Please note: Acceptance to any research unit at OIST is at the discretion of the faculty.  For each application round only a limited number of interns will be admitted.  Not all available faculty will be able to accept an intern.  Projects listed below are subject to change.  OIST Faculty will assign work to research interns as appropriate, in discussion with each intern. 

Professor Unit Name

Starting between 

October 2025 to March 2026

Starting between 

April 2026 to September 2026

Faculty Research Interests and Project Information

Click here for more information on Research Activities at OIST.

Najwa AarajFuture-Proof Cryptography UnitTBDTBD 
Ugur AbdullaAnalysis and Partial Differential Equations UnitTBDTBDThe aim of the Analysis and Partial Differential Equations (PDE) unit is to reveal and analyze the mathematical principles reflecting natural phenomena expressed by partial differential equations. Research focuses on fundamental analysis of PDEs, regularity theory of elliptic and parabolic PDEs, with special emphasis on the regularity of finite boundary points and the point at ∞, its measure-theoretical, probabilistic and topological characterization, well-posedness of PDE problems in domains with non-smooth and non-compact boundaries, global uniqueness, analysis and classification of singularities, asymptotic laws for diffusion processes, regularity theory of nonlinear degenerate and singular elliptic and parabolic PDEs, free boundary problems, optimal control of free boundary systems with distributed parameters. Current areas of interest include Potential Theory, Harmonic Analysis, Probability Theory, Calculus of Variations and Optimal Control, Optimization, Mathematical Biosciences and Quantum Biology. Some of the current research projects in Applied Mathematics include laser ablation of biomedical tissues; preventing aerodynamic stall by in-flight ice accretion in the aerospace industry; cancer detection through Electrical Impedance Tomography and optimal control theory; identification of parameters in large-scale models of systems biology; optimal control of reactive oxygen species in quantum biology.
David ArmitageIntegrative Community Ecology Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumOur unit studies ecological and evolutionary processes at population, community, and ecosystem scales. 
Potential projects could include field, lab, or modeling studies of biotic interaction, community-ecosystem linkages, species coexistence, community assembly, landscape genetics, plant-microbe interactions, and experimental evolution.
Mahesh BandiNonlinear and Non-equilibrium Physics UnitNo availabilityNo availability 
Thomas BourguignonEvolutionary Genomics UnitTBDTBDThe topic of the project will be determined according to the research interest of the intern. Examples of research projects are: comparative genomics of termites, coevolution between termites and the intracellular parasites Wolbachia and Cardinium, coevolution between termites and their gut prokaryotes.
Thomas BuschQuantum Systems2 positions maximum2 positions maximumProjects of theoretical nature in the area of ultra cold atoms, quantum information and quantum engineering. Students should have a background in physics and during their time with us will get an overview of the current state of the area and do analytical or numerical work on a project related to a currently ongoing research project, depending on their interest.
Amin ChabchoubMarine Physics and Engineering Unit2 positions maximum1 position maximumThe Marine Physics and Engineering Unit explores the physical modeling and prediction of ocean dynamics, such as wind waves, currents, circulations, mixing, shoaling, and sediment transport. The models are validated by means of advanced numerical simulations, laboratory experiments as well as in-situ measurements. A particular focus is devoted to extreme events, involving impact and hazard risk assessment studies together with the development of disaster mitigation alternatives. Considering the availability of diverse data sets, data-driven methodologies are further explored in simulations and forecast of a variety of complex and interacting ocean processes.
Pinaki ChakrabortyFluid Mechanics Unit (Unit Video)2 positions maximum2 positions maximumExperimental Fluid Mechanics
Carlos CidApplied Cryptography UnitTBDTBDMy main interest and area of expertise is cryptography. I lead the "applied cryptography unit", which investigates the design and analysis of modern cryptographic primitives and schemes used to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data – at rest, being communicated or computed upon – both in the classical and the quantum settings. Specific areas of interest include the algebraic cryptanalysis of symmetric and asymmetric key algorithms, design and analysis of primitives for privacy-preserving cryptographic mechanisms (e.g. secure computation schemes), as well as the design and analysis of quantum-safe cryptographic constructions. Another area of interest is cyber-economics: the intersection between cyber security / cryptography and economics. 
Keshav DaniFemtosecond Spectroscopy UnitTBDTBDProjects available in two-dimensional materials and energy materials using techniques in ultrafast spectroscopy, photoemission spectroscopy and computational data analysis (e.g. using Matlab). Students with a prior background in these fields will be competitive.
Erik De SchutterComputational Neuroscience Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumWe use computational, data-driven methods to study how neurons and microcircuits in the brain operate. We are interested in the interaction between fundamental properties like morphology or excitability and neural functions like information processing or learning. Most of our models are about the cerebellum or hippocampus because they have been studied extensively, allowing for detailed modeling at many different levels of complexity. More recently our focus shifted to nanoscale modeling of neurons, astrocytes and synapses.
Ulf DieckmannComplexity Science and Evolution Unit3 positions maximum3 positions maximum

