2026-1 Recruitment Announcement for Postdoctoral Research Associate Position at the Center for Quantum Conversion Research

Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a national research institute established in accordance with Article 14 of “the Special Act on Establishment of and Support for International Science and Business Belts”. IBS aims to discover creative knowledge and secure original technologies through world-class basic science research.

The IBS Center for Quantum Conversion Research in Gwanju, Korea invites applications for research fellowship positions. Center for Quantum Conversion Research is located at the GIST in Gwangju, South Korea, a city of 1.4 million people. The Center is dedicated to developing advanced and innovative methodologies for observing and controlling the quantum conversion of matter, which serves as the foundation for energy and chemical conversion. The research places significant emphasis on the investigation of the fundamental energetic processes of matter, particularly at the highest spatiotemporal and energy resolutions, to enable more detailed observation and understanding of these processes. The ultimate goal of the QCR is to control the conversion among various quantum states of materials by manipulating the internal and external environments for creating new material systems with innovative functionalities and superior properties.

□ Recruitment Area and Openings

No	Job Position	Recruitment Area	Required Qualifications	Affiliation (workplace)	No. of Openings
①	Postdoctoral Research Associate	Applied chemistry or surface science related fields	▪ Degree : Doctoral degree (Those who do not exceed 5 years after obtaining doctoral degree, or those who are expected to obtain a doctoral degree within 3 months from the expected appointment start date ▪ Major: Applied chemistry, surface science, or a closely related field.	IBS Center for Quantum Conversion Research (GIST in Gwangju)	1
Total					1

※When the applicants are not competent enough, the IBS may select the final candidates less than the number of openings. Please refer to the job description (attached) for details such as job category, job duties, etc.

※The appointment date is negotiable for successful candidates, however the appointment offer may be withdrawn if successful candidates cannot make it to the starting date by Jun. 16, 2026.

□ Qualifications and Preferences

[Required qualifications]

• Must be in compliance with the requirements for appointments as specified in Article 33 of the State Public Officials Act and IBS statutes.

• If candidates are found to be former public officials dismissed for corruption as set forth in Article 82 of the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment of the Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the job offer will be withdrawn.

• Must have no restrictions traveling overseas. Korean applicants must have completed or be exempted from compulsory military service.

• Must meet the requirements by the end of the application deadline.

[Preferred qualifications]

• Individuals with disabilities as defined in Articles 3 and 4 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Employment Promotion and Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, or individuals eligible for employment assistance as defined in Article 29 of the Act on the Honorable Treatment of and Support for Persons, Etc. of Distinguished Service to the State (additional points will be given during the screening/evaluation process)

- 5 additional points for those who submit the certificate of disabilities

- 5-10 additional points for those who submit the certificate of employment protection for the national war veteran

• Women in science, engineering and technology as defined in Article 2 of the Act on Fostering and Supporting Women Scientists and Technicians

□ Screening Process

Category	Schedule (Expected)	Detail
Step 1 (Document screening)	Feb. 02, 2026 ~ Feb. 03, 2026	∘ Review items: Suitability for the position and for the field of work, Excellence of the applicant’s research achievements, Overall research activities, Proposed research plan, etc. ∘ Eligibility: Applicants who have met the required qualification ∘ Select up to five times the number of candidates than open positions for the next screening step. Select applicants with the highest average scores (minimum average score: 80). ※ The result will be sent by e-mail.
Step 2 (Interview screening)	Feb. 09 ~ Feb. 12, 2026	∘ Review items: Excellence in their field, Attitude and communication skills, Presentation skills and excellence of their research, Development potential and prospect, etc. ∘ Eligibility: Applicants who pass the document screening ∘ Select the final candidates with the highest average scores (minimum average score: 80) within the number of openings ※ Select up to two times the number of candidates than open positions for the waiting list. ※ When the applicants are not competent enough, the IBS may select the final candidates less than the number of openings. ※ The result will be sent by e-mail.
Appoint ment	Mar. 16, 2026	∘ The appointment date is negotiable for successful candidates. ※ However, the appointment offer may be withdrawn if the successful candidates cannot make it until Jun. 16, 2026.

※ The interview can be conducted in video interview according to the research center’s circumstances.

※ The schedule above may be subject to change according to the research center’s circumstances.

※ There can be additional required documents for successful candidates.

※ In case the final successful candidate cannot be appointed due to withdrawal or disqualification, appointments can be made in accordance with the ranking of potential successful candidates. However, the effective period of the potential successful candidate is limited to a maximum of 3 months from the earlier of either the expected appointment date or the appointment date of the original successful candidate.

□ Required Documents

Category	Detail
Step 1 (Document screening)	∘ (Postdoctoral Research Associate) CV, Consent form & Application for IBS(Attached), list of publications, Research statement(1 page), At least 1 letter of recommendation* * References letter must be sent to osrc@ibs.re.kr from the writer and any letters from the applicants will not be accepted. [Optional] Supporting documents for persons with disabilities or eligible for veterans’ benefit (if applicable) ※ The pertaining documents will only be used to confirm the pertaining qualification. Blind hiring process will be implemented.
Step 2 (Interview screening)	※ There can be additional required documents according to the situation at the center

□ Term of Employment Contract

〇 (Postdoctoral Research Associate) Employment can be renewed only once and the total appointed term is up to 3 years.

※ In case of the Center’s closure during employment, the employment contract will be terminated accordingly.

□ Application Submission and Deadline

〇 How to apply: E-mail (osrc@ibs.re.kr)

※ E-mail Title : [2026-1 QCR-Job no.-position name] YYY←Applicant’s name

e.g., [2026-1 QCR-①-Postdoctoral Research Associate] Mike

〇 Open and closing dates: Jan. 14., 2026 ~ Jan. 29., 2026 (Until 18:00 KST)

〇 Please kindly note that if your application misses to submit a part of required documents including recommendation letters by the deadline, your application shall not be accepted.

〇 Required documents
(Postdoctoral Research Associate) CV, Consent form & Application for IBS(Attached), list of publications, Research statement(1 page), At least 1 letter of recommendation*
* References letter must be sent to osrc@ibs.re.kr from the writers and any letters from the applicants will not be accepted.

□ Other Information

〇 The revised guidelines of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (revision on 3 Nov. 2022, implementation on 1 Jan. 2023) have allowed a flexible application of the blind hiring policy to secure excellent researchers, thereby broadening the scope of information to be collected (e.g., academic background, schools, period spent on obtaining degrees, reference letters [including the information of recommenders] and experience). However, personal information that can identify the applicant (e.g., gender and age) is still not collected.

〇 IBS is an Equal Opportunity or Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Any biased information will not be provided to committees at all.

〇 Applicants will be fully responsible for any consequences of making mistakes, missing information or not submitting required documentation in their applications. If any information is found to be incorrect or false, the job offer will be withdrawn.

〇 Submitted documents may be returned when a request is made within three months from the announcement of the final result in accordance with Article 4 of the Enforcement Decree of the Fair Hiring Procedure Act.

〇 If candidates are disqualified due to a background check or a physical examination result, the job offer will be withdrawn.

〇 If candidates are found to be former public officials dismissed for corruption as set forth in Article 82 of the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment of the Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the job offer will be withdrawn.

〇 No applicants may be hired if there are no applicants deemed qualified during the screening process.

〇 If hired, the job category/grade and annual salary will be determined in accordance with IBS rules and regulations.

〇 Inquiries: osrc@ibs.re.kr