Misasa International Student Intern Program 2005
at the Institute for Study of the Earth’s Interior (ISEI),
Okayama University, Misasa, Japan---Application Information--About the institute
The Institute for Study of the Earth's Interior (ISEI) is a leading institute wellequipped with state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities; active researches
are being conducted in the basic research areas of high-pressure and temperaturematerials 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 earthsciences through the embarkation of the Center of Excellence for the 21st Century(COE-21) program (Program Leader: Professor Eizo Nakamura), sponsored by theMinistry of 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 website:
http://www.misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp

About the program
The first annual Misasa international intern program for advanced undergraduaterd((3 to 4th year) and M.Sc. students has been planned as part of the COE-21 program topromote international collaborative research and education. The intern program will beheld 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 ona project in one of the areas of (1) geochemistry and geochronology, (2) ultra-highpressure phase equilibria and mineral physics, and (3) physicochemical properties ofmagmas. 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" (MISASA1) 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 andscientists from all over the world. At the conclusion of the program, an internsymposium will be held for all the participants to deliver oral presentations of theirwork. Communications will be made in English.

Eligibility
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, whohave 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.

Financial support
Travel expenses and daily allowance will be fully covered, and accommodation in
the Misasa guesthouse will be provided.

Number of participants:
About 10.

Application procedure
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:
1. A resume including your contact information, university, educational background,past work and/or research experience,
2. A short essay including a description of your scientific interests, a summary of
why you wish to participate in the intern program, and a statement of research inwhich of the three areas you would like to pursue: (1) geochemistry andgeochronology, (2) ultra-high pressure phase equilibria and mineral physics, and(3) physicochemical properties of magmas. Students who have a strong desire towork on a particular project are encouraged to also include a research proposal.

3. A letter of recommendation from a scientist who is familiar with your academicwork. For those whose first language is not English, the letter should include anevaluation of the applicant’s English efficiency.

Contact information
The application should be sent by either e-mail or air mail to:Ms. Yoshiko Nakano
Secretary, Institute for Study of the Earth’s Interior
Okayama University
Misasa, Tottori, 682-0193 Japane-mail:coe@misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp
For inquires concerning the intern program, please contact Dr. Xianyu Xue, theprogram coordinator (xianyu@misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp) or any other ISEI faculty
members.