The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a Korean government-funded research institute established in November 2011 with the purpose of driving forward the development of basic science in Korea through large-scale, long-term, group research. IBS has so far established 30 Research Centers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, earth science, and interdisciplinary sciences. The selection and establishment of new Centers for year 2019 will be limited to a maximum of two that are HQ-based only. We look forward to receiving many applications from excellent scientists.
◦ A scientist who is capable of conducting large-scale, long-term, group research will be selected as a new director of an HQ Center.
◦ All areas of basic science and interdisciplinary sciences
◦ Requirements
◦ Selection criteria
◦ Candidate search by March 2019: Two means - open recruitment and recruitment by Search Committee (SC)* - will be utilized.
* Committee where scholars from home and abroad participate will be formed by field to search for excellent candidates.
◦ Selection of in-depth evaluation candidates by April 2019
◦ In-depth evaluation by August 2019
◦ Comprehensive evaluation and consultation by Scientific Advisory Board by October 2019
◦ Negotiation and appointment by November 2019
※ Please refer to Attachment 3 for details of director selection procedure.
◦ The proposed budget on the application form will be carefully reviewed during the selection and evaluation procedure for directors. Once the selection is completed, the proposed budget will be adjusted and approved by the IBS Research Review Committee.
◦ Research plan, which is required to be included in the application form, must include details (e.g., research period, list of necessary facilities and equipment, required budget, annual plan) of start-up expenses for large-scale facilities and equipment that should be constructed at an early stage of Center establishment. Start-up expenses will be provided separately after deliberation. The expenses should be stated separately.
※ Whether or not to provide the expenses or the provided amount may change according to the circumstances of IBS.
◦ If a director applicant has plans to recruit co-director(s) or associate director(s) within the proposed research period, relevant plans and required budgets must be specified in the application.
◦ Directors are required to work full time in principle. Their labor costs will be negotiated with IBS President and will become effective upon signing of the contract.
◦ Directors will be given autonomy in organizing their Center, including personnel, research plan, and budget allocation.
◦ Directors are not allowed to apply for other Korean government-funded research projects.
※ Those who are participating in basic research programs by National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) may commence their research as IBS directors after the completion of the (phased) programs.
◦ Center Review will take place every three years except for the first Review, which takes place five years after the Center’s research commencement. Review results will determine whether to provide continued support. If it is decided to close a Center/research group, a one-year grace period will be given.
◦ Fill in the application form (Attachment 1) in English, save it as a combined PDF file (file name: applicant name_Director_submission date), and send it to apply@ibs.re.kr
◦ Submission deadline: Sunday, March 3, 2019 (KST)
※ The submitted application shall be valid for up to two years.
◦ Those who are qualified for in-depth evaluation will be notified by the end of April 2019.
◦ Pioneer Research Center (PRC): PRC is an HQ Center to explore new territories of basic science and will be organized by gradually selecting and appointing CIs.
◦ All areas of basic science and interdisciplinary sciences
◦ Requirements
◦ Selection criteria
◦ Candidate search by March 2019: Two means - open recruitment and recruitment by Search Committee (SC)* - will be utilized.
※ Committee where scholars from home and abroad participate will be formed by field to search for excellent candidates.
◦ Selection of in-depth evaluation candidates by April 2019
◦ In-depth evaluation by August 2019
◦ Comprehensive evaluation and consultation by Scientific Advisory Board by October 2019
◦ Negotiation and appointment by November 2019
※ Please refer to Attachment 3 for details of CI selection procedure.
◦ The proposed budget on the application form will be reviewed during the selection and evaluation procedure for CIs. Once the selection is completed, the proposed budget will be adjusted and approved by the IBS Research Review Committee.
◦ Research plan, which is required to be submitted with the application form, must include details (e.g., research period, list of necessary facilities and equipment, required budget, annual plan) of start-up expenses for large-scale facilities and equipment that should be constructed at an early stage of PRC establishment and CI research group organization. Start-up expenses will be provided separately after deliberation. The expenses should be stated separately.
※ Whether or not to provide the expenses or the provided amount may change according to the circumstances of IBS.
◦ CI is required to work full time in principle. CI’s labor costs will be negotiated with IBS President and will become effective upon signing of the contract.
◦ CIs will be given autonomy in organizing their research group including personnel, research plan, and budget allocation.
◦ CIs are not allowed to apply for other Korean government-funded research projects.
※ Those who are participating in basic research program by National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) may commence their research as IBS CIs after the completion of the (phased) programs.
◦ Review on each CI group will take place every three years except for the first Review, which takes place on the fifth year of the research commencement. Review results will determine whether to provide continued support. If it is decided to close a research group, a maximum of one-year grace period will be given.
◦ Fill in the application form (Attachment 2) in English, save it as a combined PDF file (file name: applicant name_CI_submission date), and send it to apply@ibs.re.kr
◦ Submission deadline: Sunday, March 3, 2019 (KST)
※ The submitted application shall be valid for up to two years.
◦ Those who are qualified for in-depth evaluation will be notified by the end of April 2019.
◦ Selection and evaluation procedure for directors/CIs and application
- JUNG Yu Jin, head of Research Evaluation Team (042-878-8226, jinny619@ibs.re.kr)
◦ Organization and operation of Centers/PRCs/CIs
- Kang, Dong Woo, head of Research Policy & Support Team (042-878-8191, dwkang@ibs.re.kr)