We welcome interns enthusiastic about getting to know research in complexity science and evolution, including links with theoretical physics, applied mathematics, computer science, ecology, socio-economics, and game theory. Projects can be co-designed according to mutual interests in the following research areas and beyond:

  1. Social dilemmas and governance of common goods
  2. Biodiversity dynamics and speciation
  3. Sustainable fisheries management and fishing-induced evolution
  4. Systemic risk and network dynamics
  5. Evolutionary community ecology and eco-evolutionary vegetation dynamics
  6. Adaptive dynamics theory and models
  7. Simplifying spatial complexity
  8. Disease ecology and evolution

The standard duration of research internships in our unit is six months.

Kenji DoyaNeural Computation Unit   (Unit Video)1 position maximum1 position maximumProjects in computational neuroscience and brain-inspired artificial intelligence.
Evan EconomoBiodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit  (Unit Video)TBDTBDProjects are related to evolution, ecology, biodiversity:  population genetics, morphological evolution, biogeography, 3D imaging and modeling, community ecology of ants.
Artur EkertQuantum Information Security UnitNo availabilityNo availability 
David ElkoussNetworked Quantum Devices UnitTBDTBDLooking for enthusiastic students from computer science, mathematics, and physics. The projects can be in different areas of theoretical quantum computer science such as quantum cryptography, quantum error correction, or quantum information theory. Projects will be part of our larger research agenda and can be part of collaborations with experimental groups.
Amedeo Roberto EspositoInformation Theory, Probability, and Statistics UnitTBDTBD 
Yejun FengElectronic and Quantum Magnetism Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumOne intern for quantum magnet development (growth), and one along the direction of microwave devices.
Eliot FriedMathematics, Mechanics and Materials Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumTheory, simulation, and simple experiments focused on physical and biological processes with interesting geometrical or topological features, including the formation of holes during the growth of the "Swiss cheese plant" (genus monstera), the water driven erosion of stone, the formation of ridges and cracks on the bark of growing trees, and the healing of punctured soap films.
Tom FroeseEmbodied Cognitive Science Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumWe’re looking for people who get excited about cutting-edge cognitive science! If your background is in neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, biomedical engineering, or a related field, and you wish to work in a team to broaden your scientific horizons, the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit is the right place for you. We need passionate people with strong analytic and programming skills in MATLAB, Python and/or any languages used for data processing and statistical modeling. Having experience with EEG, especially in the context of social interaction, is ideal for the human subjects research we do. Being familiar with embodied cognition and related theoretical frameworks is optimal.
Tomoki FukaiNeural Coding and Brain Computing Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximum
  1. computational neuroscience models of cognitive function.
  2. mathematical/biological mechanisms of learning.
  3. analysis of neural activity data for exploring neural code.
Izumi FukunagaSensory and Behavioral Neuroscience UnitTBDTBD 
Gustavo GioiaContinuum Physics UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityMechanics of solids and fluids.
Yukiko GodaSynapse Biology UnitNo availability1 position maximum

Projects are available to study;

  1. The organization and signaling of astrocytes that shape synaptic circuit function.
  2. Mechanisms that implement synapse homeostasis.
Igor GoryaninBiological Systems UnitTBDTBD

We are interested in students who would like to do AI, GLLM, bioinformatics metagenomic, metabolic data analysis.

