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Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics

Osaka University (RCNP)

Osaka University's flagship nuclear physics facility, with the world-class K1.1 GeV Ring Cyclotron. Active program in nuclear structure, hadron physics, and precision measurements. Open to international PhD students.

About this lab

Osaka University's flagship nuclear physics facility, with the world-class K1.1 GeV Ring Cyclotron. Active program in nuclear structure, hadron physics, and precision measurements. Open to international PhD students.

How to join

For university labs, apply through the parent graduate program. Most Japanese graduate admissions are decided by the lab head once you have established contact — email the lab 6-12 months before the application deadline using our how to email a Japanese professor guide.

Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics is associated with Osaka University (RCNP). See our university profile for admissions, tuition, scholarships, and the broader academic environment.

For research areas in Physics:

Scholarships and funding

For university labs at the parent institution: MEXT scholarship covers tuition + monthly stipend with no return obligation. For industry research labs (Preferred Networks, Sakana AI, NTT Comm Sci, Toyota Research, Sony AI): research scientist and internship paths exist; PhD students usually affiliate with a partner university while interning at the industry lab. JSPS DC1/DC2 fellowships cover stipend during PhD at university labs.

Application timeline (April 2027 entry)

For university-affiliated labs, the standard timeline applies — see our application timeline guide. Email the lab in early-to-mid 2026 for April 2027 entry; submit formal application to the parent program by July-November 2026.

Profile based on public information from Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics's official site. Last refreshed 2026-04. Visit lab site · Report incorrect information

Frequently asked questions

Does Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics accept international students?

Yes. Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics has accepted international graduate students and visiting researchers historically. Verify with the lab page directly for current openings.

What's the language of working in this lab?

Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics maintains an English-language web presence and welcomes English-speaking researchers. Internal lab communication may still be partly Japanese, but English-only researchers can typically join.

How do I apply to Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics?

Apply to the parent institution's graduate program (or postdoc opportunity for industry/government labs). Email the lab head 6-12 months before your target start date — see our guide on emailing Japanese professors.

What scholarships work with this lab?

For university-affiliated labs, MEXT scholarship (full tuition + ¥1.7M/year stipend) covers admission via either Embassy Recommendation or the lab's University Recommendation track. JASSO Honors Scholarship and foundation scholarships add monthly stipends. For industry/government labs, employer-funded internships and JSPS fellowships are typical paths.

What field does Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics work in?

Primary fields: Physics. See the lab's official site for current specific research themes.

Can I do my PhD entirely at Osaka RCNP — Research Center for Nuclear Physics?

For university labs: yes — PhD students typically affiliate with one lab for the full duration of their program. For OIST: students do 3 lab rotations in year 1 then choose a primary lab. For industry/government labs (Preferred Networks, RIKEN AIP, etc.): typically you do the PhD with a partner university and intern at the industry lab — full-time PhD enrollment at the industry lab is rare.

What's the lab size and structure?

Japanese labs typically have 10-30 members including the PI, postdocs, PhD students, Master's students, and sometimes undergraduates. Industry research labs vary widely from small startup teams (5-10) to large corporate research divisions (100+). Contact the lab directly for current numbers.