The PFN spirit that we put in the required qualifications – “Qualified applicants must be familiar with all aspects of computer science”

＊Some of our guidelines for applicants have already been updated to make our true intent conveyed properly, based on the content of this blog.
 
Hello, this is Nishikawa, CEO of PFN.
I am going to write about one of our hiring requirements.
It is about the wording in the job section of our website used to describe one of the qualifications/requirements for researchers – “Researchers must be seitsu (精通, “familiar with” in Japanese) all aspects of computer science.” We have always had this requirement since the times of PFI because we truly believe in the importance of having a deep knowledge of not just one specific branch but various areas when doing research on computer science.
Take database research for example. It is essential to have thorough knowledge of not only the theory of transaction processing and relational algebra, but also storage and the computer architecture to run a database. Researchers are also required to know about computer networks, now that distributed databases have become common. In today’s deep-learning research, using just one computer could not produce competitive results, thus high-efficient parallel processing is a must. For creating a framework, to understand the structure of computer architecture and language processors is vital. When creating a domain-specific language, without understanding the programming language theory, you will easily end up making a language that looks like an annex added to a building as an afterthought. In reinforcement learning, it is important to refine simulation and rendering technologies.
In short, we live in an age when one who only knows about only one particular area can no longer have an advantage. Furthermore, it is difficult to know in advance which areas of computer science should be fused into generating new technology. In order to realize our mission, that is, to make a breakthrough with cutting-edge technologies, it is extremely important to strive to familiarize oneself with each and every branch of computer science.
This familiarity, a comprehensive knowledge and deep understanding in every field of computer science, is expressed by the Japanese word seitsu mentioned in the first paragraph. The word does not mean you can publish papers in top conferences – that would require not only seitsu but also the ability to conduct new groundbreaking research. (Being able to perform such research is a very important skill that we also need to acquire.) It also does not mean to “know everything” about each field. Someone who declares he knows everything is, rather, not a scientist.
The field of computer science is making rapid progress and we must always pursue its advancement. Sometimes I come across comments making fun of the passage “with all aspects of computer science” on social media, but the message we put into the job requirement has played an important role in shaping PFN culture and so it has remained to date. We will continue to stick to this principle. That said, we also understand the need to come up with an expression that is not misleading. The domain of computer science has been expanding rapidly over the past decade. This trend will no doubt continue to accelerate. New fields of study will emerge after combining many different fields within and outside of the computer science domain. Considering this, we should revise the employment condition in light of the following factors:
 

・It will become more important to absorb changes and progress that will be made in computer science and become acquainted with new fields that will come out in the future rather than being well-versed in all aspects of computer science at this point. (It is, of course, still necessary to have an extensive knowledge.) We will treat an applicant’s eagerness and passion for learning as more important than his current knowledge.

・We value an applicant’s forward-looking attitude toward deepening an understanding of not only computer science but also other fields such as software engineering, life science and mechanical engineering.

・We welcome not only experts in the artificial intelligence field but also specialists in various areas of expertise to make innovation by combining new technologies.

 
The criterion has been applied only to researchers, but I believe it is crucial for everyone to be united to open up a path to new technology with no distinction between researchers and engineers because researchers need to have some engineering knowledge while engineers need to make efforts to understand research as well. Therefore, we will make this a requirement for both researchers and engineers.
It is also an important duty for me to create a workplace in which all valuable PFN members can do their best to innovate and create new technology, which I will continue to actively work on.
 
PFN is looking for talented people with diverse expertise in various fields. If you are interested in working with us, please apply at the following link
https://www.preferred-networks.jp/en/job