OIST is inviting applications for the FY2026 pilot of the Sustainable Energy Testbed Validation Program. The Program supports startups and SMEs, in Japan or overseas, in validating energy-centered technologies in real-world or field-like settings, and in turning the results into credible evidence for their next technical, business, partnership, or deployment decision.

Up to two projects will be selected. Each will receive up to JPY 2 million, and up to an additional JPY 1 million may be considered for meaningful collaboration with an OIST Research Unit or Core Facility. Projects must be completed by the end of March 2027.

Applications may be submitted in Japanese or English from 9 October 2026, 10:00 JST, to 28 October 2026, 17:00 JST.

OISTは、Sustainable Energy Testbed Validation Program（パイロット）のFY2026公募を実施します。本プログラムは、国内外のスタートアップおよび中小企業を対象に、エネルギー関連技術を実環境またはそれに近い環境で検証し、その結果を次の技術開発、事業、連携、導入に関する意思決定につながるエビデンスとして活用することを支援するものです。

採択件数は最大2件で、1件あたり最大200万円を支援します。OISTの研究ユニットまたはコアファシリティとの実質的な連携がある場合は、最大100万円の追加支援を検討します。プロジェクトは2027年3月末までに完了する必要があります。

応募は日本語または英語で受け付けます。応募期間は2026年10月9日 10:00から10月28日 17:00まで（いずれも日本時間）です。

National holiday

OIST Sports Fiesta 2026 is coming — our first community-wide day of sport, teams, food, music, and fun activities all to raise funds for new gym equipment. Held on National Sports Day: Monday Oct 12, 1–5 PM at Akama Sports Field, open to students, staff, faculty, and families (kids welcome!).

Seminar by Kwabena Boahen, Stanford University

Paul Feehan (Rutgers University): October 13, 2:30pm-3:30pm, lecture room L5D23.

Title: Towards a Bogomolov-Miyaoka-Yau inequality for symplectic 4-manifolds, II

Abstract: The Bogomolov-Miyaoka-Yau inequality for minimal compact complex surfaces of general type was proved in 1977 independently by Miyaoka, using methods of algebraic geometry, and by Yau, as an outgrowth of his proof of the Calabi conjectures. In this talk, we describe progress in our ongoing program to prove the conjecture that symplectic 4-manifolds obey the Bogomolov-Miyaoka-Yau inequality. Our program uses Morse theory on the gauge theoretic moduli space of non-Abelian monopoles, where the Morse function is a Hamiltonian for a natural circle action and natural two-form. We shall describe generalizations of Donaldson’s symplectic subspace criterion (1996) from finite to infinite dimensions and generalizations of Taubes' perturbation analysis from the Seiberg-Witten to non-Abelian monopole equations. These methods have application to the problem of showing that the fundamental two-form is non-degenerate and thus an almost symplectic form on the moduli space of non-Abelian monopoles. This talk is based on joint work with Tom Leness and the monographs https://arxiv.org/abs/2010.15789 (to appear in AMS Mathematical Surveys and Monographs), https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.14710 and https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.13809 .

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Target audience: Interns, Students, PostDocs, and those who are interested in the same research field. Language: English

Simon Lentner , OIST Title: Nichols algebras and Kazhdan Lusztig correspondences

Cristina Ana-Maria Anghel (Université Clermont Auvergne): October 13, 4pm-5pm, lecture room L5D23 (online talk).

Title: Universal Link Invariants via Configuration Spaces

Abstract: Coloured Jones and Alexander polynomials are quantum invariants originating in representation theory and their geometric information is an important open problem in quantum topology. We present a new topological perspective that unifies these invariants through the topology of configuration spaces. First, for a fixed N, we define new link invariants: "N-th Unified Jones invariant" and "N-th Unified Alexander invariant" globalising all coloured Jones and ADO link polynomials of (multi)-colours bounded by N. Asymptotically, Habiro defined his universal knot invariant globalising coloured Jones polynomials by introducing the Habiro ring. For the link case, such globalisation remained open for both sequences of invariants. We answer this problem coming from representation theory using topological tools. On the representation theory side we define extensions of Habiro type rings. On the topological side, we construct a universal Jones link invariant and a universal Alexander link invariant. Putting these together, our universal invariants of geometrical nature take values in the extended Habiro rings that we construct.

