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Seeking a Research Scientist or a Postdoctoral Researcher (26-1239)

Laboratory / Division

Succinct Information Processing Team
Mathematical Intelligence Group
RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
(Team Director: Yasuo Tabei)

Outline of Laboratory / Division

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.

The Succinct Information Processing Team has worked to accelerate large-scale data processing and reduce memory requirements through research in data compression, succinct data structures, information retrieval, and machine learning.

Through this call, we seek researchers who will develop new research directions in AI and information processing, including the use of information and experience in large language models and AI agents, improvements in AI system efficiency, and intelligent processing in on-device and edge environments. We aim to tackle new research challenges by combining the team’s accumulated research knowledge with candidates’ expertise. We welcome applicants with original research ideas that extend beyond existing themes and who take initiative in advancing their research.

Note: For further information about the research team, please refer to the following laboratory profile.
Succinct Information Processing Team | RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project

Job title and job description

Job title

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher 1 position

Research Scientist
Conduct research projects and other activities in corresponding department.
Basically defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Receive training and guidance from senior staff; conduct research projects and other activities for Programs or equivalent.
Basically defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.

*The applicant will be assigned to an appropriate position based on his/her ability, aptitude, etc.

Job description

The successful candidate will conduct research on the use of information and experience in large language models and AI agents, improvements in AI system efficiency, and intelligent processing under resource constraints. Examples of research topics include:

  • Methods for representing, compressing, indexing, retrieving, and updating information to support memory and knowledge management in large language models and AI agents.
  • Structuring the execution histories and experiences of AI agents, acquiring reusable knowledge and skills, and using them to adapt to previously unseen tasks and improve the efficiency of problem solving.
  • Algorithms and data processing methods for reducing the use of computational and memory resources in large language models and AI systems.
  • Design and evaluation of AI and information processing systems that account for constraints on computational, memory, and communication resources in on-device and edge environments.

We also welcome new research proposals in related areas of AI and information processing beyond these examples. Specific research topics will be determined through discussions with the Team Director, taking into account the successful candidate’s expertise and research ideas.

In collaboration with researchers both within and outside the team, the successful candidate will formulate research problems; design and implement models, algorithms, systems, or evaluation methods; assess performance, reliability, and resource efficiency using real-world data and tasks; publish research papers; and release research software.

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

Qualification

Required Qualifications

  • A doctoral degree in machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, algorithms and data structures, data compression, information retrieval, databases, computer systems, data mining, applied mathematics, or a related field, or the expectation of obtaining such a degree by the date of appointment.
  • A record of original research contributions in the research areas outlined in the job description above or in related fields. Direct research experience in the individual research topics listed in this call is not required.
  • The ability to independently formulate research problems and to design, implement, and validate models, algorithms, systems, or evaluation methods using real-world data and tasks. Applicants whose research is primarily theoretical must also be able to present concrete plans for extending their work to implementation or empirical evaluation.
  • The programming skills necessary to conduct research, as well as the ability to discuss research, write papers, and give presentations in English. Japanese language proficiency is not required.
  • The ability to take initiative in research, communicate effectively with researchers and engineers both within and outside the laboratory, and work collaboratively to advance research.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Original research ideas that build on the applicant’s expertise to pursue new directions in AI and information processing research.
  • A record of presenting research at international conferences or publishing in international journals, or experience releasing research software or contributing to open-source projects.

Work location

RIKEN Tokyo Campus (1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

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

Salary and benefits

  • 1.A one-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to the end of the fiscal year (March 31) in which the employee completes 7 years of employment. (Maximum employment duration for a Postdoctoral Researcher is 5 years).
  • 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.

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:
Research Scientist:The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 448,990JPY or more
Postdoctoral Researcher:The total amount of monthly discretionary work allowance and monthly salary at the time of hiring will be 382,610JPY or more

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 aip-hr@ml.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 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

  • 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.
  • 3.Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's qualifications (this usually includes the current supervisor)
    Note:
    • 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 and the Privacy Policy)
    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 (26-1239) and so on.
  • B)Our HR staff will send you an email with instructions on how to submit your application.

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.

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.

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