Employer
Daejeon, South Korea
Description
2026 Call for Applications:
IBS Directors and Chief Investigators
The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a government-funded research institute founded in November 2011 with the purpose of driving forward the development of basic science in South Korea through large-scale, long-term, group research. IBS is currently operating Research Centers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, Earth science and interdisciplinary sciences.
In 2026 we are seeking candidates for Director positions of Research Centers (Centers) and the Chief Investigator (CI) positions of research groups. We look forward to receiving applications from many excellent scientists.
2 January 2026
KIM Yeongduk, Acting President of IBS
1. Selection Type
○ Director
Scientists who are capable of conducting large-scale, long-term, group research will be selected as candidates for the Director position of Centers.
Organizational structure of a Center can take many forms including co-directorship model or single directorship with Associate Director(s).
○ CI
Young researchers who are capable of exploring new territories of basic science will be selected as candidates for the position of CI. CIs will form their own research group at IBS HQ.
2. Research Areas
○ New Center Director
Centers in all areas of basic science and interdisciplinary sciences, giving priority to the field of IBS Research Areas including Quantum information basic science (Theory/Experiment), Aging biology and Neutrino physics.
Candidates for HQ Centers will be given first consideration but candidates can also apply for Campus Centers and Extramural (University) Centers.
* Should the applicant wish to apply for the Director position of a Campus or Extramural (University) Center, they must be a current or prospective employee of the host university or institution and written approval is required.
○ Succeeding Center Director
Center for Underground Physics (HQ) and Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (UNIST Campus).
○ CI Research Group
CI Research Groups in all areas of basic science and interdisciplinary sciences, giving priority to the field of IBS Research Areas including Nonlinear Analysis, Biomolecular design, Aging biology and Climatic geology.
CI Research Groups are operated within a Pioneer Research Center (PRC*) with around 5 CIs or as an individual CI group within the Institutes** of IBS HQ.
* PRC for Mathematical and Computational Sciences, PRC for Biomolecular and Cellular Structure, and PRC for Climate and Earth Science.
** Particle and Nuclear Physics Institute, Life Science Institute, and Quantum Information Science Institute.
Each CI can operate an independent research group with an annual research funding of 1-1.5 billion KRW.
3. Qualifications
○ Director
Must be capable of conducting large-scale, long-term, group research in basic science
Must possess the capability that is equivalent to that of a chair/endowed professor at a world-renowned university or a director at a Max Planck Institute in a relevant area of expertise, or have the potential to reach the aforementioned level in the near future
Must be able to commit to basic science research at IBS for a long term and must have demonstrated scientific excellence
○ CI
Early career researchers that can demonstrate the capacity to lead their own research group and carry out challenging, creative and independent research in basic science
Early career researchers who possess the capability that is equivalent to that of a principal investigator at a world-renowned research institute or have great potential to reach the aforementioned level in the near future
4. Selection Criteria
○ The applicant’s scientific excellence and adequacy of research plan will be reviewed by domestic and international scholars based on qualitative assessment.
Scientific excellence: Quality and significance of the applicant’s research achievements, research capabilities and potential, and other relevant aspects
Adequacy of research plan: Adequacy, reasonability and feasibility of the Center/group organization and operation plan, proposed budget and cost allocation, plan to nurture and support early career scientists, and mid- to long-term development plan and visions
5. Selection Procedure
○ By Feb. 4, 2026: Accepting applications
○ By April 2026: Selection of candidates for in-depth evaluation
○ By Sept. 2026: In-depth evaluation
○ By Nov. 2026: Comprehensive evaluation and consultation by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
○ From Dec. 2026: Negotiation and Appointment
* Please note that the dates are subject to change.
6. Budget
○ Centers
The reasonability of the budget and cost allocation proposed in the application will be carefully reviewed during the selection and evaluation process for Directors. The proposed budget will be finalized after deliberation and approval by the IBS Research Review Committee.
The budget amount and appointment date are subject to change based on availability of institutional budget.
The research proposal in the application must include a detailed description regarding initial startup requirements: list of required research facilities and equipment, timeline, costs and other relevant information.
If the applicant has plans to have Co-director(s) or Associate Director(s) within the proposed research period, relevant plans and required budgets must be specified in the application.
○ CI Research Groups
The reasonability of the budget and cost allocation proposed in the application will be carefully reviewed during the selection and evaluation process for CIs. The proposed budget will be finalized after deliberation and approval by the IBS Research Review Committee.
The budget amount and appointment date are subject to change based on availability of institutional budget.
Each CI group will receive 1 to 1.5 billion KRW annual research funding, including personnel, equipment and other costs for research activities.
A separate consultation will take place for research equipment and facilities that cost more than an individual CI group’s budget.
The research proposal in the application must include a detailed description regarding initial startup requirements: list of required research facilities and equipment, timeline, costs and other relevant information.
7. Position Details
○ Must work full time and salary will be negotiated with the IBS President.
○ Should be dedicated to the research of the Center and CI Group.
- Engagement in for-profit business is prohibited.
○ Have the authority to organize their Center/group, including personnel, detailed research plan and budget allocation.
○ The Center/group will undergo a consultation-based interim review after two years from the start date and additional reviews follow every three years thereafter.
8. Application Submission
○ Director
Fill in the application form([Attachment 1]) in English, save it as a PDF file with the title “applicant name_Director_submission date” and send it to [email protected].
Submission deadline: Wednesday, 4 February 2026 noon (12:00) KST
Applicants who qualify for in-depth evaluation will be notified by May 2026.
○ CI
Fill in the application form([Attachment 2]) in English, save it as a PDF file with the title “applicant name_CI_submission date” and send it to [email protected].
Submission deadline: Wednesday, 4 February 2026 noon (12:00) KST
Applicants who qualify for in-depth evaluation will be notified by May 2026.
9. Inquiries
○ PARK Gi Hoon, Head of the Research Evaluation Team at +82-42-878-8143 or [email protected]
Attachments
1. Application Form for Director
2. Application Form for CI
3. IBS Research Areas
4. FAQ: Selection, Organization and Operation of Research Centers and CI Research Groups
5. List of IBS Research Centers (as of 1 January 2026)
How to apply
Application webpage: https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/sub04_02.do
Application deadline: Wednesday, 04 February 2026 (in 0 minutes).
Please mention Life Science Network when applying
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