Dynamics, Fluctuations, and Entanglement in Quantum Materials and Many-Body Systems

Title: From dislocation dynamics to Hamilton-Jacobi equations: homogenization and the Orowan mechanism

Speaker: Dr. Panrui Ni (Waseda University)

TSVP Talk Language: English (no interpretation). Target audience: General audience / everyone at OIST and beyond. Freely accessible to all OIST members and guests without registration (also via Zoom).

The seminar will focus on risk management, with invited external experts discussing risk management in research laboratories and across the university as a whole.

Introducing graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in Japan with some of the knowledge and tools needed to start thinking about and planning personal finances effectively.

Dr. Saahil Achariya is an OIST Graduate and now a post-doc in the Kusumi Unit

Four sessions over two Fridays, October 9 and 16 from 0900-1200 in L4E01

A mini course on the application of machine learning in polymer chemistry

Professor Rong Tong is Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech

5 lectures over 5 weeks. October 16 to November 13 (Friday afternoons)

Please join us to celebrate Gil, who has served as OIST's Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach, as he prepares to conclude his role at OIST at the end of October.

This science talk features an OIST researcher and a guest science communicator as they explore the mysteries of the octopus mind.

In this workshop, OIST researcher, Dr. Tomoyuki Mano, and guest science communicator, Dr. Danna Staaf, invite participants to explore the fascinating world of the octopus mind. Octopuses may look strange, but they are smart and full of surprises! Join our two speakers and discover the secrets of the octopus! Registration Required

OIST Workshop | Website | Main organizer: Marco Terenzio (Molecular Neuroscience Unit) |OIST members are welcome to attend all scientific sessions. Meals are closed sessions for registered participants only.

This science talk features an OIST researcher and a guest science communicator as they explore the mysteries of the octopus mind.

In this workshop, OIST researcher, Dr. Tomoyuki Mano, and guest science communicator, Dr. Danna Staaf, invite participants to explore the fascinating world of the octopus mind. Octopuses may look strange, but they are smart and full of surprises! Join our two speakers and discover the secrets of the octopus! Registration Required

Language: English

Short Talks & Elevator Speeches

In this webinar, we will discuss the most important components of scientific storytelling, namely: how to make a talk focused and engaging; how to present the appropriate amount of data with appealing slide design; how to make the talk personal, memorable, and aid future collaborations - useful tool for conferences and proposals. The webinar is highly interactive so students should come prepared to share selective ideas of their work.

Language: English

TSVP Talk Language: English (no interpretation). Target audience: General audience / everyone at OIST and beyond. Freely accessible to all OIST members and guests without registration (also via Zoom).

In this seminar, I will present our studies of DNA replication origins from evolutionarily distant bacteria, including Escherichia coli, the hyperthermophile Thermotoga maritima, and the alphaproteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus. Comparison of these species reveals striking differences in origin architecture, providing a unique opportunity to explore how replication initiation systems evolve while maintaining the same fundamental function. By combining biochemical, genetic, and comparative approaches, we uncovered unexpected flexibility in DnaA-dependent origin function.

Monthly Co-working space - by Bioinformatics User Group

TSVP Talk Language: English (no interpretation). Target audience: General audience / everyone at OIST and beyond. Freely accessible to all OIST members and guests without registration (also via Zoom).

A mini course on the application of machine learning in polymer chemistry

Professor Rong Tong is Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech

5 lectures over 5 weeks. October 16 to November 13 (Friday afternoons)

The Provost Lecture Series

“PowerPoint Karaoke” (Lab0, L4D Lounge), 20:00-22:00. Each participant will improvise a presentation on 10 slides for 10 minutes . No preparation and no subject expertise are required. Just bring your creativity, confidence, and sense of humor. Registration link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/zVMB2sJfz1

Speaker: Dr. Sascha Sadewasser, Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Portugal

This debate is hosted by OIST’s Debate Club and will feature two teams, one arguing in favour of the motion and one arguing against.

