About RIKEN IMS Internship Program
The RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences Internship Program is a short research internship in Japan. It is for talented international students and young postdoctoral researchers who want to gain research experience in a top medical science center. The program allows interns to work in advanced laboratories and learn modern research skills. The internship period is between 1 to 3 months. Interns can join different labs based on their research interest. This internship helps young researchers grow their academic career and work in a new research environment. It supports travel and living costs based on category. It is a great chance to learn, improve skills, and build international research connections in Japan.
RIKEN IMS Internship Details
- Host Country: Japan
- Host Institute: RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
- Internship Name: RIKEN IMS Internship Program
- Study Level: Master, PhD, Medical Students, Postdoctoral
- Gender: Male and Female
- English Certificate: Not clearly required (English documents needed)
- Application Deadline: At least 4 months before desired start date
- Type: Funded Internship (Partial financial support)
Included Study Levels
- Master students (1–3 months)
- PhD students (1–3 months)
- Medical students (equivalent to Master level)
- Young Postdoctoral researchers (within 3 years after PhD)
Fields Covered by This Internship
This internship focuses on medical and life sciences.
Undergraduate Level
(Not available for Bachelor students)
Master Level Fields
- Genome science
- Immunology
- Physiology
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular science
- Biochemical science
- Quantitative science
PhD Level Fields
- Genome-wide medical science
- Immunology research
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular biology
- Medical data science
- Integrative medical sciences
RIKEN IMS Internship Benefits
- Travel cost support
- Free or supported accommodation
- Daily allowance (3,000 yen per working day for students)
- International research experience
- Work in advanced laboratories
Not Included in the Internship
- No salary
- No long-term visa (over 90 days)
- No daily allowance for postdocs
- No family support
- No personal expenses
Who Can Apply
- Master students
- PhD students
- Medical students (Master level)
- Young postdocs (within 3 years after PhD)
- Students enrolled in a university during internship
Who Cannot Apply
- Bachelor students
- Postdocs older than 3 years after PhD
- Applicants not enrolled in university
- Applicants planning to stay more than 90 days
Required Documents for RIKEN IMS Internships
- CV
- Research proposal (1 page)
- Research background (1 page)
- Agreement form
- GDPR form (EU/UK only)
- Recommendation letter (sent by supervisor)
How to Become Successful
- Choose the right laboratory
- Write a strong research plan
- Show clear career goals
- Contact supervisor early
- Submit documents on time
Living Cost in Japan (Estimated Monthly)
| Expense Type | Average Cost (Yen) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 90,000 – 150,000 |
| Food | 30,000 – 50,000 |
| Transport | 10,000 – 20,000 |
| Utilities | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Personal Expenses | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| Total | 160,000 – 265,000 |
How to Apply
- Visit the official website of RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences
- Find a suitable laboratory
- Prepare your research topic
- Prepare all required documents
- Send email to the internship committee
- Ask your supervisor to send recommendation letter
- Wait for confirmation from host laboratory
FAQ – RIKEN IMS Internships
What is the duration of the internship?
The internship lasts between 1 to 3 months.
Is IELTS required?
There is no clear requirement for IELTS, but documents must be in English.
Is this a fully funded internship?
It covers travel and accommodation. Students also receive daily allowance.
Can Bachelor students apply?
No, Bachelor students are not eligible.
Will rejected applicants be notified?
No, only accepted applicants receive notification.
For more information, please visit the official website of the RIKEN IMS Internship Program.