Shinobu HikamiMathematical and Theoretical Physics UnitTBDTBDRandom matrix theory, conformal bootstrap method, modular form and knot polynomials.
Philipp HöhnQubits and Spacetime UnitTBDTBD

Quantum reference frames, observables in gauge theory and gravity, subsystems in gauge theory and gravity, spacetime thermodynamics, algebras and subregions, entropies in gravity, relational physics, quantum error correction, reconstructions of quantum theory.

Filip HusnikEvolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumProjects related to genomics and evolutionary cell biology of diverse symbioses (in deep sea protists, insects, corals, etc.) are available depending on interests of the intern. Please see our unit website for details [https://groups.oist.jp/ecbsu/members]
Ryota KabeOrganic Optoelectronics UnitTBDTBDSynthesize and evaluate novel materials necessary for charge separation and emission.
Background in photophysical characterization of organic materials, photochemistry, organic synthesis, organic semiconductor devices, and computational chemistry is preferred.
Julia KhusnutdinovaCoordination Chemistry and Catalysis Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumOrganometallic chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, stimuli-responsive polymers containing coordination compounds.
Hiroaki KitanoIntegrated Open Systems UnitTBDTBDMy unit will focus on general areas of AI for Scientific Discovery, Aging, and Microbiome.
Tomomi KiyomitsuCell Division Dynamics UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityPlease see our unit website (https://www.oist.jp/research/research-units/cddu) for details.
Fyodor KondrashovEvolutionary and Synthetic Biology Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumAll students are encouraged to design and create their own project or choose among many in the lab. We are interested in the study of fitness landscapes, marine, fungal and avian genomics, population genetics, conservation biology, bioinformatics and synthetic biology.
Keiko KonoMembranology UnitNo availability1 position maximumSee unit website for details.
Denis KonstantinovQuantum Dynamics UnitTBDTBD

1. Quantum state detection in electron-on-helium system for qubit implementation
2. Quantum CCD based on microchannel devices with electrons on superfluid helium

Bernd KuhnOptical Neuroimaging1 position maximum1 position maximumThe Kuhn Unit focuses on imaging neuronal activity in behaving mice. Intern projects involve training in animal surgery, in vivo two-photon imaging, and/or data analysis dependent on the interest and background of the applicant. Applicants who might want to join the OIST Graduate Program in the field of Neuroscience are specifically encouraged to apply.
Akihiro KusumiMembrane Cooperativity1 position maximum1 position maximumSee unit website for details.
Vincent LaudetMarine Eco-Evo-Devo UnitNo availability1 position maximum 
Paola LaurinoProtein Engineering and Evolution Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumDifferent projects on enzymes evolution and design, e.g. protein engineering for biocatalysis or reconstruction of ancient folds. Requires some experience in organic chemistry or molecular biology or biochemistry.
Qing LiuGeometric Partial Differential Equations UnitTBDTBDWe adopt the viscosity solution theory and methods in geometric analysis to study nonlinear partial differential equations such as surface evolution equations, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, p-Laplace equations for applications in optimal control, game theory, image processing and so on. We also have research projects on differential equations in general metric spaces in connection with applications in optimal transport and data science.
Christine Luscombepi-Conjugated Polymers UnitTBDTBDProjects will be in the general area of semiconducting polymer synthesis and their applications. Please refer to unit website (https://groups.oist.jp/picpu) for more details.
Nicholas LuscombeGenomics and Regulatory Systems Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumSee unit website for details.
Ichiro MasaiDevelopmental Neurobiology1 position maximum1 position maximum

Our unit have investigated molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate cell differentiation and organogenesis during development, using zebrafish as an animal model. Four research projects below are ongoing.

