Principal Researcher

Principal Researcher at Fujitsu's Space Data Frontiers Research Center

The Space Data Frontiers Research Center (Space Center) at Fujitsu specializes in pioneering business opportunities in space-related technologies. The center focuses on using AI and advanced computing to process, analyze, and utilize data from space in real-time, aiming to support both Earth-bound industries and future human space exploration. We are seeking a visionary and hands-on Principal Researcher to define and drive the scientific and technical foundation of our next-generation Earth Intelligence Platform.

In this role, you will lead research at the intersection of Earth Observation (EO), geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI/ML). You will architect scalable, multi-modal data synthesis frameworks that translate vast streams of satellite, aerial, in-situ, and climate data into actionable insights for global decision-making, sustainability, and industrial applications. As a senior research leader, you will bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific innovation, enterprise-grade platform architecture, and real-world strategic impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Research Leadership & Strategy
• Define the Scientific
  
  Roadmap:
  
  Lead the long-term research vision for multi-source Earth data fusion, physical-AI modeling, and geospatial intelligence.
• Algorithm & Model Development:
  Conceptualize and prototype novel machine learning models (e.g., geospatial foundation models, computer vision for EO, spatio-temporal neural networks, and physical-data hybrid models).
• Cross-Domain Innovation:
  Develop methods for scaling planetary-level analysis, including land-use monitoring, disaster response dynamics, climate risk modeling, and global supply chain tracking.
• Platform Architecture & Data Integration
• Multi-Modal Data Fusion:
  Architect approaches to integrate heterogeneous datasets—including optical, SAR, hyperspectral, IoT sensor networks, weather, and oceanographic data—into unified, queryable frameworks.
• Scalable Analytics:
  Partner with engineering teams to translate experimental algorithms into production-ready, low-latency APIs and platform capabilities.
• Standards & Interoperability:
  Ensure platform alignment with modern geospatial standards (e.g., STAC, COG, OGC standards) and big-data processing paradigms.
• Collaboration & External Thought Leadership
• Publication & IP:
  Publish high-impact research in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings (e.g., Remote Sensing of Environment, IEEE TGRS, NeurIPS, ICML).
• File patents where applicable.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Translate complex technical and planetary science concepts into clear value propositions for executive leaders, industry partners, and institutional stakeholders.
• Mentorship:
  Guide and mentor intern researchers and engineers to foster a culture of research rigor and fast-paced experimentation.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Education:
  
  Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Information Science (GIS), Computer Science, Earth System Science, Geophysics, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Experience:
  
  2+ years of post-PhD research experience (or equivalent industry experience) developing algorithms and systems for large-scale geospatial or earth data processing.
• Technical Mastery:
  Deep expertise in computer vision and ML/DL frameworks (PyTorch, Tensor Flow) applied to spatial/temporal satellite imagery (SAR, Optical, Thermal).
• Proven experience with big geospatial data tools (e.g., Google Earth Engine, Planetary Computer, Xarray, Rasterio, GDAL, Apache Sedona).
• Strong programming proficiency in Python and modern data pipeline tools.
• System Design:
  Track record of taking complex research models from concept to prototype and helping transition them into scalable cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).

Core competencies:

• Systemic & Strategic Thinking:
  Ability to see how individual algorithms power broader platform capabilities and business value.
• Scientific Rigor:
  Uncompromising standard for data quality, uncertainty quantification, and model validation.
• Collaborative Leadership:
  Exceptional communication skills with the ability to bridge conversations between deep-tech scientists, software engineers, and business executives.

Fujitsu is the largest IT company in Japan and among the largest in the world. Fujitsu's mission is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. Join us in shaping the future of the world.