To help you choose a laboratory, here is how we spend our days in the Shirai Research Group and what Prof. Shirai values.

Lab events (participation is optional)Conference presentationsTheses　*Birthday and farewell parties are held as occasions arise.

The Shirai Research Group has no core hours. We want university students to think and decide for themselves, and materials research does not always proceed on a human schedule. That said, as a guide, we recommend focusing on experiments and study on weekdays from about 9:30 to 18:00. Some periods, such as before conferences, can be busy, but please plan ahead and work at your own pace so that you are not rushing before thesis deadlines. Please also take care of your health and a balanced life.

Seminars are held two or three days a week. Usually one member presents per day, so each member reports their research progress about once a month (the number of seminar days depends on the number of students that year). Presentations are in English in principle, about 20 minutes long, and about one hour including discussion. We value students as well as faculty asking each other questions. When the discussion gets lively, it sometimes runs over time.

Why we hold the seminar in English

• To create opportunities to speak English: English is indispensable in an increasingly international society, yet students living in Japan have very few chances to speak it. We want to create those chances within the lab.
• So that everyone can join the discussion: Some of our students and staff are still learning Japanese.
• To learn to explain what truly matters, simply: For those of us who are not fluent in English, Prof. Shirai included, presenting and answering questions in English leaves no room for unnecessary words; you can only explain what is essential. In one's native language, explanations tend to pick up excuses and unneeded detail. We see the seminar as a chance to develop a skill every researcher and engineer needs: explaining the real purpose, results and problems logically, simply and accurately.
• As practice for studying abroad and international conferences: We encourage students to study abroad and present at international conferences during their studies, and the seminar is good practice for both.

As a rule, students are welcome to consult Prof. Shirai directly whenever they need advice about their research or lab life. However, he may be away on business trips, and some students may feel hesitant to ask. So members are divided into two groups by research theme and meet every two weeks. Besides checking progress, such as whether advice from the seminar is reflected in experiments, these meetings are a place to casually share small everyday problems, for example:

• “I want to evaluate ○○ but don't know which instrument to use.”
• “I don't know how to use an instrument.”
• “We need to purchase an item or instrument for experiments.”

Another important purpose of these meetings is good communication among students and between students and staff, so that everyone shares the same awareness of issues.

We encourage conference presentations, especially at international conferences, and the submission of papers. Outside the lab, you present to people hearing about your research for the first time and to experts in the field. This develops your ability to explain clearly and answer questions, and is a valuable experience for planning your future research. International conferences also offer opportunities to build connections with researchers abroad, not just to improve your English. The lab covers the costs of attending conferences, and faculty help create opportunities to present according to your results.

The lab trip is usually held in August or September. The organizing students present the places they want to go and the activities they want to do, and the destination is decided by vote. Since participants pay their own costs, it is important to plan a trip, including accommodation and transport, that everyone can comfortably afford. Organizing is hard work, but it develops skills that are useful in any career, such as research, coordination and leadership, and the organizers get to propose the destination. We also celebrate milestones together with welcome and farewell parties, pep rallies before graduate entrance exams, and birthday parties.

Participation in events is optional, and not participating will never be held against anyone. Prof. Shirai himself does not drink, and no one is ever pressured to drink alcohol.

Students who earn a master's or doctoral degree receive a “quality certificate” from Prof. Shirai, together with a message board from all lab members. This is a tradition Prof. Shirai inherited as a student in the laboratory of Prof. Kozo Ishizaki at Nagaoka University of Technology. Having his “quality” certified by Prof. Ishizaki, who was known for his strict mentoring, gave Prof. Shirai great confidence. The certificate is presented at the graduation party as proof that the faculty take responsibility for recognizing the skills and growth each student gained in the lab, and send them off confident that they can work with pride in society.