  1. Mechanisms that regulate retinal neural circuit formation
  2. Mechanisms that regulate photoreceptor degeneration and regeneration
  3. Mechanisms that regulate lens fiber differentiation
  4. Mechanisms that regulate social behavior in zebrafish
Franz MeitingerCell Proliferation and Gene Editing UnitNo availabilityNo availability

The Cell Proliferation and Gene Editing Unit aims to understand molecular mechanisms of cell division and mitotic quality control in normal and cancer cells to determine tumor-suppressive mechanisms and cancer-specific vulnerabilities that can be exploited in chemotherapeutic approaches (https://groups.oist.jp/cellpro).
Current Projects:

  1. Investigating the consequences of mitotic memory on cancer cell proliferation.
  2. Pan-cancer studies to identify cancer-specific vulnerabilities using genetic screens.
Jonathan MillerPhysics and BiologyNo availabilityNo availabilityMachine learning: Squid camouflage and genomics.
Satoshi MitaraiMarine Biophysics1 position maximum1 position maximumThe Marine Biophysics Unit (MBU) investigates biophysical coupling in the ocean at varying spatial scales, from micrometers for microbes to thousands of kilometers for biogeographic events, by incorporating physical, mathematical, and biological approaches. The MBU supports students with a variety of backgrounds; however, fluid dynamics and physical oceanography are fundamental to all of the Unit’s research. In particular, MBU welcomes students who are interested in employing physical and mathematical approaches to understand marine ecological systems.
Hiroko MiyaharaSolar-Terrestrial Environment and Climate Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumThe focus of the Solar-Terrestrial Environment and Climate Unit is twofold: (1) investigating the influence of solar activity on climate and meteorological phenomena across various timescales and the underlying mechanisms, and (2) understanding the variability of solar activity and the processes behind such variations. We analyze past solar activity using geochemical methods, such as measuring cosmic-ray-induced isotopes in tree rings, sediments, and ice cores. These analyses enable the detection of decadal and longer periodic variations, as well as past extreme solar flares. The reconstruction of past solar activity provides a basis not only for solving the solar dynamo problem but also for analyzing the Sun-Climate connection in the past. By combining insights gained from proxy-based records with analyses of various modern datasets, including satellite-based data, as well as numerical modeling, we aim to uncover the mechanisms behind the connection.
William John MunroQuantum Engineering & Design2 positions maximum2 positions maximum

Our unit focus covers 3 broad overlapping theoretical themes:

  • The theoretical design of quantum network technologies for a future quantum internet
  • The development of hybrid quantum systems and their applications
  • Quantum engineering

For interns we are willing to considered projects associated with the first two themes. In particular

  • Exploration of quantum networking algorithms
  • Exploration of hybrid quantum systems associated ensembles of atoms coupled to resonators and the potential properties than can be designed
  • Applications of NISQ processors
Gene MyersAlgorithms for Eco And Evo Genomics UnitTBDTBD 
Naomi NakayamaBiological Design Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumThe Biological Design Unit explores the feedback between the biological development and resulting organismal forms and functions. We employ and integrate a range of theories and methods from biology with ones with physcis and engineering, in particular the areas of complex systems, solid and fulid mechanics, material sciences, and synthetic biology. Available projects will change depending on the time of the inquiry, so please contact us if you are interested.
Akimitsu NaritaOrganic and Carbon Nanomaterials Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumPlease see our unit website.
Yasha NeimanQuantum Gravity TBDTBDSee unit website for details of the group’s research.
Kae NemotoQuantum Information Science and Technology UnitTBDTBD

Projects are available in the following fields:

