Students admitted to this program will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University. The Graduate School of Medicine offers an integrated curriculum that includes lectures and seminars by world-leading professors from a wide range of research fields, not only life sciences, but also other fields to promote interdisciplinary research to broaden perspectives and foster new fields of study. These courses are conducted in English. In addition, students will conduct their dissertation research under the supervision of any one of the principal investigators. These principal investigators are affiliated with the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), the Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), or the Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS (CAMaD) at Osaka University, and they also hold positions at the Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University.
Upon completion of the required coursework at the graduate school and their dissertation research, a doctoral degree will be awarded.
Students in this program are exempt from examination, entrance, and tuition fees, and will receive a scholarship for four years.
- Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS (CAMaD), Osaka University
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
Admission Policy
1. Microbiology and Immunology Research at Osaka University
The maintenance and improvement of global health are essential for saving lives from various diseases, including emerging infectious diseases, and for enriching society. Advancing fundamental research to help us understand the complex mechanisms in the human body is necessary to achieve this goal. In particular, the global COVID-19 pandemic these past few years severely impacted society and posed a significant threat to public health, highlighting the need for this type of research. Through fundamental research that explores the mechanisms of infection by microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, and the responses by the immune system, we can develop effective strategies to better combat the threat of such emerging infectious diseases.
Osaka University is one of Japan’s leading research universities and has a long tradition of making significant contributions to medical research, particularly in the fields of microbiology and immunology. Specifically, the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), the Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research (CiDER), and the Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS (CAMaD) continue this tradition at Osaka University by bringing together internationally active and prominent microbiology and immunology researchers. These experts conduct research in an international standard research environment and have produced world-class research results.
Recent technological innovations in the fields of microbiology and immunology, such as the advent of single-cell analysis techniques and informatics technology, have brought about a major transformation in these traditional fields. These research institutions at Osaka University are dedicated to advancing new fundamental research aimed at elucidating human physiological mechanisms, with the goal of developing treatments for human diseases and making meaningful contributions to society.
2. Doctoral Program for Microbiology and Immunology and Recommendations from THSTI
The program aims to cultivate young researchers with a high level of expertise and profound knowledge in microbiology and immunology, thus enabling them to excel globally through the high-quality education and research opportunities in Osaka University's exceptional research environment. Furthermore, we aspire to empower these young researchers to explore new research frontiers and become leaders of the next generation who contribute to the world through groundbreaking research in microbiology and immunology.
The program recruits highly qualified and motivated students residing outside of Japan, and relies heavily on recommendations from THSTI, an esteemed educational and research institution with a long-standing and strong partnership with Osaka University, in order to assess the abilities and qualities of the applicants.
Students admitted to this program will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University. The Graduate School of Medicine offers an integrated curriculum that includes lectures and seminars by world-leading professors from a wide range of research fields, not only life sciences, but also other fields to promote interdisciplinary research to broaden perspectives and foster new fields of study. These courses are conducted in English. In addition, students will conduct their dissertation research under the supervision of a principal investigator at IFReC, RIMD, CiDER, or CAMaD, who is also affiliated with the Graduate School of Medicine. A doctoral degree can be obtained by completing the required coursework at the graduate school and their dissertation research. The standard doctoral program in the Graduate School of Medicine is four years, and it is possible to obtain a doctoral degree in "Medicine."
This doctoral program is jointly organized with the Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University (BIKEN Foundation). Students in this program are eligible for a tuition fee waiver, and will receive a scholarship to be provided by the BIKEN Foundation. Further details are available on the program website.
3. Applicant Eligibility
University admission dates differ depending on whether the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of 1-A or 1-B.
*1-A : Admission in October 2024
**1-B: Admission in April 2025
Admission dates are determined by the regulations of the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine. Therefore, applicants should be aware of the difference in admission dates for application qualifications 1-A and 1-B below.
