email: applications-physics@ml.riken.jp
For inquiries, please send an email.