OIST 2023 Internship Program (Fully Funded), Japan

Students in Bachelor and Master program or recently graduated interested in joining the OIST PhD program may undertake educational activity at OIST as a Research Intern. A research internship at OIST provides students with experience working in a research environment under the direction of OIST faculty.

OIST strives to create and maintain an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment that does not discriminate against gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, medical condition, race, ethnicity, ancestry, culture, national origin, religion, or marital status. Applications from women and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

• Table of Content
• About Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
• OIST PhD Internship Program
• Aim and Benefits of OIST PhD Internship Program
• Requirements for OIST PhD Internship Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for OIST PhD Internship Program
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University is a private, interdisciplinary graduate school located in Onna, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The school offers a 5-year PhD program in Science. Over half of the faculty and students are recruited from outside Japan, and all education and research is conducted entirely in English. OIST relies on public subsidies paid by the Japanese government.... read more... continue reading

OIST PhD Internship Program

Application Deadline	15 Apr 2023
Country to study	Japan
School to study	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
Type	Internship
Sponsor	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of OIST PhD Internship Program

Research Intern places are awarded twice a year on a competitive basis. Selection is highly competitive, and depends on suitability of the intended research, academic background, available funding and space. Not all available positions will necessarily be filled.

Requirements for OIST PhD Internship Program Qualification

Those eligible to apply for the OIST Research Internship Program include excellent students who are in the final 2 years of the undergraduate or Masters programs in universities, colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools in Japan or overseas, or graduates of such institutions. Currently enrolled students must have approval from their home institution. Academic background of applicants should be appropriate to their desired host unit(s) at OIST.

Research Interns who belong to a Japanese university/institution are required to prepare and bring their own insurances when accepted to the OIST Research Internship program. Acceptable insurances are the combination of Gakkensai and Gakkenbai, or other insurances with similar coverage.

Interview date, Process and Venue for OIST PhD Internship Program

Application Round	Application Deadline	Result Announcement	Period of internship
Spring 2023 Internship	October 15th 2022, 23:59 (JST UTC+9)	Late December 2022	Between April 1st 2023- September 30th 2023
Fall 2023 Internship	April 15th 2023, 23:59 (JST UTC+9)	Late June 2023	Between October 1st 2023 – March 31st 2024

*The period of the internship must be between 2 and 6 months consecutively.
*Selection results for the Research Internship Program will be announced via the Navii system.
*Due to COVID-19, arrivals of students residing outside of Japan is subjected to the international travel restrictions and quarantine requirement at the time of arrival. As situation is subjected to change, while OIST will provide the best support possible, there are cases where internships must be delayed, postponed or even cancelled.

Documents Required for Application

You will need to open an account in order to apply to the program. Be sure to remember your username and password. You may complete the application all at once or in multiple sessions. Please fill out and submit the following materials to apply for the program:

1) Statement of purpose

The Statement of Interest form is provided on the online application form.

Please write a 400 words (2500 characters) statement including the following points:

• How does OIST and your desired research unit(s) fit with your current expertise and skill set? If you are interested in multiple research units, please explain your interest and fit for each briefly within one single statement.
• What do you hope to accomplish at OIST?
• How does a research internship at OIST fit into your overall career plans/aspirations?

2) Academic Transcript and Diploma

Scanned copies of your current academic transcript and any other transcript from your past degree  (BSc, MSc, etc.)

Diploma (BSc, MSc, etc.) in PDF format (if applicable)

• A scan of an unofficial transcript or other record of grades may be uploaded to the application website.
• English explanation is required for transcripts that are not written in English.
• If you have not graduated and do not have a diploma yet, please upload a certificate of enrolment from your institution (which preferably indicates your expected graduation date)

3) Recommendation Letter

A letter of reference from an academic or research professional familiar with your work is required. Each applicant is required to have at least one and no more than three letters of recommendation from appropriate recommenders. The application system will ask your recommenders directly for the letter(s), using the email contact details that you provide in the web application form. Please obtain the consent of your referee before submitting their details in the form. We do not accept any letters via email from applicants. Applicants will be automatically notified within the application system when OIST receives a recommendation letter.

4) ID Photo

Upload a recent photo, showing your face from the front in standard passport orientation.

Once you have obtained/ prepared all the documents above, please apply to the program through this APPLICATION FORM

Note: We recommend using a computer when preparing the online application. If you prefer using a mobile device, please make sure to have the latest operating system for the application to work properly.

Application Deadline

April 15, 2023

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) on navii.oist.jp to apply

1. Applications to the program must be made through the online form.
2. You can only submit your application after at least one recommendation letter is received in the application system.
3. You will receive an auto-notification that your application has been received. (Please check your settings to ensure you can receive emails from @oist.jp domain.)
4. Following the application period, applications will be screened and selection will be completed.
5. The result announcement will be posted on your application platform 3 months after the application deadline. You will receive a notification when the result is posted. (In some cases, applicants' email services/settings prevent receipt of our notifications. Please confirm that your inbox is able to receive emails from @oist.jp domain.)
6. Following final confirmation of internship offers, all necessary arrangements will be made, in cooperation with the interns. Your cooperation is required for timely completion of logistics to begin the internship, including possible visa preparations and other necessary Japanese government documentation.

For more details visit: OIST website.