Laboratory

Quantum Functional System Research Group
RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
(Group Director: Seigo Tarucha)

Research Field

Our research group pursues quantum information processing with semiconductor quantum dots. We investigate quantum-related physics (coherence, spin entanglement, quantum state control, etc.) with the goal of developing fundamental principles and realistic technologies for scalable quantum computing with silicon quantum dots. We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher with experience or interest in theoretical research on semiconductor quantum devices, semiconductor quantum information, or similar.

Job title and Job description

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher 1 position
Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.

Job description

A post-doc in the theory of quantum computing with solid-state devices and Bayesian statistics. The goal is to develop methods to improve the performance of current devices affected by noise and other real-world imperfections. The targeted improvement is envisaged to come from devising novel—automatized, more efficient, and faster—protocols for qubit array tune-up, multi-qubit manipulations, and qubit measurements. The core of the work is to explore how much better these tasks can performed by employing feedback and utilizing machine learning and other statistical learning methods.

The ideal candidate has (ordered by importance):

(i)Motivation to learn. The topic is interdisciplinary, including two fields: solid-state physics and statistics. The candidate should become knowledgeable about current quantum hardware devices based on semiconducting spin qubits.
(ii)A positive attitude to programming. The daily work will be mainly programming and scientific computing.
(iii)Communication skills and the ability to collaborate. The protocols to be developed are expected to work on real-world devices and will need to address specific issues of the experimental platform, techniques, and limitations. Frequent discussions with experimentalists will be required.
(iv)Interest in Bayesian statistics and modern statistical learning tools such as deep learning or machine learning.

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

Qualification

Applicants must have or expected to have a Ph.D. in theoretical Condensed Matter Physics.
They must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in English.

Work location

Branch and address

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

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
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, to a maximum March 31, 2029.
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.When the center to which the Employee is affiliated is scheduled for a final review in FY2024 and it is decided that the Employee's research will not be continued, the provision given above for projects of limited duration applies and the Employee's contract will not be renewed for the FY2025 year that would extend employment beyond the center's final fiscal year.

In principle, the first two months of employment is 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. The monthly base salary is 300,000 JPY as of April 1, 2024. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations.

Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied.

The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment:

The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be 500,000 JPY or more.

Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai).

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 (childcare, 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 will be entirely prohibited on site from April 2024.
These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

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.

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003, and eligible applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi).

The Wako Campus has an on-site daycare, RIKEN Kids Wako. For details, please send an email to the HR at kids [at] riken.jp.

Application and required documents

Required documents

1.Complete CV (WORD 55.5KB) or CV (EXCEL 55.3KB) (with photo and email address)
(RIKEN CV) Write the open call ID “W23334”, indicated in the parentheses next to the job title, in open call ID section in the upper right corner of your CV.
2.List of research achievements and publications
3.Two letters of recommendation, including one from the current supervisor (If unavailable, a letter from a substitute reference will be acceptable.)
It should be addressed to “The Director of RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science”.
4.Major papers up to 3 papers.
5.Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR
If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA)or UK, you are required to submit the document, "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR and Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK General Data Protection Regulation) (PDF 182.7KB)" with your signature.
You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website:
Data protection | European Commission
You will find detailed information about Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council of on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (UK GDPR) on the following website:
Data Protection and the EU | Information Commissioner’s Office

How to apply

The above documents except the recommendation letters combined into a single ZIP file should be uploaded to the following website:

For Postdoctoral Researcher position, Quantum Functional System Research Group, Center for Emergent Matter Science

The uploaded file name should contain your name.
After you uploaded the ZIP file, please let us (sosato [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.

Recommendation letters must be directly submitted from the referees to the following website with the subject line" Center for Emergent Matter Science, position name [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)". Please specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the recommendation letter.

For Postdoctoral Researcher position, Quantum Functional System Research Group, Center for Emergent Matter Science

After the referees uploaded the recommendation letter, please let us (sosato [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file.
If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: sosato [at] riken.jp.

Note: Application documents will not 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. 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

Start of Employment

As early as possible

Contact Information

Quantum Functional System Research Group, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Email: sosato [at] riken.jp

Position ID:	RIKEN-Quantum Functional System Research Group-PD1 [#27466]
Position Title:	Seeking Postdoctoral Researchers (W23334)
Position Type:	Postdoctoral
Position Location:	Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan [map]
Subject Areas:	Physics / Condensed Matter Physics, Machine Learning
Appl Deadline:	(posted 2024/04/08, listed until 2024/09/14)
Position Description:

RIKEN, Quantum Functional System Research Group