At an altitude of 5,000 m, ALMA is the largest astronomical observing facilities existent. Consist of 66 12‐m and 7‐m antennas, ALMA acts as a single telescope with variable diameters of 150 m to 16 km. ALMA is designed to address some of the most profound questions of our cosmic origins including the origins of life itself.

Are we alone? In this summer, our research projects will be mainly astrobiology oriented – based on our ALMA observations.

Search for prebiotically important complex organic molecules, in particular pyrimidine (嘧啶), in giant molecular clouds. Pyrimidine, the building block of nucleic acid, has been detected in meteorites and is hence a key molecule for astrobiology. Although the formation of prebiotic molecules in extraterrestrial environment and their contribution to the origin of life remains unsettled, the connection between interstellar organic chemistry, meteoritic pyrimidines, and the emergence of life on early Earth would be strengthened with the discovery of interstellar pyrimidine.

We’d like to identify a few talented students who are interested in astrobiology study to learn more about the origins and evolution of life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe. We welcome determined students who are willing to devote their time for research in this summer. Qualified applicants should have a strong interest in scientific research; however, backgrounds in chemistry, life science, and/or biology are not required.