Research Life

Research Environment

Experience cutting-edge research activities

NIMS has been leading the cutting-edge research in a variety of materials science and engineering field. The advanced experimental facilities and technologies, as well as the intellectual infrastructure, are open for the students in the program.

Participate events held at NIMS

NIMS often holds conferences, symposiums and workshops. The program students are welcome to attend the opportunities, even participating as speakers as well. In the NIMS Joint Graduate School Program is arranged for the program students to discuss the research progress with other researchers and students at NIMS. This enables the students to develop presentation skills in English as well as to make sure that their research is on the right track towards obtaining a degree.

Get connected to an interdisciplinary research netwok

NIMS has active interaction with universities, private firms, and research institutes, which has created numerous successful research collaborations. Some program students takes part in the related projects. For the research and training opportunities, many students from universities in and out of Japan, through the programs offered by NIMS, such as NIMS Joint Graduate School Program or NIMS Internship. The experience with motivated fellow students from the different background would be precious in the future.

NIMS Joint Graduate School ProgramFrom Admission to Graduation

The campus of the NIMS Joint Graduate School Program is at NIMS.The basic program process from admission to graduation will be as follows

Activities at NIMS

The base for your research activity is NIMS, joining the NIMS research group. Whilst your study towards getting a degree, you will have opportunities to participate in the latest research project ongoing at NIMS.

Guidance and lectures from your university professors

As well as the NIMS Joint Graduate Program professors, the university professors will give you guidance concerning your course completion. You may sometimes go to the university in order to take lectures as well as to use research facilities.

Presenting research and collaborative work in and out of Japan

You can brush up your skills, by participating research collaboration with other institutions. Conducting your research abroad will also be your option. Many students have expanded their activities abroad while in the NIMS program.

Student Seminar

As one of the NIMS Joint Graduate School curriculum, Student Seminar, is held every year to discuss the student’s research progress with other researchers and students at NIMS. This enables the students to develop presentation skills in English as well as to make sure that their research is on the right track towards obtaining a degree.

Graduation

The final step before the program completion is to defend your dissertation at the university. Upon the success, your degree will be awarded by the university. The graduates have various paths following graduation at research institutes, universities and private companies.

After Graduation

Guidance obtained from both the university and NIMS, research experiences in NIMS research group, many discussions and presentations that you have, and interactions with people in a diversity of backgrounds. All that experience that you had at the NIMS Joint Graduate Program will help you to lead the next challenge. In the process, some alumni continue working at NIMS or has research projects with NIMS.

Student Voices

Aya Saruwatari

Aya Saruwatari

From:Japan

Working on PhD research at Hokkaido University - NIMS Joint Graduate School Program, also selected as a JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists.

I applied to the NIMS graduate program PhD course after I got a Master’s degree at a university and worked at a company for three years. I heard about this program when I consulted with my current supervisor about a PhD course. At that time, I also heard that NIMS is a highly influential institution in the field of materials science with the No. 1 highly cited papers in Japan, and I wanted to do research among people with outstanding research capabilities. In addition, I was attracted to his research and decided to apply for this program.

Now, I have frequent opportunities to have discussions with my professor and researchers with a wealth of research experience because we are a small number of students, I feel that my knowledge has expanded and my understanding has deepened through discussions. Furthermore, I could learn how researchers conduct their research that produce novel materials. Considering the excellent facilities, many international students, and high research motivation of students, I recommend NIMS graduate program as one of your options!

Nicholaus Kevin Tanjaya

Nicholaus Kevin Tanjaya

From:Indonesia

Obtained his Master's degree in NIMS Joint Graduate School Program (Materials Science and Engineering Course, Master's program in Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba) and is now in the PhD program.

I joined the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship program because I found a supervisor with similar research interests. Additionally, NIMS is a well-known research institute and offers a degree through affiliation with the University of Tsukuba. Through participation in this program, I gained invaluable insights and skills crucial to my growth as a researcher. Initially, I was unfamiliar with experiments and simulations. However, with the guidance of my supervisor and fruitful discussions, I honed my skills in both areas. At NIMS, there's no need to worry about expressing your ideas; just express yourself and discuss whether your idea is worth pursuing. Moreover, the program provides access to top-notch facilities and resources. Therefore, I recommend this program for those who wish to challenge themselves and elevate their research capabilities. Additionally, students receive a monthly stipend, providing a reasonable amount to live comfortably in Japan. This stipend ensures that students can fully focus on their research, allowing for a conducive and enriching research experience.

Andrea Perona

Andrea Perona

From:Spain

Working on PhD research at Hokkaido University - NIMS Joint Graduate School Program.

Two years ago, I started my PhD at the NIMS- Hokkaido University Joint Graduate School Program on materials fabrication for plasmonic applications. The possibility of doing both fundamental studies on material science and develop new applications for those materials is one of the strongest advantages of performing research in an institute like NIMS. Here, I am able to conduct a wide variety of experiments thanks to the advanced technology systems in the research group as well as because of the shared equipment and discussions with highly experienced researchers in the centre to conduct my research project. Besides, life is very comfortable in the city of Tsukuba. There is a big community of foreign people working in the institute that makes the stay much more enjoyable and I am happy to share my time inside and outside the lab with friends from many different countries, having a great experience and learning about distinct cultures.

Hussien K. Srour

Hussien K. Srour

From:Egypt

PhD student at Kyushu University - NIMS Joint Graduate School Program. He was awarded for excellence in Research Proposal, one of the key university courses aiming to enhance research planning ability.

I'm pleased to share my experiences and insights from studying and working at NIMS, where I've had the chance to dive into the fascinating field of materials science, particularly the development of polymer-based membranes. NIMS cultivates an energetic and collaborative atmosphere that promotes innovation and excellence in materials science. From day one, I've been immersed in a community of passionate researchers and scholars dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in this field. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside experts from diverse backgrounds, enriching my perspective and broadening my skills.

Moreover, the supportive environment here is unparalleled. Mentors and advisors provide invaluable guidance and mentorship despite their very busy schedules, nurturing our academic and professional growth every step of the way. Additionally, access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources empowers us to conduct cutting-edge research and confidently reach complex challenges.

Finally, for prospective students seeking to get on board on a similar journey, I encourage you to seize this opportunity to immerse yourself in a dynamic and supportive environment where your curiosity and creativity can thrive here at NIMS. I look forward to welcoming you to our research family and witnessing the remarkable contributions you'll make to the world of materials science.

Questions?

Please see our frequently asked questions about admission to the programs.
And feel free to contact the NIMS Graduate Program Group at nims-graduate