Applicants for this program must be non-Japanese nationals residing outside of Japan at the time of application and possess the qualifications in (1-A or 1-B) and (2), and the qualities listed in (3) below.
- (A)Applicants who meet any of the following qualifications between April 1st and September 30th of 2024 can apply October 2024 enrolment:*Excluding applicants who meet the qualifications by March 31st of 2024
- Individuals who expect to complete eighteen (18) years of schooling in a country other than Japan between April 1st and September 30th of 2024.
- Individuals who expect to receive the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree through the completion of coursework which requires five (5) or more years of study at an overseas university or school (limited to schools evaluated by organizations that are certified by overseas governments, or relevant agencies, on the comprehensive progress of their education and research, or schools which are designated separately by the Minister of MEXT) between April 1st and September 30th of 2024.
- Individuals who expect to graduate from a university course in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy (limited to course of six (6) years) in Japan between April 1st and September 30th of 2024.
- Individuals who expect to receive their master’s degree or an equivalent professional degree in Japan between April 1st and September 30th of 2024.
- (B)**Applicants who meet any of the following qualifications by March 31st of 2025 can apply for April 2025 enrolment:**Including applicants who meet the qualifications by March 31st of 2024
- Individuals who have completed or expect to complete eighteen (18) years of schooling in a country other than Japan by March 31st of 2025.
- Individuals who have received or expect to receive the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree through the completion of coursework which requires five (5) or more years of study at an overseas university or school (limited to schools evaluated by organizations that are certified by overseas governments, or relevant agencies, on the comprehensive progress of their education and research, or schools which are designated separately by the Minister of MEXT) by March 31st of 2025.
- Individuals who have graduated or expect to graduate from a university course in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy (limited to course of six (6) years) in Japan by March 31st of 2025.
- Individuals who have received or expect to receive their master’s degree or an equivalent professional degree in Japan by March 31st of 2025.
- Applicants must have sufficient English language proficiency with TOEFL-iBT 80 or higher (taken after August 2022) . (Japanese language proficiency is not required.)
- Applicants must have the following qualities:
- Strong interest in life sciences
- Curiosity to explore the unknown world
- Dedication to work on tasks until completion
- Communication skills that transcend the boundaries of academia
- Flexibility to incorporate knowledge from other fields without being limited to one's own field of expertise
- International mindset for a global tomorrow
- Determination to overcome difficulties
- Spirit of pioneering new research fields and changing the world
- Leadership to lead a team to achieve capabilities that transcend the individual
4. Schedule
| By January 23 2024 | Applicants send application documents to the local selection committee at THSTI. (Deadline: January 23 2024) |
| February 2024 | First round selection: Local selection committee at THSTI screens application documents |
| March to April 2024 | Second round selection: Selection committee at Osaka University interviews successful first round applicants at THSTI and/or online. |
| April 2024 | Notification of the results of the second round selection. |
| June 2024 *Qualification (1-A) | Successful applicants send documents to the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University for final confirmation. |
| August 2024 **Qualification (1-B) | |
| June 2024 *Qualification (1-A) | Admission to the Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University |
| August 2024 **Qualification (1-B) |
Application and Selection
Application
Applicants should submit their application documents to the local selection committee at THSTI by postal mail
- Local Selection Committee for OU Doctoral Program at THSTI
- C/O Dr. Bhabatosh Das
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)
- NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad–Gurugram Expressway,
- Faridabad- 121001 (Haryana)
“Application to OU Doctoral Program” should be indicated on the envelope.
- Application deadline is 23 January 2024.
- Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
- The submitted application documents will not be returned to applicants.
- Applicants are not required to pay for the application and the review for the selection.
Selection
The following two rounds of selection will be conducted. Applicants will be notified of the results of each selection.
- First round selectionThe local selection committee at THSTI will conduct their initial selection by screening the submitted application documents. The selection will be conducted around February 2024.Only successful applicants will be recommended by the local selection committee for the second round selection.
