The PhD program is structured as follows:
Year 1: Research rotations in three different units, in parallel with basic and advanced courses.
Year 2: The start of research on the thesis topic, in the thesis research unit, in parallel with remaining course requirements. A qualifying examination leads to candidacy.
Years 3 to 5: Thesis research continues toward submission of a completed thesis for examination.
Degree offered: Doctor of Philosophy.
*Professional and Career Development continues throughout the program.
Program Description
PhD Program Structure
World-class Faculty
Alongside established courses we offer independent study with top faculty members who provide teaching at the most advanced levels, special topics of current interest, and participation in world-renowned OIST international workshops as part of the program.
You can also review the list of faculty members who are currently recruiting PhD students for their research units.
Individually Tailored Curriculum
The absence of departments in addition to no barriers between disciplines allow students to create an individually tailored curriculum in accordance with their scientific aspirations, prior education, and current research interests.
To unlock the full academic potential of each student, the curriculum design facilitates independent scientific thinking and learning-by-doing research, while providing top-class and individualized academic instruction with a small student- to-faculty ratio.
Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities
More than 90 cutting-edge laboratories offer research opportunities in a range of fields including physics, chemistry, mathematical and computational sciences, marine sciences, neuroscience, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, and environmental and ecological science.
Lab rotations in the first year of study, the possibility of thesis co-supervision, and an individualized curriculum allow students to explore different research fields and design a research environment that supports their academic progress in an interdisciplinary environment.
Access to State-of-the-art Research Facilities and Equipment
The Core Facilities Division at OIST is in charge of providing centralized maintenance of research facilities and equipment to ensure fair access and training for all students and researchers. The open and shared access to our cutting-edge equipment allows students to achieve notable academic results in a time-efficient manner.
Professional and Career Development Course
The professional and career development (PCD) course is a credit-bearing, graduation requirement course. The core element of the program is to equip PhD students with important transferable skill sets needed for their future career paths in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship. Students will have the chance to develop these skills through seminars, workshops, online and mini-course offerings, and group projects.
At a later part of their PhD studies, students can explore different career paths that are aligned with their career goals. A dedicated professional and career development team will provide 1-1 career consultations and provide students with opportunities for teaching training, networking with industry and science communication development training.