SOKENDAI KEK Tsukuba/J-PARC Summer Student Program 2025: Apply for a Research Opportunity in Japan!

The SOKENDAI KEK Tsukuba/J-PARC Summer Student Program 2025 is currently accepting applications from undergraduate and early graduate students who are enthusiastic about cutting-edge scientific Research Opportunity in Japan. Students can participate in state-of-the-art research in particle physics, nuclear physics, material and life sciences, accelerator science, and theoretical physics through this fully sponsored research experience in Japan. Participants will get the chance to work at two of the top accelerator science research facilities in the world, the Tsukuba and Tokai campuses of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). This article contains details.

Program Summary

  • Location: Japanese campuses in Tsukuba and Tokai
  • High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) is the host institution.
  • Target Audience: Early-stage Master’s students and undergraduates (the latter half).
  • Research Interests: Advanced detection systems, accelerator science, material and biological sciences, nuclear physics, elementary particle physics, and theoretical physics.
  • Type of Funding: Fully Funded
  • Time frame: up to eight weeks
  • The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM (Japan time).
  • Start Date: Mid-June 2025 (specific dates will be decided upon following selection).
  • Both Japanese and international students are eligible.

Program Overview

Japan’s top research facility for nuclear science, high-energy physics, and accelerator technology is called KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization). It runs two sizable campuses:

1. Tsukuba Campus

The Belle II Experiment, which explores fundamental physics beyond the Standard Model, is located at the SuperKEKB electron-positron collider. Here is also the Photon Factory, a state-of-the-art synchrotron light source.

2. Tokai Campus (J-PARC)

Houses one of the most potent high-intensity proton beam facilities in the world, the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC), where scientists use state-of-the-art accelerator equipment to investigate particle physics, nuclear physics, and material/life sciences.

At these cutting-edge facilities, the summer program aims to expose students to practical experimental and theoretical research.

Areas of Research

  1. Nuclear physics

  2. Material & life science

  3. Accelerator science

  4. Advanced detection systems (sensors, electronics, computing)

  5. Theoretical physics (quantum field theory, lattice QCD)

Activities and Program Structure

During the SOKENDAI KEK Tsukuba/J-PARC Summer Student Program, students will:

  • Be placed in a research group at KEK according to their areas of interest.
  • Under the supervision of more experienced researchers, carry out theoretical or experimental research initiatives.
  • Work together with KEK scientists, postdocs, and graduate students from SOKENDAI.
  • In July and August, take part in collaborative academic and networking events.
  • Work on simulations, computational techniques, experimental setups, and data analysis.

ℹ️ Note: Participants in theory study are only allowed to stay for four weeks, whereas experimental studies might go up to eight weeks.

Funding and Benefits| Research Opportunity in Japan|


 For international students
  • Airfare for both directions (paid to travel companies directly).
  • Participants are not charged for lodging at the KEK/J-PARC dorms.
  • 1,500 JPY (around $10 USD) per day as a stipend.
  • Costs of domestic travel between KEK/J-PARC and the Tokyo airports (Narita/Haneda).

 For Japanese students

  • lodging in the dorms at KEK/J-PARC.
  • Stipend of 1,500 JPY each day.
  • Costs of domestic travel (paid by bank transfer).
⚠️ Additional Notes:
  • Participants are responsible for paying for their own medical insurance and visa.
  • Students are not required to purchase their own airline tickets; the organizers handle this.
  • Within two weeks of arrival, cash reimbursements in Japanese yen are given.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Citizenship: Available to both Japanese and foreign students.
  • Academic status: Complete an undergraduate degree or begin a Master’s program (PhD students are not eligible).
  • Academic Background: While not required, a background in dynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics is advised.
  • Language: Be proficient in either Japanese or English.

Application Procedure

1. Register for the Program

  • Complete the Registration Form to receive an ID number.

  • Once you have registered, you will receive an email with your ID number.

2. Get the necessary paperwork ready.

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  • A transcript of official academic work (If not in Japanese or English, include a condensed English translation.)

  • Completed application form (Word format)

  • A minimum of one letter of recommendation from a researcher or university professor who is acquainted with your scholarly work.
  • (For recommenders) The professor should use the same email account to send letters straight to KEK.

3. Submit Required Documents via Email

  • Send the documents above to: [kekssp-app@ml.post.kek.jp]

  • Subject: “[KEKSSP Application, ID=XXX]” (where XXX is the ID number you were given).

Selection Process For The Research Opportunity in Japan

  1. Academic achievement, motivation, and research alignment are taken into consideration when reviewing applications.
  2. Those that make the short list can be asked to participate in an online interview.
  3. Notification of the chosen students will be sent by April 30, 2025.

ℹ️ For Further Information about the Research Opportunity in Japan application process, visit the official webpage.

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