Engaging in a national project in collaboration with AIST

I majored in material science in university. While I thought I could do something interesting even if I stayed in academia, I eventually chose to pursue a career in corporate research due to the appeal of income stability and my desire to translate my research into practice. What solidified my decision among the many worthy companies was the mindset of the management team, which I encountered during the recruitment process. The team demonstrated a deep interest in granular technical details, highlighting NEC's culture of nurturing even fundamental technologies. Once I found out that my knowledge from research in university could be useful, I applied for a position at NEC and successfully landed a job.

Upon joining NEC, I was assigned to the quantum sensing team, newly formed around that time. I carry out research in a collaborative lab jointly established by NEC and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba. Engaging in daily discussions with AIST researchers fosters inspiration and significantly accelerates our research.

The core of our team’s research is the sensing technique using the quantum effects of atoms in the gaseous state. After joining NEC, I participated in developing an ultra-high precision atomic clock, focusing on time measurement. This was a national project with government offices as the client, aimed at developing a palm-sized atomic clock. Such an atomic clock, maintaining high precision down to less than 1 microsecond per month, is crucial for GPS positioning and high-capacity communication synchronization. I was involved in prototyping and evaluating systems to achieve stable operational conditions.

Environment with freedom and tension

The laboratory in Tsukuba seems to have a unique culture different from that in the headquarters or Tamagawa Office. Customers and students who come here to see the experiment facilities often say that it has a university-like atmosphere. This happi coat that I am wearing has been passed on through generations of researchers in Tsukuba and has been used in corporate festivals and drinking parties. The culture is still very much alive to this date, also involving the AIST researchers.

While we enjoy the freedom and openness in this environment, we also work with a sense of accountability and urgency for delivering meaningful and impactful results since there are many teams working on foundational research with a medium-to-long term timeline. Consequently, team members exhibit quick responses and readiness to assist with queries. During the past five years, I have benefited from numerous instances where consulting colleagues helped me overcome obstacles and progress.

Moreover, researchers with different backgrounds, such as those specializing in nanomaterials, also reside within the lab. During general meetings discussing current research challenges, unexpected experts might offer solutions and insights. This is another positive characteristic of laboratories in NEC.

My advice to students would be to explore anything that grabs their curiosity. While it is certainly valuable to cultivate a core passion or area of interest, the pace of change in today’s world is rapid. Therefore, having a broad range of interests and experiences allows for greater adaptability and resilience to changes. Moreover, the rich tapestry of experiences gained along the way can unexpectedly contribute to the future pursuits and aspirations.