Expanding the Professional and Career Development (PCD) Program at OIST — A New Chapter in PhD Talent Development, Made Possible with J-PEAKS Support

OIST’s Professional and Career Development (PCD) Program has traditionally focused on preparing PhD students for academic careers. Recently, thanks to the contributions of the J-PEAKS initiative, the program has expanded to support a broader range of career pathways, including opportunities in industry, entrepreneurship, and other professional sectors.

Notably, the enhancement of PCD 2, the advanced phase of the program, was made possible thanks to the dedicated support from J-PEAKS. This new program will supplement in-house trainings to provide students with new opportunities to interact with industry partners. PCD 2 also will help students explore career paths that align with their goals through customized learning opportunities and one-on-one career consultations.

The PCD program is a mandatory component of the five-year PhD curriculum and offered in two phases:

PCD 1 (Years 1–2, 2 credits)
Focuses on foundational skills such as research ethics, scientific writing, and computing, a student-centered group project, and 1-on-1 career consultations with dedicated career coordinators.

PCD 2 (Years 3–5, 2 credits)
Offers customized learning opportunities aligned with students’ career goals, including teaching training, corporate site visits, internships, and more. This enhancement of the PCD 2 phase was made possible through the strategic support of J-PEAKS.

Key Features and Activities
•    Leadership training (theory and practice)
•    Teaching skills and practicum opportunities
•    Science communication and team-based projects
•    Career fairs, company visits, and internships
•    Grant writing workshops, entrepreneurship seminars, and networking events

Empowering PhD Careers in Japan: A Thriving Program with Strategic Support

The PCD program is closely aligned with the OIST/NAIST “Salon for Recruiting and Developing International PhD Talent” initiative, which aims to promote the recruitment, development, and retention of international PhD graduates in Japan. This initiative, currently in its planning phase, is scheduled to launch in April 2026 and will serve as a multi-stakeholder platform involving universities, industry, and government.

OIST hosted the second Career Fair in early October that provided students with valuable networking opportunities with corporate researchers, receiving positive feedback from both participating students and industry partners. This initiative, which began last year, seeks to attract Japanese companies that are interested in hiring international PhD graduates.

Looking Ahead

OIST will continue to enhance the quality and sustainability of the PCD program through:
•    Expanding course offerings
•    Strengthening collaboration within and beyond the university
•    Adapting to changing employment trends and student needs
•    Expanding career path exploration support

Learn more about the OIST Professional and Career Development Program here.