2023-1 Recruitment Announcement for Research Positions at the Planetary Atmospheres Group, Daejeon, South Korea

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 Planetary Atmospheres Group (PAG) invites researchers with high motivation for Venus atmospheric research. The successful applicants will collaborate with Dr. Yeon Joo Lee, the Chief Investigator (CI) of PAG. The work will involve analyzing Venus data and conducting ground-based observations, including data reduction. The ground-based observations will be coordinated with space missions such as JAXA’s Akatsuki, ESA-JAXA’s BepiColombo, and ESA’s EnVision. Experience with analysis of telescope or spacecraft data like images or spectra is desired, and good knowledge of radiative transfer models is preferred. The successful applicants will have opportunities to mentor internship students in PAG. Collaboration with national and international teams will be strongly supported.

Five positions are available.

One Senior Researcher position: Applicants must have research experience in planetary atmospheric science (or equivalent field) for 5 years or more after their Ph.D. The initial duration of the position is two years with possible extension for up to three additional years.

Four Postdoctoral Research Fellow position: Applicants must have obtained a Ph.D. within the 5 years prior to September 1st, 2023, in the field of planetary science, atmospheric sciences, astronomy, physics, or a related field. The initial duration of the position is two years with possible extension for one additional year.

The gross annual salary of Postdoctoral Research Fellow is 60 million KRW and Senior Researcher’s annual salary is negotiable in accordance with career experiences.

The expected starting date of the positions is September 1st, 2023 (negotiable). The one way relocation expenses to move Korea will be supported for those who satisfy specific conditions, such as a doctoral degree from an overseas university and a duration of working at a foreign institute before moving to Korea (contact for the details).

□ Required documents to apply for the positions

• 1. Cover letter (1page)
• 2. CV including a complete list of publications
• 3. Statement of the applicant's research experience and research interest (1-2 pages)
• 4. Consent to collection and use of personal information for the purpose of recruitment (see the attached document)
• 5. Application for the Institute for Basic Science (see the attached document)
• 6. 2 recommendation letters

Applicants must send documents 1-5 to pag@ibs.re.kr by April 21^st, 2023 (18:00 KST) and arrange for their recommendation letters to be sent to pag@ibs.re.kr by April 21^st, 2023 (18:00 KST) by their references directly. Recommendation letters forwarded by the applicant will not be considered. All documents should be sent in PDF format. The title of e-mails should be
“[2023-1 PAG – (Senior or Postdoctoral) – (name of applicant)]”

□ Recruitment Area and Openings

• ※ Submission of application to multiple areas is not acceptable.

□ 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.


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

□ Screening Process

• ※ The interview will be conducted online.

□ Terms of Employment Contract

• 〇 (Senior researcher) will be eligible to renew employment contract once after the initial term and the total employment period is up to five years.
  ※ In case of the Group’s closure during employment, the employment contract will be terminated accordingly.
• 〇 (Postdoctoral research fellow) will be eligible to renew employment contract once after the initial term and the total employment period is up to three years.
  ※ In case of the Group’s closure during employment, the employment contract will be terminated accordingly.

□ 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 PAG, 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 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: pag@ibs.re.kr