Long Talks and Dissertations

This webinar is dedicated to the skill of holding an audience’s attention for longer periods of time, such as during dissertations, defenses, or critical job talks. Special attention will be given to long-form storytelling, using consistent and repetitive imagery and connecting data to the larger theme, while stressing skill sets and novel contributions to the field. Other topics include delivery techniques for long talks, and how to demonstrate knowledge, pride, and commitment with humility and grace.

[Seminar] "Making input-specific synaptic changes last: from synaptic tagging mechanisms to cell-adhesion codes" by Dr. Mathieu Letellier, The Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS), University of Bordeaux

October 27, 2026 11:00-12:00 @B503, Center Bldg.

Science Day Gunma 2026 is a science outreach event for high school students in Gunma Prefecture, co-hosted by Gunma University and OIST. Through seminars, hands-on exhibits, and career consultations, participants will explore cutting-edge research in areas such as quantum computing, quantum sensors, future battery technologies, and advanced medicine, while learning about opportunities for future study and careers in science.

“Beyond Academia: Startup Careers at OIST” with Pizza networking session organized with OIST Innovation (C210), 16:00-18:00. Details to be provided later.

Seminar by JSPS Fellow: Asa Conover

Title: Tiny Walkers, Big Survivors: Building a Toolkit to Illuminate Brain and Behavior in Tardigrades

Speaker: Dr. Ana Lyons, Stellar Science Global Science Scholar, Keio University, Institute for Advance Biosciences; RIKEN IMS

A mini course on the application of machine learning in polymer chemistry

Professor Rong Tong is Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech

5 lectures over 5 weeks. October 16 to November 13 (Friday afternoons)

During Blitz Talks , speakers showcase their research within 3 minutes! A panel of referees will evaluate and choose the best presentations .

National holiday

Mr. Hongda Zhao, Kyoto University

TSVP Talk Language: English (no interpretation). Target audience: General audience / everyone at OIST and beyond. Freely accessible to all OIST members and guests without registration (also via Zoom).

OIST is advancing science into innovation in many forms . Held as Day 2 of Startup Elevate, OIST Innovation Day invites you to meet the innovation happening across OIST — from early-stage research seeds to startups built on cutting-edge technology. Sessions are organized around Healthcare and Deep Tech, aligned with the themes of Startup Elevate. If you're looking for ways to collaborate with OIST on innovation, this is the event to attend.

A mini course on the application of machine learning in polymer chemistry

Professor Rong Tong is Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech

5 lectures over 5 weeks. October 16 to November 13 (Friday afternoons)

Prof. Takashi Ohshima, Professor. Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University. Language: English

Celebrate OIST's 15th Anniversary with a special afternoon of chamber music featuring Mitsuki Okada (violin), Itsuko Arakaki (viola), Megumi Shiroma (cello), and Yuka Oyabu (piano). This commemorative performance marks an important milestone in OIST's history, bringing together researchers, students, staff, and the wider community through the shared experience of live music.

OIST Workshop | Website | Main organizer: Tom Froese (Embodied Cognitive Science Unit) | OIST members are welcome to attend all scientific sessions (registration required).

The PCD Team will host the OIST Career Fair 2026 on November 9th and 10th, 2026. This will offer OIST students a unique opportunity to engage directly with companies across Japan and explore diverse career paths beyond academia.

Introducing differential calculus in infinite-dimensional spaces, with applications to the calculus of variations and optimal control

Dr. Denis Brazke is a Postdoctoral scholar at Analysis and Partial Differential Equations (APDE) Unit (Abdulla Unit)

Four sessions over four Tuesdays, November 10, 17, 24, and December 1st, from 1000-1200 in L4F01