Join Us

We welcome graduate students (Master's and Doctoral) from universities in Japan and abroad who want to build computing systems from the ground up.

Our research centers on self-timed data-driven processors — non-von Neumann processors in which processing is passively initiated upon the arrival of data — and on networking architecture built around them, spanning networking schemes, processor architecture, and circuit implementation. Students typically take charge of one part of this stack and see it through from concept to a working prototype and its evaluation.

A background in computer architecture, digital circuit design (HDL/FPGA), programming (for example, C/C++ or Rust for system software, and Python for experiments and tooling), or computer networks is helpful. For students of the University of Tsukuba joining through laboratory assignment, no specific background is required; what matters most is curiosity about how computers really work and the persistence to make an idea run. For applicants to the Master's program from other universities, in Japan or abroad, we expect prior hands-on experience in digital hardware design (HDL and FPGA), because the two-year program leaves no time to start from zero. New members from other universities begin by reproducing one of our published designs on an FPGA. 　See research topics →

Prospective graduate students (Master's / Doctoral)

We do not accept research students (kenkyusei). Admission is only as a regular Master's or Doctoral student through the University of Tsukuba's entrance examinations.
Please contact us by e-mail before applying. So that we can respond meaningfully, your message must include:

1. the subject line [DDNA application] Your name - Master's/Doctoral - intended enrollment (month/year);
2. a brief CV, including your intended degree and how you plan to fund your studies (for example, scholarships you have applied for or intend to apply for); we ask this to advise you on suitable application routes and timelines, not as a criterion for selection;
3. one paper from our Publications that you have read, with a few sentences in your own words on what you consider its essential contribution, how you would extend or improve it, and one specific point you found unclear or would question; and
4. a description of something you have designed or built yourself (hardware, software, or your thesis work), with a link if available.

Please do not include sensitive personal identifiers (for example, passport or national ID numbers) in your message or CV.
We read every message that follows this format and aim to reply to each of them, normally within two weeks. We regret that we cannot respond to generic or template messages, or to messages that do not address the points above. After the initial contact, we will discuss possible research topics and guide you to the relevant admission information of the University of Tsukuba.
General questions about application procedures, deadlines, and required documents are handled by the University of Tsukuba's admissions offices, not by the laboratory; please refer to the university's official admissions pages for these.

Visits

Lab visits can be arranged for prospective students after the initial contact above. Please suggest your preferred dates so that we can prepare a short introduction and a demonstration of our prototypes.

Students of the University of Tsukuba

If you are a COINS student considering your laboratory assignment, please see the Japanese page (配属希望の方へ), which includes the schedule of the information sessions.