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 2024 to March 2025

Starting between 

April 2025 to September 2025

Faculty Research Interests and Project Information

Click here for more information on Research Activities at OIST.

Najuwa AarajFuture-Proof Cryptography UnitNo availabilityNo availability 
Ugur AbdullaAnalysis and Partial Differential Equations Unit3 positions maximum3 positions maximumThe 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions 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 availabilityOur group works in experimental nonlinear, non-equilibrium, and soft matter physics, broadly defined. We currently focus on four strongly overlapping themes: (1) Statistical Hydrodynamics, (2) Mechanics of Disordered Media, (3) Fluctuations in Renewable Energy, and (4) Quantitative Life Sciences. There are several projects for an interested intern in all these four themes.
Thomas BourguignonEvolutionary Genomics Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumThe 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 Systems3 positions maximum3 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.
Pinaki ChakrabortyFluid Mechanics Unit (Unit Video)2 positions maximum2 positions maximumExperimental Fluid Mechanics (Turbulent flows).
Carlos CidApplied Cryptography Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumMy 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumProjects 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
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)No availabilityNo availabilityProjects 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 Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumLooking 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.
Yejun FengElectronic and Quantum Magnetism Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumWe are in general interested in topics of materials science and condensed matter physics. Please refer to my publications for detailed scopes.
Eliot FriedMathematics, Mechanics and Materials UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityTheory, 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 maximum
  1.  swarm robotics to study the self-organization of social complexity;
  2.  human-computer interaction studies to investigate how digital technology becomes incorporated   into our behavior;
  3.  EEG hyperscanning experiments to study the neural underpinnings of social interaction;
  4.  sensory substitution studies to investigate the dynamics of perceptual learning.
Tomoki Fukai Neural Coding and Brain Computing Unit1 position maximum1 position 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 UnitNo availabilityNo availability 
Gustavo GioiaContinuum Physics UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityThe mechanics of solids and fluids.
Yukiko GodaSynapse Biology Unit1 position maximum1 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumWe are interested in students who would like to do AI, GLLM, bioinformatics metagenomic, metabolic data analysis.
Shinobu HikamiMathematical and Theoretical Physics UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityRandom matrix theory, conformal bootstrap method, modular form and knot polynomials.
Philipp HöhnQubits and Spacetime Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumQuantum 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 Unit1 position maximum1 position 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]
Hiroki IshikawaImmune Signalling UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityIdentification and analysis of key regulators of immune responses that are relevant to various diseases.
Ryota KabeOrganic Optoelectronics Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumSynthesize 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 UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityMy 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://groups.oist.jp/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 availabilityNo availabilitySee unit website for details.
Denis KonstantinovQuantum Dynamics Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximum1. 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 Unit1 position maximum1 position maximum 
Paola LaurinoProtein Engineering and Evolution Unit2 positions maximum2 positions 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumWe 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 Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumProjects 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 Unit1 position maximum1 position 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 availability1 position maximum

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 BiophysicsNo availabilityNo availabilityThe 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.
William John MunroQuantum Engineering & Design1 position maximum1 position 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 UnitNo availabilityNo availability 
Akimitsu NaritaOrganic and Carbon Nanomaterials Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumPlease see our unit website.
Yasha NeimanQuantum Gravity 1 position maximum1 position maximumSee unit website for details of the group’s research.
Kae NemotoQuantum Information Science and Technology Unit1 position maximum1 position maximum

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 Unit3 positions maximum3 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 Science2 positions maximum2 positions maximumEpitaxial thin film growth of quantum materials.
Gerald Pao ChanBiological Nonlinear Dynamics Data Science Unit3 positions maximum3 positions maximumResearch 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 UnitNo availabilityNo availability 
Simone PigolottiBiological Complexity Unit1 position maximum1 position 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.
Yabing QiEnergy Materials and Surface Sciences UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityResearch projects related to energy materials and surface sciences.
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 Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumMy 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumNumerical simulations of laminar and turbulent complex flows.
Lauren SallanMarine Macroevolution Unit3 positions  maximum3 positions  maximumThe 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 Unit1 position  maximumNo availability 
Hidetoshi SazePlant Epigenetics Unit1 position  maximum1 position  maximumProjects 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 maximumBoth 3D printing and micro/nano-fabrication have the potential to revolutionize the way we create and use structures and devices. However, they are used for different purposes and have different capabilities. 3D printing is used to create large structures and devices, while micro/nano-fabrication is used to create small, precise structures and devices. The internship project will be focused on developing micro/nanofabrication protocols to make pillar structures, and eventually integrate these structures inside a microfluidic device.
Tsumoru ShintakeQuantum Wave Microscopy Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximum(1) Electron microscope R&D looking into protein crystal, atomic level imaging

(2) Ethanol inhalation treatment R&D for COVID-19 and influenza
Oleg SitselMarine Structural Biology Unit2 positions  maximum2 positions  maximumAvailable projects are centered on cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography projects 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 Unit1 position maximumNo availabilityProjects in group theory/combinatorics.
Gergely Szöllősiodel-Based Evolutionary Genomics Unit1 position maximum2 positions maximum

The 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?).
Recent papers of ours concerning these topics include:

“A rooted phylogeny resolves early bacterial evolution” Coleman, Davin, Mahendrarajah, Szánthó, Spang, Hugenholtz*, Szöllősi*, Williams*
Science 2021
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6542/eabe0511.abstract

"Divergent genomic trajectories predate the origin of animals and fungi"
Ocaña-Pallarès, Williams, …, Bapteste, Tikhonenkov, Keeling, Szöllősi, Ruiz-Trillo
Nature 2022
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05110-4

“Trade-off between reducing mutational accumulation and increasing commitment to differentiation determines tissue organization” Demeter, Derényi, Szöllősi
Nature Communications 2022
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29004-1

Greg StephensBiological Physics Theory Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumSee https://groups.oist.jp/bptu for an overview of our current interests and publications. Available projects include theoretical work in dynamical systems and information theory, especially using operator approaches to construct slowly-varying collective states, as well as quantitative approaches to behavior including social interactions in squid and zebrafish, and the colony dynamics of honeybees.
Hiroki TakahashiExperimental Quantum Information Physics Unit3 positions maximum3 positions maximum

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 Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumNeurorobotics, free energy principle, developmental psychology, consciousness, psychiatric disorder
Marco TerenzioMolecular Neuroscience UnitNo availabilityNo availability 
Emile TouberShocks, Solitons and Turbulence UnitNo availabilityNo availabilitySee unit website
Reiko ToriumiGravity, Quantum Geometry and Field Theory Unit1 position maximumNo availabilityThe 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 Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumOur 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 Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumIn 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumProjects 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximum 
Jeff WickensNeurobiology Research Unit  No availability1 position maximum
  1. Focused ultrasound effects on the brain.
  2. Mouse behavior in virtual reality.
Matthias WolfMolecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy UnitNo availabilityNo availabilityCryo-electron microscopy
Yamada MakotoMachine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) Unit3 position maximum3 position maximum

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 Unit2 positions maximum1 position maximumCancer biology and RNA biology
Yoko Yazaki-SugiyamaNeuronal Mechanisms for the Critical Period Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumWe 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions 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 Unit2 positions maximum2 positions maximumWe 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.
Xiaodan ZhouAnalysis on Metric Spaces Unit1 position maximum1 position maximumProjects related to various notions of convexity and geometric inequalities in the Heisenberg group; 
Geometric function theory and equations in metric measure spaces