The Institute for Study of the Earth's Interior (ISEI) is a leading institute well equipped with state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities; active researches are being conducted in the basic research areas of high-pressure and temperature materials science, isotope and trace element geochemistry, and high-resolution geochronology, aimed at understanding the origin, evolution and dynamics of the Earth. The institute is rapidly developing into an international research center for solid earth sciences through the embarkation of the Center of Excellence for the 21st Century (COE-21) program (Program Leader: Professor Eizo Nakamura), sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) in July, 2003, and is now constantly the host to a significant number of leading and young collaborative researchers from worldwide. The institute is located in Misasa town, which is well known in Japan for its hot-spring spa. For more information about members and researches at ISEI and its surroundings, please visit the following links:
The first annual Misasa international intern program for advanced undergraduate (3rd to 4th year) and M.Sc. students has been planned as part of the COE-21 program to promote international collaborative research and education. The intern program will be held from February 23(Weds) to March 23 (Weds), 2005. During the four-week program, students will be given the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the cutting-edge research facilities and activities at ISEI, and to conduct research using these facilities on a project in one of the areas of (1) geochemistry and geochronology, (2) ultra-high pressure phase equilibria and mineral physics, and (3) physicochemical properties of magmas. The individual research projects will be carefully designed, taking into consideration of the participants' educational background, research experience and interests, and will be supervised by a team consisting of one or more faculty members and postdoctoral fellows. All the students will also participate in the Misasa International Symposium on "Origin, Evolution and Dynamics of the Earth" (MISASA-1) to be held in Misasa on March 5-6, 2005, which will feature guest talks by distinguished scientists, and oral and poster presentations by ISEI members and scientists from all over the world. At the conclusion of the program, an intern symposium will be held for all the participants to deliver oral presentations of their work. Communications will be made in English.
The program is open to advanced undergraduate (3rd to 4th year) and M.Sc. students majoring in earth sciences, physics, chemistry, materials sciences, or related fields, who have a strong interest in a career of scientific research. Students from either within or outside Japan, regardless of nationality, are eligible to apply. Communication skill in English is required.
Travel expenses and daily allowance will be fully covered, and accommodation in the Misasa guesthouse will be provided.
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Potential applicants are encouraged to consult with an ISEI faculty member whose research is of interest, prior to formal application. To apply, please send application materials by November 30 (Thurs), 2004. Notification of acceptance will be made by December 13 (Thurs), 2004. The application should be prepared in English and include the following items:
The application should be sent by either e-mail or air mail to:
Ms. Yoshiko NakanoFor inquires concerning the intern program, please contact Dr. Xianyu Xue, the program coordinator (xianyu@misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp) or any other ISEI faculty members.