On Selecting a Mentor
On Selecting a Mentor
In the recruitment of Assistant Professors at Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS), applicants should select a professor or associate professor of the University (but not a visiting or specially appointed professor) as their mentor. To select a mentor, The TOHOKU UNIVERSITY Researchers website at the URL below or the websites of each graduate school or research institute are helpful.
# TOHOKU UNIVERSITY Researchers:
https://www.r-info.tohoku.ac.jp/
Applicants are required to obtain the prior consent of the mentor regarding the internal regulations on the mentors and the attached description of the responsibilities of mentors shown at the URL below. When selecting a mentor, applicants are expected to experience a variety of research environments, for example, by selecting a mentor from other than the applicant’s former laboratories.
# Internal regulations on the mentors and the responsibilities of mentors:
https://www.fris.tohoku.ac.jp/media/files/mentorregulations_rev20220620_EN.pdf (English)
https://www.fris.tohoku.ac.jp/media/files/mentorregulations_rev20220620_JP.pdf (Japanese)
# TOHOKU UNIVERSITY Researchers:
https://www.r-info.tohoku.ac.jp/
It is also possible to select a professor or associate professor of FRIS as a mentor. The research fields and contact information of faculty members who can serve as mentors are listed below.
Platform | Materials and Energy

Research Fields |
Inorganic material science, Multi-functional materials, Thin film processing |
Research Subjects |
Development of new multi-functional (Tunneling Magneto-Dielectric effect and Tunneling Magneto-Optical effect) materials by metal-ceramic nano-granular films
|
Message |
When metals and ceramics are composited at nanoscale, they exhibit unprecedented functional properties. We have discovered new multi-functional properties such as the Tunneling Magneto-Dielectric (TMD) effect and the Tunneling Magneto-Optical (TMO) effect. Through interdisciplinary research in magnetic physics, medical engineering, and materials science, we are pioneering a new field of nano-composite thin films with new functions. |
|
hiromasu[at]fris.tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Information and Systems

Research Fields |
Magnetic film deposition, Room temperature bonding of wafers, High-density storage |
Research Subjects |
Atomic diffusion bonding technique for electric/optical devices, High density MAMR/HAMR recording media |
Message |
We have proposed an atomic diffusion bonding method for bonding wafers of different materials at room temperature using the rearrangement of crystal lattices at the contact interface of thin films. Using this method, we are developing research on new device formation. We are also working on research on functional thin films used in electronic devices using the thin film deposition technology that is the basis of the bonding technique. |
|
shimatsu[at]fris.tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Advanced Basic Science

Research Fields |
Material Process Engineering, Nanomaterial Science, Chemical Engineering |
Research Subjects |
Material conversion processes for carbon circulation / Multi-scale structural control of materials based on science of dynamic interfaces / Development and application of hydrothermal electrochemical process |
Message |
Our laboratory specializes in controlling materials and processes in high-temperature, high-pressure environments, including supercritical fluids. As our commitment to fostering a carbon-circular society, we focus on developing hierarchically structured nanocatalysts and designing highly efficient material conversion processes that fully harness the potential of the nanomaterials. |
|
takaaki.tomai.e6 [at] tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Advanced Basic Science
.jpg)
Research Fields |
Non-equilibrium materials, Microstructures of materials, Metal physics |
Research Subjects |
Structure, transformation and deformation in metallic glasses, Relaxation and rejuvenation phenomena in metallic glasses |
Message |
Random atomic structured materials such as amorphous or metallic glass have significantly different properties with those of conventional crystalline alloys and are anticipated to have industrial uses in the next generation. We address an important challenge by controlling the relaxation behavior of glasses to improve their mechanical properties and to contribute to their applications. |
|
jsaida[at]fris.tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Materials and Energy

Research Fields |
Electrochemistry, Industrial physical chemistry, Material chemistry |
Research Subjects |
In situ Raman Spectroscopy for battery active materials, Development of Zn-air batteries, Li ion batteries and fuel cells |
Message |
Analyzing the interfaces between the electrolyte solutions and the electrodes for lithium secondary batteries, fuel cells, next generation batteries and molecular electronic devices is important for developing electrochemical energy conversion devices. Our present study investigates the behavior of molecules at the interface with In situ Raman spectroscopy and focuses on the dynamical changes in the Raman spectra at different battery conditions. |
|
itoh[at]fris.tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Life and Environments

Research Fields |
Cell Biology, Cytoskeleton, Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience |
Research Subjects |
Molecular mechanisms of the axonal transport, neuronal development and neuronal diseases |
Message |
We are interested in the relationship between nanomechanics in the cell and cellular morphogenesis. We are analyzing how and why disruption of the cellular nanomachines in our body, such as molecular motor proteins and cytoskeletal proteins, leads to human diseases such as neurodegeneration, infertility, and blindness. |
|
shinsuke.niwa.c8[at]tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Advanced Basic Science

Research Fields |
Theoretical astrophysics |
Research Subjects |
Extreme phenomena driven by black holes, Polarized light, Dark matter, Objects in the early universe, Collaborative study with observations and numerical simulations |
Message |
I am a member of the theory team in the Event Horizon Telescope consortium, which captured the first-ever image of a black hole. Every day at FRIS, I am stimulated by chats with colleagues in other research fields. I also have published omnibus books with young researchers from FRIS and DIARE. |
|
toma[at]fris.tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Device and Technology

Research Fields |
Bioelectronics, biomedical engineering, neural interface |
Research Subjects |
Microelectronic fiber based multimodal bio-interface |
Message |
Our group works on the development of the unique microelectronic fibers that are integrated with disparate materials and functions. Such fibers can be used as neural interface to probe brain dynamics across its multimodal signaling mechanisms. In addition, we recently weave such fibers into textile as smart clothes for monitoring multimodal physiological signatures from human body. |
|
yyuanguo[at]fris.tohoku.ac.jp / yuanyuan.guo.a4[at]tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Advanced Basic Science

Research Fields |
Structural biology, Protein Science, Biochemistry |
Research Subjects |
Elucidation of protein quality control mechanism in the endoplasmic reticulum |
Message |
Protein folding coupled with disulfide bond formation, that is oxidative protein folding, proceeds mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Greater than 20 Protein Disulfide Isomerase family members (PDIs) are conserved in the mammalian ER to catalyze this reaction. However, it remains an important open question how PDIs recognize various substrates and guide their proper folding through disulfide bond formation and isomerization. The goal of this study is to understand how protein homeostasis is maintained in the mammalian ER. To this end, I employ multiple approaches including single-molecule observation by high-speed AFM, NMR/SAXS analyses in solution, X-ray crystal structure analysis, and several biochemical assays. Diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases are caused by impairment of the protein quality control systems in cells, and hence this study will provide molecular insights into the mechanism underlying these diseases. |
|
okmasaki [at] tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |
Platform | Advanced Basic Science

Research Fields |
Observational Astronomy, Astrophysics |
Research Subjects |
Active galactic nuclei, Supermassive black holes, multiwavelength astronomy |
Message |
We have revealed a population of supermassive black holes that have been missed until now, by combining multi-wavelength electromagnetic wave observations. I am also working with historians to search for astronomical phenomena recorded in historical documents. For more information, please visit my website. |
|
k.ichikawa [at] astr.tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with "@") |