2022 Call for Applications: IBS Directors and Chief Investigators

2022 Call for Applications: IBS Directors and Chief Investigators

 

The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a government-funded research institute founded in November 2011 with the purpose of driving forward the development of basic science in South Korea through large-scale, long-term, group research. IBS is currently operating 30 Research Centers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, Earth science and interdisciplinary sciences. 

In 2022, we are seeking candidates for the Director position of Research Centers (Centers) and the Chief Investigator (CI) position of research groups. We look forward to receiving applications from many excellent scientists.

 

1.     Selection Type

Centers 

• Scientists who are capable of conducting large-scale, long-term, group research will be selected as candidates for the Director position of Centers. Candidates for Centers at IBS Headquarters (HQ) will be given first consideration. 
• Organizational structure of a Center can take many forms including co-directorship model or single directorship with Associate Director(s).

CI Research Groups

• Young researchers who are capable of exploring new territories of basic science will be selected as candidates for the position of CI. CIs will form their own research group at IBS HQ

2.     Research Areas(For more information, see www.ibs.re.kr/eng/2022application)

Centers

• One to three Centers in all areas of basic science and interdisciplinary sciences

* Applications from those in quantum information science, sustainable chemistry, science of global and regional environmental changes and other areas listed in IBS designated research areas will receive priority in review. For more information, see www.ibs.re.kr/eng/designated. The start date of successful candidates may be adjusted depending on budget availability.

Candidates for HQ Centers will be given first consideration, but candidates for Campus Centers may be considered in light of the candidate’s scientific excellence and specialized research areas by Campus**.

* Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST): Life science and chemistry

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH): Physics and materials science

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST): Life science and materials science

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST): Optical science

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST): Biotechnology

* Should the applicant wish to apply for the Director position of a Campus Center, they must be a current or prospective employee of a science and technology research university or government-funded research institution in Daedeok Innopolis and written approval from the university or institution is required.

•  One Center in quantum materials physics and one Center in science of ultra-intense laser and matter interactions

* Areas that can utilize research facilities and equipment of the Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics (https://www.ibs.re.kr/cinap) and the Center for Relativistic Laser Science (https://www.ibs.re.kr/corels).

      Candidates in the above areas will be shortlisted through this open call and by a Search Committee to seek out qualified candidates. 

• One Co-director in the Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research

* For more information about the Center, please visit https://www.ibs.re.kr/cnir.

Co-director candidates for this Center will be shortlisted through this open call and by a Search Committee to seek out qualified candidates. 

CI Research Groups

• Two CI Research Groups in All areas of basic science and interdisciplinary sciences

*Applications from those in the designated research areas will receive priority in review. For more information about the list, see www.ibs.re.kr/eng/designated.

•  One CI research group in the PRC for Biomolecular and Cellular Structure (www.ibs.re.kr/protein)
• One CI research group in a new PRC

 

3.     Qualifications

Director

• Must be capable of conducting large-scale, long-term, group research in basic science
• Must possess the capability that is equivalent to that of a chair/endowed professor at a world-renowned university or a director at a Max Planck Institute in a relevant area of expertise, or have the potential to reach the aforementioned level in the near future
• Must be able to commit to basic science research at IBS for a long term (at least 10 years) and must have demonstrated scientific excellence

CI

• Must demonstrate the capacity to lead their own research group and carry out challenging, creative and independent research in basic science
• Must possess the capability that is equivalent to that of a principal investigator at a world-renowned research institute or have great potential to reach the aforementioned level in the near future

 

4.     Selection Criteria

• The applicant’s scientific excellence and adequacy of research plan will be reviewed by domestic and international scholars based on qualitative assessment.

Scientific excellence: Quality and significance of the applicant’s research achievements, research capabilities and potential, and other relevant aspects

Adequacy of research plan: Adequacy, reasonability and feasibility of the Center/group organization and operation plan, proposed budget and cost allocation, plan to nurture and support early career scientists, and mid- to long-term development plan and visions

 

5.     Selection Procedure       

Please note that the dates are subject to change.

• By Mar. 2022: Accepting applications
• By Apr. 2022: Selection of candidates for in-depth evaluation
• By Sept. 2022: In-depth evaluation
• By Oct. 2022: Comprehensive evaluation and consultation by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)

 

6.     Budget

Centers

• The reasonability of the budget and cost allocation proposed in the application will be carefully reviewed during the selection and evaluation process for Directors. The proposed budget will be finalized after deliberation and approval by the IBS Research Review Committee. 

*The budget amount is subject to change based on availability of institutional budget.

• The research proposal in the application must include a detailed description regarding initial startup requirements: list of required research facilities and equipment, timeline, costs and other relevant information.
• If the applicant has plans to have Co-director(s) or Associate Director(s) within the proposed research period, relevant plans and required budgets must be specified in the application.

CI Research Groups

• The reasonability of the budget and cost allocation proposed in the application will be carefully reviewed during the selection and evaluation process for CIs. The proposed budget will be finalized after deliberation and approval by the IBS Research Review Committee.

The budget amount is subject to change based on availability of institutional budget.

• Each CI group will receive KRW 1 to 1.5 billion annual research funding, including personnel, equipment and other costs for research activities.

A separate consultation will take place for research equipment and facilities that cost more than an individual CI group’s budget.

• The research proposal in the application must include a detailed description regarding initial startup requirements: list of required research facilities and equipment, timeline, costs and other relevant information.

 

7.     Position Details

• Must work full time and salary will be negotiated with the IBS President.
• Have the authority to organize their Center/group, including personnel, detailed research plan and budget allocation. 
• Not allowed to apply for other Korean government-funded research projects. 

*Candidates who are participating in projects awarded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Basic Science Research Programs may commence their research at IBS only after closeout or completion of the projects.

• The Center/group will undergo a consultation-based interim review after two years from the start date and additional reviews follow every three years thereafter.

 

8.     Application Submission

Director

• Apply via homepage(https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/2022application)
• Fill in the application form in English, save it as a PDF file with the title ‘applicant name_Director_submission date’ and send it to apply@ibs.re.kr.
• Submission deadline: Monday 7 March 2022 noon (12:00) KST
• Applicants who qualify for in-depth evaluation will be notified in May 2022.

CI

• Apply via homepage(https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/2022application)
• Fill in the application form in English, save it as a PDF file with the title ‘applicant name_CI_submission date’ and send it to apply@ibs.re.kr.
• Submission deadline: Monday 7 March 2022 noon (12:00) KST
• Applicants who qualify for in-depth evaluation will be notified in May 2022.

 

9.     Inquiries

• Dr. JEONG Naeyang, Head of the Research Evaluation Team at +82-42-878-8190 or nyjeong@ibs.re.kr