Many of you, even those who live in Japan, probably have never heard of NINS (which stands for National Institutes of National Sciences). However, it is one of the very few institutions that funds thier own PhD students in Japan. NINS is comprised of national research institutions such as National Obervatory, National Institute for Fusion Science, etc. And of those institutions I will specifically cover three that are located in Okazaki: NIBB, NIPS, and IMS in this article. この記事の日本語版はこちらです。
- Preface
- National Institutes for Natural Sciences are for everyone!
- So what's really going on at NINS in Okazaki?
- World-Class Research Environment
- Those who are interested should intern at NINS
- Neurohog says...
Preface
I have interned at NINS in the past and I also strive to convey accurate information but the information in this article may not be up to date. I strongly suggest not to base your actions solely on this article and contact the administration before you proceed. Should you find any errorenous contents please let me know through comments.
National Institutes for Natural Sciences are for everyone!
NINS was founded for a use in research collaboration
NINS was founded with a goal of providing access to expensive equipments to all universities in Japan and beyond. Because of obvious reasons, some research equipments such as supercomputers and fMRIs are expensive and it is difficult for individual universities to own them on their own. And since it's a waste of resource when you only put the equipments, they made pre-existed national institutes into Inter-University Research Institute Corporation. *1 Much like a core-facility but for inter-university instead of intra-university.
Founding of participating institutes dates back to 1975 and it also had the mission of resolving closed, unsociable nature of Japanese academia. They have been changing names quite frequently and it was only 2004 that they adopted NINS as a name. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to switch names here and there but NINS is by far the coolest name so kudos.
They accept PhD students too
All Inter-University Research Institute Corporation accepts graduate students through Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies). Sokendai is a graduate school only university and therefor do not have any undergrads, and they primarily only have 5-year PhD program. *2 As NINS is full of expensive equipments the research environment is top-notch and most, if not all, graduate students at NINS are employed as research assisstants by each institution. The pay depends on each institution and each case but it's generally around $10,000/year, which isn't a fantastic amount but the employment is unconditional *3 without TA duties and you can apply for other scholarship and fellowships.
So what's really going on at NINS in Okazaki?
Okazaki Campus of National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Located in Okazaki, Aichi-Prefecture are the National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, and Institute for Molecular Sciences which are all part of NINS. Higashi-Okazaki is the nearest train station and it takes about 5 mins walk from the Meidaiji-area. And if you walk extra 10 mins you'll find Yamate-area as well as lodging facilities. For an access to Tokyo, you will need to take bullet trains which will take several hours.*4
National Institute for Basic Biology specializes in Cellular, Molecular Biology
I interned at National Institute for Basic Biology, aka NIBB, which conducts life science research on Cellular and Molecular level. Sub-fields include: Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Neurobiology, etc. Some labs employ computational/infomatics approaches for theoretical works as well. NIBB is also known for its unique researches on insects and planaria.
NIBB was home to a Nobel laureate Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi, who received Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in autophagy. Some of his work which led to Nobel were actually done at NIBB.
National Institute for Physiological Sciences specializes in Physiology
You guessed it, NIPS specializes in Physiological Sciences such as brain, skin, hormone, etc. Of those physiological sciences, NIPS focuses most in neuroscience. More than half of its research divisions are neuroscience laboratories and even the official website states its focus to be neurosciecne.
Institute for Molecular Sciences specializes in single molecule level research
As you can see in the campus map above, IMS (in pink) is the largest institute of three and also has the largest budget. IMS studies molecules from variety of persupectives using high-power laser, supercomputer, photon-accelerator, etc. And with those gigantic equipments IMS also has highest research activity of the three institution at Okazaki according to nature index. *5
World-Class Research Environment
Yamate Area is especially new and clean
As I've mentioned above, NINS is meant to be a inter-university core-facility and thus their research environment is that of top-notch institution. I have seen and visited multiple R1 universities in US and other top universites in Japan such as University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, and NINS easily equals those institutions in research environment. Especially Yamate-area, where I did my intern, is newly built and is very clean inside. *6
While IMS has a lot of giant equipments, NIBB and NIPS also has many shared equipments and core-facilities. And of course, you do not have to be affiliated to the institution that has the core-facility to use them. e.g.) NIBB researcher can use IMS's supercomputer. *7
Library, Convenience store, Rest Area are all there
Both Myodaiji-area and Yamate-area has convenience store *8 and for Yamate-area, which doesn't have cafeteria, they sell "bentos". *9 Library is also located at Myodaiji-area. So it is safe to say NINS has pretty much everything a research institution ought to have. If they brush up their rest area a little bit more, it'll look more like US research institution.
But wait, there's more
NINS has its own lodging facility, which researchers can stay for a discounted price. Rooms range from 1-person single to family room and even rooms for long-term stays for several months. Right next to the lodging facility is the conference center which can host international conferences. And last but not least, NINS has tennis courts, the single most important factor in deciding an affiliation. *10 Apparently there are other sports clubs that NINS people can join but you'll have to figure this out, I have no idea.
Those who are interested should intern at NINS
Institutions at NINS accepts trial students and intern students. The difference is that the former is unpaid while the letter covers travel expences and accomodation cost, but are competitive. Programs are targeted at juniors in undergrad through masters students. For trial students program, since it is unpaid, there's great flexibility in duration and curriculum. However I strongly encourage those considering NINS from abroad to apply for the respective institute's internship program. First step is make a contact with PI of a lab that you're interested in. NINS is always looking for new students so chances are, you will be welcomed. Application typically opens in April and internship can be any time between July-December. *11
It may be difficult to get by without proficiency in Japanese *12 but you'll really need to spend some time there to figure that out and internship is the perfect way.
Neurohog says...
I have written an article on financial aspects of doing a PhD in Japan, so should you start thinking about doing one in NINS it might be worth reading.
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Eichi Toyoizumi (@eichi_toyoizumi) | Twitter
*1:That's my understanding but I could be wrong, but who really cares about how they are formed...
*2:I plan to cover how Sokendai really works in another article
*3:given that you're accepted to university
*4:Bullet trains are great, unless it's packed.
*5:Not the best indicator but what else do we have
*6:Three institutions are mixed and coexist in Yamate Area.
*7:Please check with the authorities for the details.
*8:They are not exactly a convenience store but a co-op.
*9:Lunch boxes
*10:jk
*11:Please refer to the each institution's website for details as they may change the schedule
*12:or the general love for Japan will do I guess
