Organization: RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS)
Host country: Japan
Degree level: Masters, Doctoral
Funding: Paid Internship
Deadline: Open / Rolling
Fields of study: Integrative Medical Sciences, Genomic Medicine, Immunology, Physiology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Sciences, Biochemical Sciences, Quantitative Sciences
The RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) Internship Program is designed to host young, distinguished international scientists who wish to carry out advanced research activities in IMS laboratories. Running for a duration of 1 to 3 months, the program applies interdisciplinary approaches to integrative medical sciences, spanning immunology, bioinformatics, and genome-wide medical science. The FY2026 program provides structural financial support divided into Category 1 (for students) and Category 2 (for postdocs), ensuring participants can focus entirely on their scientific contributions to human health.
Benefits
Category 1 receives an internship daily allowance of 3,000 JPY per working day
Category 1 and Category 2 both receive full coverage for necessary travel expenses
Category 1 and Category 2 both receive lodging support structured by duration (up to 11,600 JPY/day for days 1-30; up to 10,440 JPY/day for days 31-60; up to 9,280 JPY/day for 61 days and more)
Hands-on experience conducting cutting-edge biomedical and genomic research in world-class Japanese laboratories
Eligibility
Category 1 applicants must be students enrolled in a Master's or PhD program, or medical students at a level equivalent to a Master's student in Japan
Category 2 applicants must be young postdocs within three years of obtaining their PhD
All applicants must remain enrolled in an academic institution (university, research institute, etc.) during the entire proposed internship period
Applicants must strictly be international scientists who require this internship program to be able to come to RIKEN IMS
Requirements
Submission of a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae
Submission of a 1-page (A4 size) statement of purpose detailing the specific research topics of interest in RIKEN IMS
Submission of a 1-page (A4 size) document explaining the applicant's research background
Specification of desired internship dates lasting between 1 to 3 months
A recommendation letter must be sent directly from the applicant's current supervisor to the intended host team leader at RIKEN IMS
EU and UK residents must submit a completed GDPR Consent form
Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Statement of Purpose (A4 size, 1 page)
Research Background (A4 size, 1 page)
Desired Internship Dates document
Recommendation Letter (sent directly by supervisor)
GDPR Consent Form (for EU and UK residents only)
Programs of Study
Category 1 Internship (for Master's and PhD students)
Category 2 Internship (for young Postdoctoral fellows)
Application Process
Review the available research teams and scientific topics at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
Prepare your CV, statement of purpose, research background, and desired dates
Instruct your academic supervisor to send a formal recommendation letter directly to your chosen host team leader at IMS
Submit your application materials as specified by the RIKEN IMS guidelines for the FY2026 intake
How to Apply
Ensure your statement of purpose strictly fits within a single A4 page and explicitly connects your goals to the research being done at RIKEN IMS
Do not send the recommendation letter yourself; it must come directly from your supervisor to the host team leader to be considered valid
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by the RIKEN IMS host laboratories to assess the candidate's research background and alignment with the center's scientific goals
Approved candidates are selected based on the availability of funds and lab capacity for the requested 1 to 3-month duration