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

• The IBS Center for Climate Physics (ICCP) is a leading climate research center in Asia. It focuses on understanding natural climate variability, human-caused climate change, and their impacts using high-performance computing, advanced statistics, theoretical methods and observational analysis. Located at Pusan National University, South Korea, ICCP develops and improves Earth system models to predict changes in sea level, ice sheets, the hydrological cycle, extreme events, regional climate patterns, and ecosystems, providing crucial scientific knowledge for policy and adaptation efforts.
  • - For more information, visit http://ibsclimate.org.

2. Job description

• - The Associate director will serve important 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 Climate and Health.
• - Applicants should have a strong record of scholarly achievement in climate dynamics at the national and international level, a high number of recent first-author publications in SCI journals, experience in modeling vector-borne diseases, a commitment to interdisciplinary research, and evidence of leadership ability in his/her research field.
• - Candidates must have experience managing a research group within an academic institution (or equivalent agency responsible for research) and be able to articulate a strong vision to advance the research and outreach programs of the IBS Center for Climate Physics.
• - The successful candidates should be able to acquire full professor-level positions at Pusan National University.

3. Requirements for the position

• - The successful candidate must be able to commit him/herself entirely to IBS research activities and engagement in for-profit business is prohibited.
• - The selected applicant must be able to manage his/her own research group in collaboration with the Founding Director.
• - The successful applicant must have a clear scientific vision, breadth, and proven intellectual leadership skills, demonstrated group management experience, strong communication skills and enthusiasm to participate in the outreach program of the center.

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 14:00PM 27 February, 2026(KST).
• - E-mail title should include ‘Name of Applicant’ and ‘Name of Research Center’.
  • [Contact Information]
    • [Research Center]
      CHOI Jenny, Center for Climate Physics
      Email: hahadaye@pusan.ac.kr
    • [Evaluation Process]
      KOH Hyungjoon, Research Evaluation Team
      Email: arhgudwns@ibs.re.kr
    • * For more information, please visit the IBS website (www.ibs.re.kr).

[Attachment1] Application Form for IBS Associate Director Position(2026) docx Download

[Attachment2] FAQ Associate Directorship(2026) pdf Download