  1. Quantum computation (applications and hardware design)
  2. Quantum devices
  3. Quantum communications
  4. Quantum complex systems
Síle Nic ChormaicLight-Matter Interactions For Quantum Technologies Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumExperimental work (with some simulations) in cold atoms, Rydberg atoms, laser cooling, atomic spectroscopy, optical nanofiber mode propagation, optical trapping of submicron particles, nonlinear optics in whispering gallery resonators.   The work is usually mainly experimental, and preference given to students who can commit to longer internships (more than 3 months). 
Yoshinori OkadaQuantum Materials ScienceTBDTBDEpitaxial thin film growth of quantum materials.
Gerald Pao ChanBiological Nonlinear Dynamics Data Science UnitTBDTBDResearch internships are available using the framework of empirical dynamic modeling (EDM), which is a suite of methods for the application of Takens theorem for time series analysis. The lab generally works on complex systems and uses manifold learning based data science where we generate and analyze our own as well as other people's data. Internships are available but not necessarily limited to the following areas: Computational neuroscience, Systems biology, stem cell biology, climate change/Physical/biological oceanography, ecology, and computational methods development/applied mathematics. Proficiency in Python, R or C++ is required as well as a solid foundation in linear algebra. In addition previous coursework or experience with nonlinear dynamics is highly beneficial. Experimental biologists who can generate their own data for downstream mathematical data analysis are also welcome. Backgrounds of interns are typically in computer science, applied or pure math, computational neuroscience, systems biology, electrical engineering, experimental molecular biology and/or neuroscience and ecology.
Svante PääboHuman Evolutionary Genomics UnitTBDTBD 
Simone PigolottiBiological Complexity Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumOur main research activity is in theoretical and computational modeling of biophysical systems, ranging from stochastic molecular kinetics to population dynamics. Projects in non-equilibrium statistical physics and stochastic thermodynamics are also available. Candidates with background in these areas and interested in medium to long stays (i.e. more than three months) will be given preference.
Timothy RavasiMarine Climate Change UnitNo availability1 position maximumEffect of Climate Change on Coral Reef fish communities.
Sam ReiterComputational Neuroethology Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumCephalopod neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and behavior
Daniel RokhsarMolecular Genetics UnitTBDTBDMy Unit is currently working on diverse projects related to the evolution of cephalopod and other genomes, neuronal cell types in cephalopods, and RNA editing in these species. We also have a long-standing interest in the diversity of Ryukyuan and other citrus species.
Marco Edoardo RostiComplex Fluids and Flows Unit1 position maximum2 positions maximumNumerical simulations of laminar and turbulent complex flows.
Lauren SallanMarine Macroevolution UnitTBDTBDThe Macroevolution Unit investigates how biodiversity evolved using data from living and fossil animals (particularly fishes), and approaches from fields such as phylogenetics, biomechanics, comparative anatomy, community ecology, and large-scale data analysis. Potential project topics include, but are not limited to, the origins and ecology of the Okinawan and Indo-Pacific fish faunas, the effects of mass extinction and global environmental change on marine ecosystems, the diversification of fishes and early vertebrate groups, the origins of key ecological traits, species interactions and coevolution, fossil description and phylogenetic placement, and the evolution of fish functional morphology. Projects will be assigned based on intern interest.
Noriyuki SatohMarine Genomics UnitTBDTBD 
Hidetoshi SazePlant Epigenetics UnitTBDTBDProjects in epigenome analysis of plant genomes.
Nic ShannonTheory of Quantum Matter Unit1 position  maximum1 position  maximumThe Theory of Quantum Matter Unit carries out curiosity-driven research in the broad area of Quantum Materials and Statistical Physics.     The Unit employs a wide range of numerical and analytic techniques, and collaborates widely, both internationally, and within Japan.    Topics of current interest include Quantum Spin Liquids and novel phases of matter; applications of techniques from quantum information to quantum many body systems; development of algorithms for NISQ quantum computers; application of machine learning to problems in statistical physics.
Amy ShenMicro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit  (Unit Video)1 position maximum1 position maximum
  1. Microfluidic biosensing with smart materials
    • Objective: Develop and optimize molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for fluorescence-based detection of specific proteins.
    • Skills Developed: Material synthesis, microfabrication, spectroscopy, and bioassay development.
    • Tools: UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrometers, and polymer synthesis techniques
  2. Polymer Rheology and Elastocapillarity
    • Objective: Investigate the effects of molecular weight distribution on the elastocapillary thinning behavior of polymer solutions.
    • Skills Developed: Rheological measurements, data analysis
    • Tools: Rheometers, high-speed imaging
Tsumoru ShintakeQuantum Wave Microscopy Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximum(1) EUV Lithography for iPhone chip production, two-mirror optics simulation, experimental test to making chip, design work for EUV lithography tool.
(2) Influenza and COVID1-9 study on Cryo-Electron microscopy looking into surface protein, atomic level imaging, target chemical search for infection prevention like ethanol vapor. 
(3) EM-Holographic 3D imaging on protein crystal by originally invented method at OIST. Perovskite solar cell is also target to study.
Oleg SitselMarine Structural Biology Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumAvailable projects are centered on cryo-electron microscopic and cryo-electron tomographic project pipelines related to marine organisms of interest to the unit. However, if the research intern candidate has a different project to propose that could be of interest to our unit, please feel free to contact me at oleg.sitsel@oist.jp.
Liron SpeyerRepresentation Theory and Algebraic Combinatorics UnitTBDTBDProjects in group theory/combinatorics.
Greg StephensBiological Physics Theory Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumSee https://groups.oist.jp/bptu for an overview of our members, research interests and links to publications. Our broad directions focus on theoretical work in dynamical systems, information theory, and machine learning especially aimed towards quantitative approaches to the analysis of animal behavior. Particular projects include using partial information decomposition for quantifying social interactions, collective dynamics for the colony behaviors of ants, and interpretable machine learning.
Gergely Szöllősiodel-Based Evolutionary Genomics Unit1 position maximumNo availabilityThe Model-Based Evolutionary Genomics Unit works at the interface of computational and evolutionary biology. Currently, our two main focus areas are:
i) reconstructing the Tree of Life, including the history of early life forms by continuing to develop and apply state-of-art probabilistic models of molecular evolution and using machine learning to model co-evolutionary dependencies across biological scales to reconstruct ancient phenotypes and environments;
ii) understanding somatic evolution in hierarchically organised tissues and across the Tree of Life, both from a theoretical standpoint (e.g., To what extent has tissue organisation evolved to minimise somatic evolution humans? Why do both plants and animals have stem cells?) and from a more data orientated perspective (e.g., What can emerging data on genetic variation in healthy tissues tell us about tissue organisation, the emergence of tumours and ageing?).
 
