Rotation System in Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
Johannes Nicolaus Wibisana Updated in July 2025

In this column I will talk about the rotation system at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). This is one of the reasons I chose OIST to do my PhD, as not many universities (at least in Japan) have this kind of system. In OIST, the rotation system enables students to experience 3 different lab environments, for 4 months at a time, before committing to a laboratory for PhD research. Here, laboratory rotations are a fundamental component of the PhD program, designed to provide students with diverse research experiences and assist in selecting an appropriate thesis research unit.

Structure of Laboratory Rotations

• Number and Duration: During the first year, PhD students are required to complete three laboratory rotations, each lasting one term. These rotations allow students to engage with different research units, broadening their scientific perspectives and skill sets. Some students may opt to do another lab rotation, given that they are still struggling to commit to a laboratory.
• In-Field and Out-of-Field Rotations: Students must undertake at least one rotation outside their primary field of study. This "out-of-field" rotation fosters interdisciplinary understanding and communication, encouraging students to acquire complementary research skills. This is especially nice as this might be your last chance to do something that you like but is not necessarily what you want to do as a career. For me, I rotated in a paleontology lab, which I always wanted to do, but not make a career out of.

Requirements for Each Rotation

1. 1. Active Participation: Students are expected to engage productively in research activities, dedicating a minimum of 20 hours per week to their assigned projects. Active involvement in lab meetings, seminars, and discussions within the unit is also required.
2. 2. Lab Rotation Proposal: By the end of the first calendar month of the rotation, students must submit a 1-2 page written summary outlining the aims of the rotation. This proposal should reference recent research publications in the field and may include illustrations.
3. 3. Oral Presentation: At the conclusion of the rotation, students are required to present their research findings in a 10-15 minute presentation to the members of the research unit. I don’t think this is a set requirement, but I did it, and it is nice to present your rotation project with people in your lab.
4. 4. Lab Rotation Report: A comprehensive written report must be submitted by the end of the rotation. This report should include a concise literature review, detailed methods used, activities carried out, and, when applicable, research results. The report should demonstrate familiarity with the scientific language of the field.

Assessment

Each rotation is assessed on a pass/fail or letter grade basis, at the discretion of the rotation supervisor. Assessment criteria include productive engagement in research, quality of the lab rotation proposal, effectiveness of the oral presentation, and the comprehensiveness of the lab rotation report. Successful completion of all three rotations is mandatory for progression in the PhD program. In my experience, most students will get a pass, but I have heard some cases where some students fail rotation as they did not participate enough.

Integration with Research Internships

For research interns whose internships extend beyond four months, there is an opportunity to have the internship recognized as an equivalent to a lab rotation. Eligibility criteria include developing an independent project, submitting a lab rotation proposal and report, delivering a final presentation to the unit, and enrolling in the OIST PhD program within twelve months after completing the internship. This pathway allows interns to enter their thesis research laboratory earlier than regular students.

Availability of laboratories

Not all laboratories are available for rotation. There is a list that is available to quickly check if a laboratory is open for rotation: https://groups.oist.jp/grad/unit-availability-phd-students. However, this list is not everything. Sometimes, a faculty might have a seat for students which is not yet or not advertised. It is always best to send a message to the faculty before you select a laboratory for rotation.

Overall, OIST's laboratory rotation program is meticulously structured to equip students with a broad and interdisciplinary research foundation, essential for their development as versatile and skilled scientists.