Industry-Academia Collaboration and Joint Research
Ohue Laboratory actively promotes industry-academia collaboration to contribute to society and foster student education. Through joint research with private companies, we aim to apply our technologies in real-world settings and contribute to human resource development in the industrial sector through programs such as the Visiting Researcher system. Below is an overview of the types of collaborations and donations we offer. Ohue has extensive experience in joint research with private companies.
Joint and Commissioned Research Programs
Joint research refers to “a system where university faculty and company researchers collaborate on a specific research topic and share the research outcomes.” It is also possible to conduct joint research with local governments, public interest corporations, and NPOs. For more details, please refer to the Science Tokyo Office of Research and Innovation website.
Commissioned research refers to “a system where the university faculty conducts research on a specific topic, with the required research expenses covered by a company.” The research is conducted solely by the university faculty, and the results are reported to the sponsor. For more details, please refer to the Science Tokyo Office of Research and Innovation website.
For those considering joint or commissioned research with Ohue Lab, we can arrange preliminary meetings under a non-disclosure agreement and hold detailed discussions flexibly after concluding an NDA. Please feel free to contact Prof. Ohue directly (➡ info [at] li.comp.isct.ac.jp).
Required costs depend on whether the project is more research-oriented (aiming for publications or patents) or development-oriented (focusing on prototypes or social implementation). Costs also vary depending on technical complexity and whether student support is needed. Expenses include direct costs (equipment, consumables, supercomputer usage, software licenses, RA employment costs, honoraria) and indirect costs (30% of direct costs paid to the university headquarters).
Company researchers may also work at our university labs through the Visiting Researcher from Private Companies program. This requires an additional monthly fee of 71,500 JPY per person, in addition to the research expenses mentioned above.
Examples of Joint Research (Public or Approved for Publication)
- Arivexis Inc. (formerly Modulus Inc.)
Announcement of Joint Research Agreement with Tokyo Institute of Technology (Press Release)
https://alivexis.com/press_release/modulus-discovery-announces-signing-of-collaboration-agreement-with-tokyo-institute-of-technology/ - PeptiDream Inc.
Joint Research Agreement on In Silico Technologies for Peptide Drug Discovery (Press Release)
https://www.titech.ac.jp/news/2016/035981.html - FUJIFILM Corporation
Academic Consultation
This system allows university faculty to provide guidance and advice on specific issues faced by companies using their expertise and technology (distinct from incorporating the issue into their research). Fees for academic consultation are paid based on a contract with the university. For details, please visit the Tokyo Institute of Science Office of Research and Innovation website.
The standard hourly rate is 50,000 JPY (preparation time such as document creation is charged separately). Including indirect costs (30%), the rate becomes 65,000 JPY per hour. Online consultations are also possible. Even if the schedule is undecided, a contract can be established once the approximate number of sessions and duration are agreed upon. Please consult us first.
Examples of Academic Consultation (Public or Approved for Publication)
- Sony Group Corporation
Technical Guidance under the Concurrent Employment System
Advisory roles or training instructors involved in method implementation or R&D support can be conducted outside of regular working hours through the university’s concurrent employment system. This is limited to activities deemed socially meaningful and within a set time frame. Ohue has experience serving as a technical advisor to several private companies. For contracts, a letter of appointment and company brochure are required.
Donations
University laboratories are non-profit entities that aim to return value to society through research and education. Operational funds are often unstable, and donations play a crucial role in sustaining activities.
If you support our lab’s research, education, and student support activities, we ask you to consider contributing through donations (scholarship donations). These funds will be used exclusively for education and research, with outcomes shared for societal benefit.
Scholarship donations are eligible for tax benefits. For details, please refer to the Science Tokyo Office of Research and Innovation website. (Please contact Prof. Ohue in advance.)
