Inheriting "Irreplaceable Data" for the Future

Fundamental physics fields such as nuclear, particle, and astrophysics rely on massive experimental facilities like giant accelerators and observation satellites. While experimental physics has a deep-rooted tradition of "building one's own tools," a significant challenge remains: of the vast data acquired through immense cost and time, often only a few percent of specific physical events are analyzed and published in papers. Although the remaining majority of the data likely contains valuable phenomena, much of the data is left discarded or inaccessible—effectively "abandoned" — because experimental conditions and contextual metadata are not systematically archived.

In today's world, however, where physical and economic constraints make it nearly impossible to replicate experiments under identical conditions, these datasets represent an invaluable asset. We, the Fundamental Physics Data Sharing Unit, are spearheading a structural transformation to ensure that this underutilized data be shared and passed down in a reusable format.

A New Scheme to Bridge the Research Frontline and Information Infrastructure

Our mission isn't just about developing analysis software. It’s about establishing a new scheme and method that functionally bridges the gap between the research frontline and information platforms. For a long time, the biggest obstacles to data sharing have been the lack of resources at the lab level and the absence of an evaluation system that recognizes and rewards sharing efforts.

Now, we are working in coordination with the RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters (R-IH) to redefine incentives. We are creating real career benefits for researchers by introducing KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that evaluate contributions to data sharing and open science on the same level as traditional paper citations. At the same time, we are refining practical "service levels" for the data itself. This includes providing packages that can perfectly replicate the original analysis environment, as well as high-level data that researchers from other fields can immediately use for their own calculations.

In addition, we are collaborating with theoretical research groups to share intermediate data from large-scale supercomputer simulations. Our goal by doing this is to help researchers avoid redundant calculations that cost a fortune in time and money, dramatically boosting the overall efficiency of theoretical research.

Starting with Three Fields, Then Going Global

Currently, our unit is focusing on three key fields: particle, nuclear, and space. These fields have a long history of collaboration and share a common language and background, making them powerful partners for pioneering our data-sharing model. Our strategy is to establish a successful model within these highly compatible fields at first, then gradually expand it to become the standard across all of RIKEN.

Our vision for open science isn't about the bureaucratic, "top-down" mandates you often see in Europe. Instead, I want to carry forward the tradition of "practical openness" that has long been nurtured in particle, nuclear, and astrophysics. My goal is to build a sustainable framework that integrates the following three elements:

1. (1) Platform: Securing a permanent data storage infrastructure that doesn't depend on individual research grants.
2. (2) Recognition of Personnel: Properly evaluating data management specialists as professionals in their own right.
3. (3) Organization: Building a framework where the organization, not just specific individuals, remains responsible for managing data over the long term.

Our ultimate goal is for data sharing to become an "essential infrastructure"—as natural and expected as email or Wi-Fi. In the future, even if our unit as a formal organization were to dissolve, I want its functions to be infiltrated as a part of RIKEN's standard operating procedure. At the same time, we are committed to contributing to the global network of experts. This includes providing data to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and offering high-quality data to emerging nations that may not have their own large-scale experimental facilities.

Ideal candidate profile: "Constructors" pursuing the rationality of science

This unit is a place where we support the frontiers of physics through the lens of "information reconstruction" and design the research environment of the next generation. We are looking for individuals who hold a PhD-level expertise in particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, or related fields, and who can also masterfully wield data processing and IT skills—such as programming and data structures—as their own tools.

What is required here is not just a dedication to your own individual research theme, but an attitude that finds genuine joy in collaborating to build systems for the advancement of science as a whole. You need the management skills to drive projects autonomously, as well as the communication skills to collaborate smoothly with researchers from other fields and experts in information science.

This unit has only just begun, and we are still finding our way through trial and error. We are looking for "like-minded visionaries" who have “out-of-the-box” thinking—those who pursue the inherent rationality of science and are eager to build the research infrastructure of the future together.