To  students interested in joining our group
(Japanese version here)

First of all, thank you for your interest in our group! This page is intended for those who are considering joining our lab as a graduate student. Here, we introduce the main research directions of our lab, how faculty and students work together, and some key things we encourage you to focus on to grow as a researcher. If you are interested in becoming a member of our lab, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through this page. It may help you get a sense of whether our lab would be a good fit for you.

If you would like to know more about our lab, please feel free to contact Prof. Satoshi Okuzumi (see here for his contact information).

See also this page for how to apply for the International Graduate Program (IGP) at Science Tokyo.

1.  Our research 

We study planet formation and the environment in which it occurs, namely, protoplanetary disks. Ultimately, we aim to answer fundamental questions such as when and where planets with diverse compositions form, and how common the formation of Earth-like planets is. These questions drive our research.

Our work lies at the intersection of astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science. A key feature of our lab is that we focus on the overlapping areas of these disciplines.

Two guiding principles of our research are:

1. Gaining a deep understanding of the physics of planet formation. There are many approaches to studying the origin of planets. Our strategy is to rely heavily on physics and theoretical modeling, aiming to understand planet formation as faithfully as possible to the underlying physical processes.

2. Using the latest data to test and refine our theories. Modern research in planet formation is in a fortunate position: we now have access to a wealth of observational data from exoplanet surveys and imaging of protoplanetary disks, as well as valuable clues about the Solar System from meteorites and spacecraft missions. We actively incorporate these data into our work, striving to build planet formation theories that are not only physically grounded but also supported by the latest observations.

Most members of the lab focus on theory-based research, including building physical models of planet formation and developing new methods for analyzing observational data, including those based on machine learning. We also collaborate extensively with researchers outside our lab and university, including experts in astronomical observation and Solar System material analysis.

For more information, please see our webpages for Research,  Publications, and Thesis titles.

2. Becoming an independent researcher

In our lab, we hope that every student grows into an independent professional. By independent, we mean someone who can take initiative in planning their own research and even lead a team. By professional, we mean someone who possesses advanced knowledge, skills, and problem-solving abilities—and knows how to apply them effectively. 

To encourage students to take ownership of their research, we intentionally avoid a traditional "top-down" approach to supervision. Rather than giving directive instruction, faculty members act as collaborative research partners and advisors for your research journey. We’re always happy to offer advice or feedback when asked, and we do so wholeheartedly. But we want you to take the lead in shaping your own research. Think of the faculty as a resource, one you are encouraged to fully take advantage of to achieve your goals.

When a new student joins the lab, we do not assign research topics unilaterally. Instead, topics are decided through dialogue between the student and faculty. We begin by encouraging students to explore their interests through readings, discussions, and informal meetings. As these conversations progress, there often comes a moment when both the student and the faculty member get genuinely excited about a research idea: "This could be a really fun and meaningful project!" Getting to that moment requires active discussion and self-driven exploration. Our faculty members take pride in helping turn your ideas into something that is both feasible and scientifically exciting. Once you define your goals, we’ll provide as much guidance and advice as you need to move forward.