Join Us
EVARL welcomes students, researchers, and staff who are interested in robot body design, control, machine learning, and foundation models, and who take initiative in research and development. You can join us as a master’s or PhD student or postdoctoral researcher.
| Role | Prior contact | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | Not required | Take the graduate entrance examination |
| PhD | Normally required (see MEXT Embassy Recommendation below) | Normally submit a CV, attend an interview, and take the entrance examination. For MEXT Embassy Recommendation, follow the procedure below. |
| Postdoc | Required | Send your CV, research achievements, and research plan |
Master’s
How to apply
Please take the University of Tokyo graduate entrance examination. We accept students who pass the entrance examination.
Prior contact or an interview with the laboratory is not required for regular master’s admission.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email.
Graduate School of Information Science and Technology: admissions
International applicants and funding
For international applicants, we strongly recommend the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship through Embassy Recommendation as a first-choice funding route. Please explore this option early. If you are not selected, arrange tuition and living expenses through personal funds or other external scholarships.
EVARL does not accept applications through MEXT University Recommendation.
At the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, MEXT Embassy Recommendation recipients normally start as non-degree Graduate International Research Students and must pass the entrance examination to enter a master’s or doctoral program. Scholarship procedures differ from regular admission; follow the latest official guidance.
PhD
We actively welcome working professionals who wish to pursue a PhD. If you are interested in earning a doctorate while continuing your professional career, please get in touch.
How to apply
For regular PhD applications, please contact us by email in advance and attend an interview. For MEXT Embassy Recommendation applications, please follow the dedicated guidance below.
- CV, including your publication list
- Your main research achievements
- A brief description of the research you would like to pursue at EVARL
Prospective PhD students applying through MEXT Embassy Recommendation
When applying to the Japanese embassy or consulate, you may list EVARL and Kawaharazuka as your first-choice laboratory and prospective supervisor without prior email contact or permission. You do not need to email us or arrange an interview just to confirm this choice.
Our laboratory's policy is to accept MEXT Embassy Recommendation scholarship recipients in principle. After passing the embassy's First Screening, apply for a Letter of Provisional Acceptance by the deadline following the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology's official instructions; do not wait for the final scholarship result. The graduate school will contact your prospective supervisor to confirm acceptance.
Listing us as your first choice does not constitute formal provisional acceptance or guarantee a scholarship. Graduate school approval and MEXT selection are separate requirements. Students normally begin as non-degree Graduate International Research Students and must pass the graduate entrance examination to enter the doctoral program.
Official MEXT Embassy Recommendation and provisional acceptance instructions
Eligibility and research experience
We seek applicants with research experience who can work independently. We consider your research achievements, technical skills, and fit with the laboratory’s research.
As a general requirement, applicants must have published at least one paper at a major peer-reviewed international conference or in an academic journal.
For students based in Japan who are considering a PhD at EVARL, we strongly recommend joining as an RA beforehand. This helps both sides understand each other’s research approach and working style.
Funding
We encourage doctoral students to secure tuition and living expenses through scholarships and fellowships. For students based in Japan in particular, we recommend preparing early for JSPS Research Fellowships (DC1/DC2) and the University of Tokyo’s SPRING GX as key funding options.
- JSPS Research Fellowships (DC1/DC2): Support for doctoral research. Explore the appropriate category for your stage of study.
- SPRING GX: A support program for doctoral students at the University of Tokyo.
- Please also explore other university and external scholarships for which you are eligible.
Eligibility, support, and rules on combining funding differ by program and year. Check the latest official guidelines and prepare well in advance.
For international applicants to the doctoral program, we strongly recommend MEXT Embassy Recommendation as a first-choice funding route. Official MEXT and scholarship guidance
If you do not receive scholarship or fellowship funding, please make your own arrangements, including personal funds, for tuition and living expenses. University RA support may be available, but amounts are limited and do not guarantee sufficient living expenses.
Please do not apply on the assumption that the laboratory will provide financial support.
Postdoc
We welcome postdoctoral researchers with strong research achievements in robotics and related fields.
How to apply
Please contact us in advance by email with:
- Your CV, publication list, and main research achievements
- Your proposed research at EVARL
- Your preferred start date and research duration
- External fellowship or funding status and planned applications
We consider your achievements, expertise, and the fit between your research plan and the laboratory when deciding on interviews and acceptance.
Funding
Positions funded by the laboratory depend on the timing and project situation and are not always available. We actively welcome researchers joining through external fellowships, including JSPS programs.
- JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Standard): A program for early-career researchers from overseas to conduct collaborative research with a host researcher in Japan. International applicants are encouraged to explore this option and check the nationality and doctoral-degree requirements.
- JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists (PD): A fellowship supporting postdoctoral research, open to Japanese nationals and foreign nationals with permanent residence in Japan. Please also check the other eligibility criteria, including the timing of your doctorate. PD eligibility requirements (Japanese)
If you would like to apply with EVARL as your host, please contact us early with your CV, research plan, intended fellowship, and application timeline. Coordination with the host researcher and institutional procedures take time, so please prepare well before the JSPS deadline. Consult the latest official guidelines for schedules, eligibility, and support.
Applications and contact
For PhD or postdoc applications, email the required documents and include your intended role (PhD / Postdoc) in the subject line.
Prospective PhD students applying through MEXT Embassy Recommendation do not need to email us to confirm that they may list us as their first choice. Please follow the dedicated guidance above.
kawaharazuka [at] jsk.imi.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Acceptance by the laboratory and formal admission to the graduate school are separate procedures. Please consult the University of Tokyo’s official admission guidelines for current eligibility and application procedures.