- Second round selectionThe Osaka University Selection Committee will conduct the second round selection through interviews from March to April 2024 at THSTI and/or online.
- Final confirmationOnly successful applicants can submit their documents to the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University for final confirmation.
Selection of Academic Advisor (laboratory)
- Check the list of principal investigators and their laboratories at the Appendix or at the website of the program.
- Send an e-mail to the principal investigator of the laboratory of your choice, informing them of your academic background, research plan, and desired dissertation topic (required information may differ from laboratory to laboratory). At that time, be sure to inform them that you wish to apply to the "Doctoral Program in Microbiology and Immunology at Osaka University" based on a recommendation of THSTI.
Application Documents
The following documents must be prepared and submitted in English.
- Application form
- Letter of recommendation
- Official academic transcripts
- Copy of official TOEFL-iBT score
- Application formPlease fill out the application form, which is available for download from this program’s website.Notes on the selection of academic advisor (laboratory)
- If you have already obtained the consent of a potential academic advisor at IFReC, RIMD, CiDER, or CAMaD at the time of application, please enter the name of the potential academic advisor and their research field as your first choice on the section “5. Selection of Academic Advisor (Laboratory)” of the application form (you may leave the second and third choices blank).
- If you are in the process of selecting a laboratory and have not yet obtained the consent of your preferred academic advisor, please indicate the name and research field of your first, second, and third choice of academic advisor on the section “5. Selection of Academic Advisor (Laboratory)”, and your specific project of interest in the section "Statement of Purpose" of the application form.
- Recommendation letterThe recommendation letter should be written in English and should include the following information:
- Name, current position, and current organization of the reference
- Applicant's name
- Relationship between the applicant and the reference
- Signature of the reference and date
- The letter should preferably include the applicant's qualifications, academic record, and skills relevant to the program, the applicant's eligibility for doctoral study and comments on the applicant's qualifications as a researcher.
- Academic transcripts from high school and abovePlease submit academic transcripts from all educational programs from high school and above. For transcripts written in languages other than English, please submit an English translation with the translator's seal or signature.
- Copy of official TOEFL-iBT scoreAs proof of English proficiency, please submit a copy of your TOEFL-iBT score by the time of the second round selection. Applicants must have a minimum English proficiency of TOEFL-iBT 80 or higher (taken after August 2022).
Dowonload
- Program Policy (PDF)
- Application Guidelines (PDF)
- Financial Support (PDF)
- Poster (PDF)
- Application Form (MS-Word)
Notification of Results of the second round selection
Acceptance or rejection will be notified in April 2024. Successful applicants to the program will later be informed of the admission procedures to the Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University for final confirmation.
Precautions Upon Application
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Changes to application materials after submission will not be accepted.
- Submitted documents will not be returned. Please keep copies of all originals for your own records.
- If you provide false information in your application, you will be denied admission or, if you are already admitted, you will be expelled from the school.
- If there are any changes to the application process, the changes will be immediately announced on our website.
Handling of personal information
- Names, addresses, and other personal information provided on the application form and other submitted documents will be used only for the purpose of processing the application. For admitted students, the personal information will be used for academic and student support purposes.
- Personal information may be used for monitoring the selection process and for statistical purposes.
- In the event that the above-mentioned operations are entrusted to a third party, a contract for the protection of personal information will be concluded with the entrusted party.
Financial support
Students in this program are eligible for a tuition fee waiver, and will receive a scholarship to be provided by the Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University (BIKEN Foundation), which jointly organizes this doctoral program. Further details are available on the program website.
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding the preliminary screening, please contact the local selection committee at THSTI.
- bhabatosh thsti.res.in (Dr. Bhabatosh Das)
For general inquiries, please contact the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) at Osaka University.
- recruit ifrec.osaka-u.ac.jp
- More Info: https://www.ifrec.osaka-u.ac.jp/dpmi_thsti/
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