Students can do research in our laboratory in the following ways :

１. As a graduate student of the Molecular Science Course at SOKENDAI
２. As a researcher with affiliation to other universities/institutes
　　(See IMS “Special Inter-University Researcher” page) 
３. As an intern student (See “Internship” page) 

This page explains “1. As a graduate student of the Molecular Science Course at SOKENDAI”.

SOKENDAI

The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) was established in 1988, in collaboration and cooperation with other national research institutes throughout Japan, with the mission to “fostering researchers with a broad perspective who possess world-leading, high-level research qualities in basic academic fields. It is the first graduate university in Japan. The Institute for Molecular Science provides education for graduate students in the Molecular Science course. The Institute also plays an important role as a place where graduate students from other universities can conduct research activities in an environment of excellence by accepting graduate students from other universities as special joint-use researchers.

What is the “Five-year doctoral program”?

Students who wish to enter our laboratory will enroll in the doctoral program at SOKENDAI and take courses offered by professors at the Institute for Molecular Science and other research institutions, with the main focus on conducting research at the Institute for Molecular Science. The five-year program provides an excellent environment for students to engage in research from a long-term perspective and to participate in world-class research activities from the first year.
The doctoral program at Sokendai is an integrated five-year program, but it is also possible to transfer after obtaining a master’s degree from another university. Some of our students have also obtained a master’s degree in their second year and have gone on to other universities or have been employed by companies.

Admission Schedule for a five-year doctor course program
*The application period for this year has ended. Please use the following as a guide for next year’s schedule.

Graduate University Financial Supports

Research Assistant Support (RA)

Under this system established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), graduate students are employed as research assistants for faculty members and are paid a salary.　In the Molecular Science Course, graduate students of all years are employed as RAs (Research Assistants). 100% of RAs have been hired!

IMS SRA Support

While RA is available to all Sokendai students, IMS has a system called SRA, which is available only to students in the Molecular Science course. This is a special system whereby students in Molecular Science Course (Department of Structural Molecular Science and Functional Molecular Science) who have particularly outstanding research skills and the desire to become researchers in the future are hired as SRAs and paid a special hourly stipend.　And we are pleased to announce an increase in the SRA salary starting in the academic year 2024!

【SRA Supports for Five-Year Doctoral Course Students】

1. No. of Accepted Students: A few 
2. Eligibility : Applicants who take the entrance examination for the doctoral program (5-year course). However, Japanese Government Scholarship recipients, or those who receive an equivalent scholarships are not eligible. 
3. Selection Method: Based on the evaluation results of the entrance examination.
4. The Term of the Support: Within one year from the month of entrance or the month following the month of entrance. However, the adoption period shall be extended based on the review of research activities every year.
   In this case, the upper limit of the total adoption period is two years from the month of entrance. ^*
5. Annual amount of payment: approximately 2 million yen/year.

* If a recipient takes a leave of absence, the term of absence is not included in the term of the support.

* If a recipient is selected as a government-financed foreign student, or a recipient of similar scholarships, the SRA support shall be terminated.

【SRA Supports for Five-Year Doctoral Course Students】

1. No. of Accepted Students: A few 
2. Eligibility : Applicants who take the entrance examination for the doctoral program (5-year course). However, Japanese Government Scholarship recipients, or those who receive an equivalent scholarships are not eligible.
3. Selection Method: Based on the evaluation results of the entrance examination.
4. The Term of the Support: Within one year from the month of entrance or the month following the month of entrance. However, the adoption period shall be extended based on the review of research activities every year. In this case, the upper limit of the total adoption period is two years from the month of entrance. *
5. Annual amount of payment: approximately 2.6 million yen/year.

* If a recipient takes a leave of absence, the term of absence is not included in the term of the support.

* If a recipient is selected as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship recipient, a SOKENDAI Special Researcher (Pioneering Research Type), a government-financed foreign student, or a recipient of similar scholarships, the SRA support shall be terminated.