Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology OIST

News

Graphic illustration of primitive life in the primordial soup, showing one cell absorbing another.

Complex life developed earlier than previously thought

New evidence-based evolutionary model provides access to the beginning of complex life with unprecedented accuracy.

An organic polymer (carbons represented in black) holds metal atoms in controlled environments using side chains towards realization of enzyme-like catalysis.

Atomically-tailored single atom platforms hold promise for next-generation catalysis

With carefully designed tunable active sites, unique structure of new single atom platforms enables strong gas binding in pioneering step towards more efficient industrially-relevant catalysis.

A photograph of a white oval squid hiding by a clump of algae in a research tank.

Research Update

The ingenuity of white oval squid camouflage brought to light

New study documents the full palette of camouflaging behaviors that white oval squid selects from when hiding from predators.

Composite image of a satellite photo of a typhoon and a page from da Vinci’s manuscripts containing an ink sketch of turbulent eddies.

Research Update

Paradox of rotating turbulence finally tamed with world-class ‘hurricane-in-a-lab’

Scientists have solved a long-standing contradiction in fluid dynamics, setting a new baseline for theoretical and practical research on turbulence.

A tomograph, showing a what looks like a slightly misshapen moon on top of the bottom half of an hour glass, against a black background.

Research Update

Peering inside 3D chaotic microcavities with X-ray vision

X-ray µCT enables noninvasive study of chaotic light dynamics, opening a new window for exploring 3D wave chaos, nonlinear optics, and quantum photonics.

Research Events

02 - 05 Dec 2025

Conference

ICIIBMS 2025 - 10th International Conference on Intelligent Informatics and BioMedical Sciences

04 - 05 Dec 2025

Symposium

OIST Neuroscience Symposium 2025

08 Dec 2025

Lecture

【Analysis and Partial Differential Equations Seminar】Square function estimates for curves and its applications to 1D nonlinear Schrodinger equations

08 Dec 2025

Seminar

Squeezing the last bit of quantumness out of NISQ hardware

08 Dec 2025

Seminar

[Seminar] "TORC1-containing signaling endosomes: Discovery and characterization of a cellular signaling centre" by Dr. Riko Hatakeyama

09 Dec 2025

Lecture

TSVP Talk: "Seeing the World: Building Scenes From Pixels in the Mid-Level Visual Pathway" by Ko Sakai

Research and Faculty

OIST has no academic departments. Researchers from more than 50 countries collaborate across and combine scientific disciplines to pioneer new approaches to discovery and problem-solving.

Research at OIST

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Faculty and Research Units

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Study at OIST

Apply for our 5-year PhD program in Science. We also offer short-term Research Internships. Both programs are competitive, cross-disciplinary, fully funded, and taught entirely in English by world-class international faculty.

Science Without Boundaries

A university with no departments, OIST has no artificial barriers between people working in different fields, thus encouraging innovation. With a state-of-the-art research environment, OIST attracts outstanding students and faculty around the world.

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PhD and Research Internship Program

OIST offers an individualized, cross-disciplinary PhD program that funds students up to 5 years. The Research Internship program offers financial and travel support for 2 to 6 months of experience working in an OIST research lab under OIST faculty.

Student Life

OIST offers a first-class postgraduate experience – both inside and outside the classroom. A wide range of educational, recreational, social, and cultural activities provide many opportunities to explore your passions and master something new.

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Driving Innovation Toward Impact

OIST connects world-leading research and global business to co-create solutions to society’s most pressing challenges – attracting talent to Okinawa’s emerging innovation ecosystem.

Corporate partnerships and collaborations
Technology development and licensing
Entrepreneurship and startups

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Outreach

OIST was established in and for Okinawa. Take advantage of local education, science, and culture programs or tour the campus.

Science outreach and cultural exchange activities for audiences in

elementary school
junior high school
high school
college
the general public

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SDGs

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address some of the most pressing global challenges we face today. 

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Our Contribution to Okinawa

OIST is leading educational initiatives, providing employment opportunities, building and sustaining strong partnerships, and driving research and innovation to benefit Okinawa and Japan.

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Public Events

02 - 21 Dec 2025

Culture

Crafted Traditions: Artistic Forms from Onna Village

12 Dec 2025

Prospective Students

OIST NetCafé Online Information Session in December 2025 (EN)

13 Dec 2025

Public Lecture

OIST Science Talk for Students in Itoman

16 Dec 2025