2025-3 Recruitment Announcement for Senior Researcher Positions at the CTPU-CGA

(Cosmology, Gravity, and Astroparticle physics)

The Center for Theoretical Physics of the Universe, Cosmology, Gravity, and Astroparticle Physics Group (CTPU-CGA) at Institute for Basic Science (http://www.ibs.re.kr/ctpu-cga), South Korea, invites applications for senior researcher positions in Theoretical Cosmology, Gravity and Astro(particle) physics, which can start before December 16^th, 2026 as long as all requirements are met at the point of starting time.* The position can preferably begin from October 1st, 2026 though earlier appointment is negotiable. Any field and/or topic is welcome as long as it is related to cosmology, gravity, and (astro)particle physics. For example, observational cosmology, dark matter, neutrino physics, quantum information, and so on are also welcome in addition to standard theoretical cosmology, gravity, and particle physics.

We recently initiated a new center called CTPU-CGA in CTPU led by the director, Masahide Yamaguchi, from March 2023. We will jointly organize the CTPU with another center CTPU-PTC led by the director, Kiwoon Choi, but the budget, organization, and recruitment are completely independent. The official language at the center is English. Research interests of our group cover broad areas of theoretical cosmology, gravity, astroparticle physics, and related areas.

Applications should include CV(see the detailed requirement), publication list, research statement, Consent to Collection and Use of Personal Information / Application for IBS (download on IBS job Board), and at least three letters of recommendation. For full consideration, application materials including the letters should be submitted by December 14th, 2025, through Academic Jobs Online.

Dr. Yusuke Yamada has recently joined our group under the Young Scientist Fellow (YSF) program. Accordingly, we are also recruiting a researcher affiliated with YSF. If your research topic is close to that of Dr. Yusuke Yamada, you may be considered for a position affiliated with YSF. Status and all other working conditions are essentially the same.

You can download Consent form & Application for the Institute for IBS file and find out more information from the below link

IBS job Board: https://ibs.re.kr/prog/recruit/eng/sub04_01/list.do

• * Up to 3 months deferral is negotiable, but doctoral degree must be obtained before December 16th, 2026, even in that case.
• ** Though the official title is “Senior” Researcher, it’s just an official one. This recruitment is effectively for postdoctoral researchers including fresh ones.
• ** The term can be extended once, and the additional term is 1 year. A researcher with an exceptionally good performance might get a longer additional term. (The additional term cannot exceed 3 years)

□ Recruitment Overview

○ (Recruitment Type) Limited Competitive Recruitment

○ (Field and Number of Positions)

Recruitment Overview

No.	Job Position	Recruitment Area	Required Qualifications	Affiliation (workplace)	No. of Openings
①	Senior Researcher (Director project)	Theoretical cosmology, gravity, astroparticle physics, and related areas	Degree: Doctoral degree (must be obtained by December 16th, 2026 and a certificate must be submitted before actual appointment date) Major: Physics	CTPU-CGA (Daejeon, HQ)	5
②	Senior Researcher (YSf project)	Theoretical cosmology, gravity, astroparticle physics, and related areas	Degree: Doctoral degree (must be obtained by December 16th, 2026 and a certificate must be submitted before actual appointment date) Major: Physics	CTPU-CGA (Daejeon, HQ)	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.

※ 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 March 16^th, 2027.

○ Research Position Job Description

• - (Senior Researcher) Research-oriented personnel with a Ph.D., Initial employment may be renewed only once. The total length of the contract cannot exceed 5 years.
  ※ Note: In case of the Center’s closure during employment, the employment contract will be terminated accordingly.

□ Qualifications

• [General 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.
• ● Those who completed mandatory military service or exempt from such service, and permitted to travel abroad.
  ※ 전문연구요원 종사를 희망하는 경우에는 지원 의사와 병역 관계를 온라인 지원 시 cover letter 등에 표시하여 제출 필요. 다만 현역입영대상자의 전문연구요원 신규 편입은 불가하며, 보충역 대상자 및 타 기관에서 전직해서 오는 경우에 한하여 지원 가능
• [Preferences]
• ● 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
• ● Women in science, engineering and technology as defined in Article 2 of the Act on Fostering and Supporting Women Scientists and Technicians
  ※ Apply the highest additional points across all preferences.
• ● A person who meets the eligibility for application as of the deadline for the application form

□ Screening Process

Screening Process

Category	Date (Plan)	Detail
Application	November 3 ~ December 14, 2025	(Application Method) Submit through Academic Jobs Online (Required Documents) CV, List of research achievements, research plan, at least three recommendation letters*, consent form for collection and use of personal information, and application confirmation form (can be downloaded on the IBS job board: link)
Document Screening	December 22 ~ December 26, 2025	(Evaluation criteria) Suitability for the position and for the field of work, excellence of the applicant’s research achievements, overall research activities, proposed research plan, etc. Approximately 7 times the number of applicants than the number of vacancies will be selected for the interview in order of the highest scores with the minimum average score of 80.
Interview	January 5 ~ January 9, 2026	(Evaluation criteria) Excellence in their field, Attitude and communication skills, Presentation skills and excellence of their research, Development potential and prospect, etc. Final candidates will be selected in order of the highest scores with the minimum average score of 80.
Expected Appointment Date	**March 16th, 2027	● If you are unable to start by December 16th, 2026, the appointment may be canceled. ● Applicants who are scheduled to obtain their doctoral degree after December 16th, 2026 are not eligible to apply. ● Earlier employment may be possible if the applicant meets the required qualifications. (Applicants who are expected to obtain their degree within three months from the actual appointment date.)

• ※ The schedule may change according to the situation at IBS
• ※ Reserve candidates may be selected within twice the number of positions available, and their eligibility will be valid for up to three months from the earlier of the scheduled appointment date or the final candidate’s start date.※ During the validity period of reserve candidates, appointment may be offered in the order of reserve ranking in the following cases:
  • 1. If the final candidate declines the offer or is disqualified from appointment,
  • 2. If a vacancy arises due to the early resignation of an appointed employee.

□ Application Submission and Deadline

• 〇 How to apply: Submit the documents through Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31046)
  • 1. CV : the following information removed: Name, Email, Website, Photo, Phone Number, Degree, and Work Experience Years.
  • 2. Publication list : the candidate's personal information and the authors' names removed.
  • 3. Research statement : the candidate's personal information removed.
  • 4. Consent form & Application for IBS (download on IBS job Board)
  • 5. at least three letters of recommendation
  • 6. Two positions have been opened, but as mentioned above, depending on the alignment of your research area, you will be considered either for the YSF position or the CTPU–CGA Senior Researcher position. Therefore, there is no need to apply separately for both positions.
    * Failure to submit any of documents mentioned above will result in an incomplete application.
    • - Deadline for application submission: December 14, 2025 (23:59) KST

□ Notes

• 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. 2024) 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 CTPU-CGA, 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 Workplace: CTPU-CGA, IBS HQ, Daejeon
• 〇 Inquiries: Recruiting Manager of CTPU-CGA
  (Tel: +82 42-878-8401, E-mail: ctpucga_recruit@ibs.re.kr)