IBM Japan Research Scientist

IBM
IBM

Tokyo, Japan

Posted on Sep 24, 2026
Apply now
Introduction

With an 80-year history, IBM Research has driven technological innovation from the world's first programmable computer to today's quantum computers. Our overriding goal is to develop and promote advanced technologies that will shape the world. Toward that goal, more than 3,000 researchers around the world work every day to predict, experiment, and invent what's next in science and technology. As a member of IBM Research, we are working with researchers around the world to develop technology that will change the world.

  • Semiconductors

IBM conducts semiconductor research and development in collaboration with our global laboratories in Albany and Yorktown in the United States, as well as Bromont in Canada. We also work with Rapidus Corporation in Japan. Within the semiconductor division, we focus on advanced logic circuit design, packaging technologies such as chiplets, optimization systems for semiconductor manufacturing processes, and data‑science‑driven research aimed at improving performance and quality in the semiconductor field.

  • AI Technologies

We conduct research ranging from fundamental natural language processing and speech processing to the development of open and efficient LLMs and Speech LLMs, as well as their multilingual support and domain specialization.

  • AI Platform and Infrastructure

We are advancing research to evolve computing infrastructures for AI. This includes AI accelerators that can efficiently process foundation models, their compilers and runtimes, and distributed inference technologies such as KV cache offloading and container orchestration.

  • Algorithms & Applications

By combining AI technologies with quantum computing, we aim to develop new algorithms, and tool sets capable of solving difficult problems that were previously unsolvable. Our work includes developing new algorithms to solve large‑scale combinatorial optimization problems more quickly, as well as techniques that leverage AI to efficiently discover new algorithms.

  • Quantum

The quantum team in Japan is a global leader in developing quantum‑centric supercomputing technologies that integrate QPUs, CPUs, and GPUs. The team is engaged in software development enabling the integration of quantum and HPC, engineering and research for new algorithms, next‑generation quantum education, and the development of the quantum computing supply chain.

Your role and responsibilities

Create your next innovation with IBM Research researchers around the world. By publishing in prestigious academic conferences and journals, obtaining patents with business value, contributing to the community and industry through standardization and open source, contributing to IBM products and services, and contributing to business transformation for clients and industries, we are making a difference in the world. You will leverage your specialized knowledge to create innovative technologies and collaborate with researchers and other IBM departments to create world-changing innovations.

Required education
Master's Degree
Preferred education
Doctorate Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
  • Must be scheduled to obtain (or have already obtained) a master's degree in a science or engineering field or possess equivalent skills
  • Must be able to work full-time within Japan
  • Must possess the language ability to work in English or have the willingness to acquire it
  • Must possess the language ability to work in Japanese or have the willingness to acquire it
Preferred technical and professional experience
  • Understanding of IBM Research's mission and commitment to contributing toward research and innovation goals.
  • Proactive mindset with the ability to contribute ideas and take initiative beyond assigned responsibilities.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work with researchers, IBM teams, and clients to co-create innovative solutions.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

For additional information about location requirements, please discuss with the recruiter following submission of your application.

Apply now
See more open positions at IBM