Hiroki TakahashiExperimental Quantum Information Physics UnitTBDTBD

Experimental work concerning ion trapping and/or laser physics, or spins in diamonds. Potential research projects are,

  1. Design, fabrication, and testing of a novel ion trap
  2. Integration of a micro optical resonator in an ion trap
  3. Ultra-narrow linewidth laser and its application to spectroscopy
  4. Coupling a spin in diamond to an optical cavity
Fujie TanakaChemistry and Chemical Bioengineering Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumProjects in synthetic organic chemistry related to the development of chemical transformation methods, the development of organocatalysts, and the synthesis of functionalized molecules.
Kazumasa TanakaMemory Research Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumThe Memory Research Unit aims to understand how memories are stored and used in the mammalian brain. Towards this goal, we combine genetic interventions, including optogenetic manipulation of neuronal activity, and electrophysiology/calcium imaging in freely moving mice. Successful applicants will learn one or more of these approaches and conduct a small research project. See unit website for details.
Jun TaniCognitive Neurorobotics UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityNeurorobotics, free energy principle, developmental psychology, consciousness, psychiatric disorder
Chikae TatsumiMicrobial and Ecosystem Ecology Unit2 positions maximum3 positions maximum 
Marco TerenzioMolecular Neuroscience Unit1 position maximum1 position maximum 
Emile TouberShocks, Solitons and Turbulence UnitTBDTBDSee unit website
Reiko ToriumiGravity, Quantum Geometry and Field Theory Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumThe available potential projects are related to random geometry (e.g., random tensors). The tools useful may be topology, combinatorics, quantum/statistical field theories, critical phenomena, renormalisation group (perturbative and non-perturbative).
Gail TrippHuman Developmental Neurobiology UnitTBDTBDOur unit conducts research on the nature and causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We are currently conducting studies on: reinforcement sensitivity (reward and punishment), including emotional reactivity, in children with and without ADHD; structural and pragmatic language skills in ADHD; social functioning in children with ADHD; and a range of parenting programs to manage ADHD. The lab also has the ability to undertake research on neuropsychological functioning in children with and without ADHD.
Jason TwamleyQuantum Machines UnitTBDTBDIn the Quantum Machines Unit we focus on developing devices that use quantum mechanics which have the potential to be useful. Such machines include developing precision sensors, through to protocols and devices to help quantum information processing e.g. quantum memories etc. Such machines can involve many different physical phenomena including optomechanics e.g. the interaction of light and moving mechanical objects, magneto-mechanics - the control of mechanical system by magnetic forces, and quantum version of these. The unit does research on all of these topics both theory and experiment and this can involve developing interesting control and analysis strategies which can sometimes require sophisticated levels of control e.g. feedback control, understanding Brownian motion in gases for odd shaped objects - both in theory and experiment.
Marylka Yoe UusisaariNeuronal Rhythms in Movement UnitTBDTBDProjects involving analysis and 3D reconstruction of various image data (EM, CT and confocal imaging, also calcium imaging recordings), computational analysis and visualization of animal movement based on marker-based 3D motion capture experiments, possibly behavioral,  immunohistological or imaging experiments depending on skills and motivation. Generally, we prefer to have the students stay at least 3 months if they wish to learn new skills.
Hiroshi WatanabeEvolutionary Neurobiology UnitTBDTBD 
Jeff WickensNeurobiology Research Unit  TBDTBD
  1. Focused ultrasound effects on the brain.
  2. Mouse behavior in virtual reality.
Matthias WolfMolecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy UnitTBDTBDCryo-electron microscopy
Yamada MakotoMachine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) UnitTBDTBD

