2026-1 Recruitment Announcement for Postdoctoral Research Associate Positions at the Center for Geometry and Physics

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 Center for Geometry and Physics at the Institute for Basic Science invites researchers to join the project “M-brane Network and Quantum Integrability”, led by IBS Junior Chief Investigator Saebyeok Jeong.

The project seeks to explore the mathematical structures underlying quantum field theory and string theory, including quantum integrability, vertex algebras, the geometry of moduli spaces, and enumerative invariants.  We invite creative and highly motivated researchers who wish to pursue research in these areas or in related topics at the intersection of mathematics and theoretical physics. Detailed research objectives and directions can be found on the webpage (https://www.ibs.re.kr/cgp/).

□ Recruitment Details

Job Category	Recruitment Area	Required Qualifications	Workplace	No. of Openings
Postdoctoral research associate	Quantum Field Theory, String Theory	▪ (Degree) Ph.D. degree in the related field(obtained within recent 5 years or to be obtained within 3 months from the expected start date(August 1, 2026))	Center for Geometry and Physics (POHANG, POSTECH)	1
Total				1
※ No applicants may be hired if there are no applicants deemed qualified during the screening process. Please refer to the job description (attached) for details such as job category, job duties, and preferences, etc.

□ 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of Corruption and the Establishment of the Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the job offer will be withdrawn.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. Male 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

※ If there is an overlap in additional points, only the highest score will be awarded.

▪ 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) YY.MM.DD(KST)	Content / Required Documents
Application Submission	‘26.01.16.(Fri) ~‘26.02.13.(Fri)	▪ (How to apply) Online application through the website - URL: https://ibs.re.kr/prog/recruit/eng/sub04_01/list.do
Stage 1 (Document Screening)	‘26.02.27.(Fri)	▪ (Review Criteria) Suitability for the field of employment, excellence in research achievements, job competence, potential for development and latent capability, etc. ▪ (Screening Method) Select applicants with the highest average scores (minimum average score: 80). Select up to five times the number of candidates than opened positions for the next screening step. ※ The result will be sent by e-mail.
Stage 2 (Interview screening)	‘26.03.11.(Wed)	▪ (Review Criteria) Expertise in the field of employment, presentation skills and attitude, problem-solving ability, potential for development and latent capability, etc. ▪ (Screening Method) 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. ※ The result will be sent by e-mail.
Appointment	‘26.08.01.(Sat)	▪ The appointment date is negotiable for successful candidates. ※ The appointment offer may be withdrawn if successful candidates cannot make it to the starting date by November 1, 2026. ※ Those expected to obtain a Ph.D until October 31, 2026 are ONLY eligible to apply.

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

※ A preliminary successful candidate may be determined within the range of two times the number of persons to be hired, and the effect of the preliminary successful candidate shall be limited to three months from the earliest of the scheduled appointment date or the final successful candidate's appointment date.

※ During the validity period of the preliminary successful candidate, ① if the reason for the renunciation of employment or disqualification of the final successful candidate occurs, and ② if recruitment is necessary due to the withdrawal of the appointed employee, the appointment may be made according to the preliminary acceptance order.

□ Required Documents

구 분	제출서류
Stage 1 (Document Screening)	[Required] 1. Cover letter - Free format, as PDF file 2. Research Statement - Free format, as PDF file 3. List of Publications - Free format, as PDF file 4. At least 3 recommendation Letters - Recommendations must be submitted directly by the recommender through the link provided based on the information entered during the online application process. Applicants are responsible for confirming with their recommenders that the recommendation request email has been received and should follow up as needed 5. Application for the IBS and Consent to Collection and Use of Personal Information - Attached format, as PDF file ※ Blind hiring process will be implemented, and personal information related to bias factors will not be provided to the committee.
	[Optional] Supporting documents for persons with disabilities or eligible for employment assistance(if applicable) ※ The pertaining documents will only be used to confirm the pertaining qualification. Blind hiring process will be implemented. ※ There can be additional required documents such as the graduation certificate of the highest academic degree or diploma, etc., according to the IBS employment regulations.
Stage 2 (Interview screening)	※ There can be additional required documents such as the graduation certificate of the highest academic degree or diploma, etc., according to the IBS employment regulations.

□ Term of Employment Contract

Category	Details
Workplace	▪ Center for Geometry and Physics, IBS (POSTECH, Pohang, South Korea)
Contract Terms	▪ (Postdoctoral research associate) will be eligible to renew employment contract once after the initial term and the total employment period is up to three years. For a contract renew, a research performance evaluation will be conducted and its evaluation score should be required more than 70 ※ In case of the Center’s closure during employment, the employment contract will be terminated accordingly.
Salary	▪ According to IBS internal rules (pay-band) ▪ Starting salary is no less than KRW 63,000,000
Expected Appointment Date	▪ August 1, 2026 (Sat) ※ 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 November 1, 2026. ※ Those expected to obtain a Ph.D until October 31, 2026 are ONLY eligible to apply.

□ Application Submission and Period

〇 How to apply: Online application through the website

- URL: https://ibs.re.kr/prog/recruit/eng/sub04_01/list.do

〇 Submission Documents(Upload in PDF file format)

- 1) Cover letter 2) Research Statement 3) List of Publications 4) At least 3 recommendation Letters 5) Application for the IBS and Consent to Collection and Use of Personal Information (attached)

〇 Period: January 16, 2026(Fri) ~ February 13, 2026(Fri), (Until KST 18:00)

□ 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 referees’ information] and experience). However, personal information that can identify the applicant (e.g., gender and age) is still not collected.

〇 The blind hiring process is implemented to ensure that personal information related to bias factors is not provided to the evaluation committee.

〇 Applicants take full responsibility for any consequences resulting from omissions and errors found in submitted documents, not submitting required documents, etc. If any information is proven false, the job offer will be withdrawn.

〇 The submitted documents may be returned when a request for return is made within three months from the announcement of recruitment results under 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 selected candidates are public officials dismissed for corruption under 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 candidates may be hired if all candidates are found unsuitable during the screening process.

〇 If hired, the job category (work level), annual salary, etc. will comply with IBS standards.

〇 Inquiries: Responsible staff at the IBS Center for Geometry and Physics (E-mail : cgp@ibs.re.kr)