2025 Open Call for Applications : IBS Associate Director Position of “Center for Van der Waals Quantum Solids”

The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a government-funded research institute founded in November 2011 to drive the development of basic science in South Korea through large-scale, long-term, and group research. IBS operates Research Centers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, Earth science, and interdisciplinary sciences.

IBS invites applicants for the position of Associate Director who are senior-level researchers with high research potential and are able to run his/her own research group in collaboration with the directors within the Research Center.

1. Introduction of the research center

• - Center for Van der Waals Quantum Solids is one of the newest IBS centers (established in February 2022) on fundamental materials physics, hosted at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) as an IBS Campus Center. The Center sets clear and specific research missions: (1) to create “novel vdW solids”, where their lattices are epitaxially molded in atomic precision by advanced epitaxy, and (2) to explore their potentials into new types of “quantum science platforms”. A whole new avenue of these vdW quantum solids will be explored synergically among the director and associate directors by a one-team spirit.
• - For more information, visit https://www.ibs.re.kr/vdwqs/

2. Job description

- Associate directors will play pivotal roles in assisting the founding director to achieve the goal of the research center as well as directing his or her own research group within the center. The specific field of research solicited for the associate director is the design and syntheses of new van der waals materials and/or related layered compound materials for the new types of quantum science platforms.

- Applicants should have a strong track record of research achievement with the international-level recognition, and leadership ability in his/her research field.

- The candidates must have experience leading large research programs and managing a group in academic or equivalent research institutions and be able to articulate an insightful vision to further the research and outreach programs in IBS.

- The candidates must be able to deliver the impactful research outputs through strong driving forces and leaderships within reasonable timeline.

- The successful candidates should be able to acquire full professor level positions at POSTECH.

3. Requirements for the position

- The candidate must be able to commit themselves entirely in the long term to IBS research activities and engagement in for-profit business is prohibited.

- The candidate must be able to manage his/her respective research groups in collaboration with the Director(s) within the Center.

- The candidate must be fluent enough with the relevant scientific and policy issues to be a highly credible representative of the Center among audiences ranging from the general public to the uppermost levels of scientists and policymakers. The position calls for vision, breadth, and good judgment; proven intellectual leadership skills; a keen sense of public policy, as well as demonstrated financial and staff management experience.

4. Offer

• - Authority to run his/her own research team.
• - Sizable independent research budget (the successful candidate may negotiate with the director of the Center to finalize the size of his/her research budget and how to set up his/her budget account if necessary).
• - Tenured or permanent position.

5. General Selection Procedure

① Recruitment of applicants by open invitation

② Selection of candidates for in-depth evaluation

③ Interview by in-depth evaluation panel

④ Decision by the Selection & Evaluation Committee (SEC) about the recommendation

⑤ Negotiation with Director

⑥ Appointment by IBS President

6. Application Submission

• - Fill out the application form in English and email it as a single PDF file to adapply@ibs.re.kr no later than 12:00PM, 20 March 2025 (KST).
• - E-mail title should include ‘Name of Applicant’ and ‘Name of Research Center’.
  • [Contact Information]
    • [Research Center]
      KIM Yeyoung, Center for Van der Waals Quantum Solids
      Email: yykim@ibs.re.kr
    • [Evaluation Process]
      LEE Juyoung, Research Evaluation Team
      Email: juylee@ibs.re.kr
    • * For more information, please visit the IBS website (www.ibs.re.kr).