The International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2) at Hiroshima University is currently accepting applications for Doctoral Fellows. We encourage applications from candidates across diverse disciplines who have an interest in obtaining an interdisciplinary graduate education and conducting research on topics related to the center, such as metamaterials, knot theory, topological solitons, chirality, soft matter, magnets, colloids, polymers, quantum materials, biomaterials, proteins, active matter, origins of life, energy efficiency and others. 

As a research center under the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) of the Japanese government, our mission at SKCM2 develops a new interdisciplinary research paradigm known as "knotted chiral meta matter" (KCM2).  Our team of researchers cross-pollinates topology and chirality knowledge across disciplines and scales.  One key goal includes the creation of designable artificial knot-like particles that exhibit highly unusual and technologically useful properties, which will both deepen our understanding of natural phenomena as well as be useful for technological innovation to solve global problems, such as the growing energy demand and climate change. 

About the Role 

This position is part of a 5-year PhD degree program offered through Hiroshima University (HU), specifically within the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering or the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Mathematical, and Life Sciences. As a PhD candidate, you will be able to choose a primary advisor from HU and two co-mentors from various disciplines and/or international nodes, to provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary mentoring experience.   Potential mentors and the corresponding institutions, in addition to the ones at Hiroshima University, can be found here. Start Dates: April and October of each academic year

Key Features of the Program

• Interdisciplinary research opportunity

• International exchange visits develop students' global perspectives

• Choose co-mentors from WPI nodes (MIT, U Colorado, Cambridge U, and other institutions of our international PIs and co-PIs)

• Graduate training modeled based on best practices of PhD programs in the USA and UK

• Support to attend WPI-SKCM2-sponsored Summer and/ or Winter Schools to learn from world leaders in the fields related to topology and chirality

• Sustainability among many missions

• Stipends available, supported by WPI-SKCM2

As a WPI research center, SKCM2 intends to establish a stimulating international research environment where about 50% of researchers are non-Japanese, with English being the official language within the WPI Center. SKCM2 is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals from all over the World, including women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, or gender identity, etc.

Qualifications 

• Holders of undergraduate or Master’s degrees in Physics, Mathematics, Material Science, Biology, Chemistry, Cosmology, Earth, and Planetary Science, or related disciplines.

• Individuals with a keen interest in interdisciplinary science and collaboration across diverse research fields.

• Proficient in English with excellent communication skills.

• No prior knowledge of the theory of knots or chirality phenomena is required.

Application

Please see this link for the application procedure: https://wpi-skcm2.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/graduate-education-application-process/

Required documents for Screening Application

• Transcripts from most recently obtained degree

• Recommendation letters as per Hiroshima University Graduate School's format. See form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DNd1KSa-sx4h15jO21nAltsSGZEjp7b5/edit

Contact