To tackle critical global issues, we need extraordinary interdisciplinary collaborations. OIST breaks down traditional barriers between disciplines. We have no academic departments. Instead, our research units operate and collaborate in a multidisciplinary way, bringing a breadth of perspectives to pressing research questions, and providing a wide foundational training for future scientists. Our international and diverse community use English as a common working language.
High-trust funding enables faculty to explore ambitious, long-term research topics, on subjects that matter. Explore the latest discoveries and innovations from our researchers, published open access within the OIST Institutional Repository.
OIST has been designed to support collaboration, with centralized research support, open style laboratories, and mixed discipline faculty offices to promote communication. Professors with specialties as diverse as mathematics, ecology, engineering, and chemistry... have offices right next to each other, rather than segregated in different buildings. This enables multidisciplinary collaboration on cross-sectional challenges, such as climate change, quantum technology, and understanding the origins of life.
In addition, Open Centers foster multi- and interdisciplinary research through shared scientific visions. These centers promote open science and enhance collaboration, visibility, and exchange with researchers both within OIST and from other universities and industry partners.
To enable cutting edge research, OIST provides a wide range of professional support. From shared equipment facilitated by expert technicians, to help transforming ideas into patentable technology and startup companies, to personal professional development training, opportunities—OIST researchers are fully supported.
Through official policy and training, OIST instills in researchers and students the importance of practicing safe and responsible research, with the highest standard of research integrity.
To create a foundation for excellence in research, OIST aims to create an inclusive climate in which all members of the community can thrive. We aspire to be a model for inclusive academia and hope to contribute to best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion among scientific communities in Japan.
Learn more about OIST’s research in different specialties and contexts by exploring our range of available literature and digital resources.
