RIKEN is currently accepting applications for the FY 2024 Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) Program from young, creative, independent researchers who will be a powerful force in furthering RIKEN’s research activities.

The Fellowship offers a competitive salary and independent research funds for a term of 3 years. The candidate will belong to a chosen research group at RIKEN, many of which specialize in different aspects of quantum computing and information.

Number of openings
Around 70
(subject to change with any change depending on budget)

Qualifications
Applicants must fulfill all four conditions given below:

1. Be prepared to independently and responsibly pursue a research topic.
2. Have a PhD awarded on or after January 1, 2018, or expect to be awarded a PhD by the date of hire.
   Note: Those with PhDs acquired prior to December 31, 2017, may also apply if there was a lapse in their research activity, and if subtracting this period of non-research activity will allow them an equivalency that meets the above requirement. If applicable, please fill the details (specific reasons and period) in the application form.

   RIKEN’s screening committee will determine whether the period of lapse is justifiable after the deadline for submitting the application.
   Examples of acceptable periods of lapse: maternity leave, childcare leave, and working in private industry in a non-research capacity.

3. Able to start work in FY2024 (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025)
4. Those who have previously participated in the SPDR and FPR programs are NOT eligible to apply.

Place of work
The candidate can apply to work with any chosen research group at RIKEN. Please consult the list of participating RIKEN groups (PDF).

RIKEN has a large number of research teams working on quantum computing within the newly established RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing. Groups of particular interest to candidates in quantum information include:

• Mathematical Quantum Information Research Team led by Dr Bartosz Regula (starting April 2023),
• Analytical Quantum Complexity Research Team led by Dr Tomotaka Kuwahara,
• Nonequilibrium Quantum Statistical Mechanics Research Team led by Dr Ryusuke Hamazaki,
• Quantum Computing Theory Research Team led by Dr Keisuke Fujii,
• Quantum Computational Science Research Team led by Dr Seiji Yunoki,
• Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team led by Dr Franco Nori,
• Superconducting Quantum Electronics Research Team led by Dr Yasunobu Nakamura,

and others.

Location of RIKEN host laboratory
The address and work location written above may differ depending on the hosting laboratory. Please confirm the hosting laboratory's location on the website of its affiliated center.

Duration of contract
Three years from date of hire (in principle, April 1, 2024) (Actual starting date to be decided upon consultation)

Salary and benefits

1. Annual salary paid in monthly installments of 550,000 yen (social insurance premiums and taxes included). Commuting allowance (actual cost up to maximum of 55,000 yen per month) and housing allowance (partial payment of rent) will also be paid.
2. Travel cost to take up the appointment at RIKEN will be compensated according to RIKEN’s rules and regulations.
3. Enrollment in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (Kyosaikai) is compulsory. A Kyosaikai membership fee will be automatically deducted from your salary each month.
4. Days off from work include Saturdays and Sundays, national holidays, year-end/New Year holidays (Dec 29 to Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day.
5. Other provisions as per RIKEN regulations.
6. Research budget: 1,000,000 yen per year, an additional budget can be available upon screening.

Application procedures and deadline

Basic information registration deadline: April 6, 2023 (5pm Japan time). Deadline for submission of documents and reference letters: April 13, 2023.

Please consult the SPDR call for applications for details on the procedures.

Language
Either Japanese or English is acceptable for SPDR application documents and interviews.