In addition to the Doctoral Program, seminars and workshops, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate School (OIST) provides students enrolled in Japanese and overseas universities with education and research opportunities through a system of collaborative graduate programs and placements.
These allow students to receive research guidance in a broad range of topics from Principal Investigators of research laboratories at OIST (units) through two different student research assistantships.
Graduate Student Research Assistants are intended for extended periods (more than 6 months), during which students receive research guidance towards a thesis from a Principal Investigator.
Shorter appointments (Short-Term Student Research Assistantships, of less than 6 months duration) are available for brief internships in a particular laboratory or to learn a specific technique. OIST provides stipends and living support for students appointed to these assistantships. Places for Short Term Research Assistants are awarded four times a year on a competitive basis.
Types of Student Research Assistantships
Graduate Student Research Assistantship (for periods longer than 6 months)
Graduate Student Research Assistants are individuals employed by OIST who conclude employment agreements for a fixed period of time and engage in research in the research units of OIST.
Qualifications
| Category | Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Level A Graduate Student Research Assistants | Individuals enrolled in master’s, pre-doctoral, or doctoral courses who can make research presentations at international conferences and otherwise possess the same level of abilities as researchers. Graduate students who are enrolled in doctoral programs and who have passed qualifying examinations to start doctoral thesis research. |
| Level B Graduate Student Research Assistants | Individuals enrolled in master’s, pre-doctoral, or doctoral courses aside from those categorized as Level A Graduate Student Research Assistants. Students enrolled in undergraduate or master’s degree programs, or doctoral students who have not passed qualifying examinations to start thesis research. |
Employment Agreement Period
In principle, the employment agreement period for Graduate Student Research Assistants is within one fiscal year (start of April of one year to end of March of the next). Employment contracts for Graduate Student Research Assistants may be renewed at the end of a contract period depending on budget availability, the necessity of the work engaged in, and the Research Assistant’s work performance.
Salary
The salaries of Graduate Student Research Assistants comprise a Basic Stipend, Housing Allowance, and Commuting Allowance. The basic stipend is paid as a monthly amount in accordance with the pay grades stipulated in the regulations, and housing allowance, commuting allowance, vacation and holidays, and sick leave entitlements follow the arrangements for full-time fixed-term staff members.
Short-Term Student Research Assistantship (for periods shorter than 6 months)
Short-Term Student Research Assistants are persons enrolled at graduate or undergraduate programs in universities, colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools in Japan or overseas, who do research and training in laboratories at OIST for less than six months. They must have approval from their home universities. They work under the direction of a Principal Investigator at OIST and contribute to the research activities of OIST.
Qualifications
Short-Term Student Research Assistants will be drawn from universities and other institutions that meet either one of the following qualifications
1. Universities or institutions that have an official program that gives credit for an internship, or
2. An official letter of request or similar document is submitted to OIST by the head of an institution, a university Dean, or similar, or a person who is delegated by the head.
Duration
The Short-Term Research Assistantships are only available for periods of less than six months, and will not be normally be extended.
Travel Expenses
OIST will pay for one direct roundtrip travel for Short-Term Student Research Assistants between the home university or institution in which the Short-Term Student Research Assistant is enrolled and the research unit or other facility where the internship will take place (usually Okinawa).
Internship Allowance etc.
OIST will pay successful applicants 2,500 JPY / day as an Internship Allowance, up to a maximum of 45,000 JPY / month as a Commuting Allowance and up to a maximum of 3,500 JPY / day as Overnight Accommodation Costs.
Admission Procedure
Places for Short Term Research Assistants are awarded four times a year on a competitive basis. Applications for admission are accepted during the months of December, March, June, and September. Selection is competitive, and depends on suitability of the intended research, a student's academic background, and available funding and space. The applicant is notified of the receipt of an application, and then of the outcome of their application once a decision has been made. Please email Student Support for an application form, which also details the necessary supporting documentation.
Application Deadlines
|
Internship Starting Date |
Jan 4 – Mar 31 |
Apr 1 – Jun 30 |
Jul 1 – Sep 30 |
Oct 1 – Dec 28 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Application Deadline |
Aug 30 |
Nov 29 |
Feb 28 |
May 31 |
Applicants who intend to import biological or hazardous material for their research are urged to ensure that such import is in compliance with all regulations of their home country, any country of transit, and of Japan.
Regulations
Detailed regulations pertaining to matters of payment, intellectual property rights, attendance, health and safety, and other matters have been drawn up and will be made available to successful applicants.
Qualification Requirements
In order for OIST to receive long-term thesis students, it is required, in principle, for OIST and the university which students are enrolled at to have concluded an academic exchange agreement. However, this principle does not apply for Short-Term Student Research Assistants. Principal Investigators accepting students under these programs will review the student’s qualifications, research capabilities, and academic training in a comprehensive manner. Students must take out “Disaster and Accident Insurance for Students Engaged in Education and Research”(for Japanese students), or a similar kind of insurance and provide proof of such coverage (such as policy number and a copy of the agreement) before coming to OIST.
Student Support
OIST can provide support for students at OIST such as housing assistance, visa acquisition procedures, social insurance procedures etc.
Contact
For more details, please e-mail Student Support Section