Seeking Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Scientists (26-1881) (High Performance Artificial Intelligence Systems Research Team)

The RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), led by Center Director Satoshi Matsuoka, are threefold, centered around supercomputing: one is to target high performance computation itself as a scientific objective, or namely, the "Science of Computing"; another is to apply the enormous computational power thus obtained to solve difficult scientific problems, or namely the "Science by Computing"; finally, to collaborate with other scientific disciplines that contribute to advances in both sciences, or namely, the "Science for Computing." Our goal is to be recognized as one of the global leadership research centers to advance high-end computational science in this regard.
The High Performance Artificial Intelligence Systems Research Team is recruiting Research Scientists and Postdoctoral Researchers to carry out a new theme. The research overview of the laboratory is shown below.
The RIKEN Center for Computational Science advances the science of computing and its use in addressing scientific challenges. The High Performance Artificial Intelligence Systems Research Team develops algorithms, software, and computational methods for efficient AI on large-scale computing systems. Our research combines AI methodology with high-performance computing to enable the analysis of complex scientific data.
This call recruits three Research Scientists or Postdoctoral Researchers for two JST ARiSE projects, focusing on AI methods and scalable workflows for high-resolution scientific imaging and materials research. Researchers will collaborate with scientists working on synchrotron imaging and multimodal materials foundation models.

Work content and job description

Successful candidates will conduct research on one or more of the following topics, according to their expertise and assigned project:
1.AI models for high-resolution scientific images, including direct processing of three-dimensional data, segmentation, feature extraction, and defect detection.
2.Tokenization and representation learning that preserve physical information and fine-scale microstructure, including integration of image representations into multimodal foundation models.
3.Efficient training and inference for large scientific images, including block-wise processing, model adaptation with limited training data, and scalable computation on GPU and supercomputing systems.
4.Integration and evaluation of reproducible imaging workflows, with attention to accuracy, computational cost, and usefulness for scientific analysis and measurement decisions.
Two positions will be funded by JST ARiSE Strategic Target T3, “SPARK: Synchrotron Platform for AI-empowered Research and Knowledge,” for imaging AI and digital-twin analysis pipelines. One position will be funded by Strategic Target T1-1, “Development of a Materials AI Platform to Realize AI for Materials” (development of a materials AI platform for AI for Materials), for scientific image representations integrated into Material-Omni. The project funding period is 30 October 2026–31 March 2029.
This is one common open call. Applicants may indicate their preferred research direction, but separate applications for the two projects are not required. Project assignments will reflect expertise and project needs.
The job description may be changed during the contract period or upon contract renewal to the extent described above.

Description

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.

Various systems
Pay increase system :
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.

Supplementary explanation of compensation
RIKEN has implemented a telecommuting system that allows employees to work from home or other locations permitted by RIKEN. Our laboratory actively utilizes the telecommuting system. The post currently being offered may be carried out through telecommuting (full-remote work) within Japan for the entire specified work period, provided that the required procedures are completed and approval is obtained from RIKEN. For more information, please get in touch with the hiring staff at kobe-jobs@riken.jp.
*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.

Description

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: three positions
Position-specific tasks are as follows:
Research Scientist
Conduct research projects and other activities in corresponding laboratories.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Receive training and guidance from senior staff; conduct research projects and other activities for corresponding laboratories.

Attached documents

Application Form :
Online Submission
Please refer to "job Posting URL".

Selection

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 position). No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Notification of result
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.