Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology OIST

Open Faculty Positions

Experience a new model of scientific freedom in an innovative university.

OIST is an international, interdisciplinary graduate university in Japan, operating entirely in English. We are inviting applications for tenure-track and tenured faculty positions.

Deadline of applications: October 15, 2025.

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News

Rows of pinned ants sit above detailed information cards about each specimen

Research Update

Island ant communities show signs of ‘insect apocalypse’

79% of endemic species show signs of decline, highlighting the vulnerability of island biodiversity to ecosystem changes.

Six programs from Japan to be showcased at the Science Summit UNGA80

Institutional News

Japan-led initiatives for a sustainable future

Six programs from Japan to be showcased at the Science Summit UNGA80

An underwater photograph of two SCUBA diver investigating corals in a reef with various scientific equipment. Colorful corals are seen in the foreground.

Institutional News

OIST recognized as an Organizational Member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences

As the first and only AAUS Organizational Member in Japan, OIST is committed to the highest international standards for scientific diving.

Research Update

Hidden Turbulence Discovered in Polymer Fluids

New research shows that two types of turbulence coexist in everyday fluids like shampoos and ketchup, challenging long-held assumptions.

An illustration of the arrow worm Paraspadella gotoi on a background of strings of DNA.

Research Update

Charting the evolution of life through the ancient chaetognath

In a new Nature study, the genomic, epigenomic, and cell-level characteristics of the mysterious arrow worm have been tied together.

Research Events

03 Sep - 15 Oct 2025

Research

Open Faculty Positions

16 Sep 2025

Seminar

Seminar"The impasse of strain rate quantification in arbitrary and kinematically mixed flow fields"Richard Hodgkinson

16 Sep 2025

Seminar

[Seminar] MLDS Unit Seminar 2025-4 by Mr. Rémi Surat (Université Paris Cité, ENSAE Paris), Ms. Klea Ziu (MBZUAI)

17 Sep 2025

Seminar

【Analysis and Partial Differential Equations Seminar】On the Fourier transform of BV functions

17 Sep 2025

Lecture

TSVP Talk: Dancing Giants: The Cosmic Tango of Black Holes and Gravitational Waves by Béatrice Bonga

18 Sep 2025

Seminar

[Seminar] Hybrid responsive nanomaterials for biomedical and marine applications - by Prof. Luisa De Cola

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

01 - 28 Sep 2025

Culture

Nature Resonance | Urban Echoes

02 - 22 Sep 2025

Culture

BRIDGE Network Presents: HUMAN – MODEL – WORLD: A Collection of Scientific Images

03 - 21 Oct 2025

Culture

CYCLE Exhibition 2025

03 Oct 2025