Projects in machine learning and data science. Interns will work on developing machine learning algorithms and applying them to real-world problems. After the internship period, we aim to submit the intern work to top machine learning venues. The following papers are written by recent interns:

  1. Haoyu Han, Xiaorui Liu, Li Ma, MohamadAli Torkamani, Hui Liu, Jiliang Tang, & Makoto Yamada. Structural Fairness-aware Active Learning for Graph Neural Networks. In ICLR, 2024.
  2. Cléa Laouar, Yuki Takezawa, & Makoto Yamada. Large-scale similarity search with Optimal Transport. In EMNLP, 2023.
  3. GraphLIME: Local Interpretable Model Explanations for Graph Neural Networks, TKDE 2022.
  4. Feature Robust Optimal Transport for High-dimensional Data, ECML 2022.
  5. Post-selection inference with HSIC-Lasso, ICML 2021.
Tadashi YamamotoCell Signalling Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumCancer biology and RNA biology
Yoko Yazaki-SugiyamaNeuronal Mechanisms for the Critical Period UnitTBDTBDWe are trying to understand how neuronal circuits are shaped and modified to have specific functions over development by using bird song learning models. We have been using, electrophysiology, anatomy, optogenetics and viral tools as our major gears. Besides, we are developing more genetical tools such as in situ and RNAseq.
For internship program, we can provide;
- Behavioral test/analysis on bird song learning
- Immunohistochemical / in situ hybridyzation analysis on development neuromodulator system
- Electrophysiological analysis on auditory information processing
Yohei YokobayashiNucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumExperimental projects on functional nucleic acids that function in cells (mammalian, bacterial), or purely chemical systems (test tubes, artificial cells). Requires some experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, or synthetic chemistry experiments.
Yutaka YoshidaNeural Circuit UnitTBDTBDWe study neural circuits to control motor behaviors using a variety of techniques such as molecular biology, mouse genetics, optogenetics, behavioral assays, Ca imaging, electrophysiology, and others.
Shu ZhangCollective Dynamics and Quantum Transport Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumThe unit of Collective Dynamics and Quantum Transport reveals dynamical and transport phenomena in various forms of quantum matter, from quantum and topological materials to synthetic quantum matter and hybrid quantum platforms, to explore emergent many-body dynamics and propose their spintronic, electronic, and quantum-information functionalities. We employ a combination of analytical and numerical theories. Current research focus mainly involves thermal and spin transport in quantum magnets and out-of-equilibrium spin dynamics relevant to pump-probe experiments. We are also exploring the interdisciplinary field of condensed matter physics and quantum optics, in particular between spintronics and photonics, to uncover intriguing dissipative dynamical behaviors.
Xiaodan ZhouAnalysis on Metric Spaces UnitNo availability1 position maximumProjects related to geometric function theory and equations in metric measure spaces