Research Positions ×8, Van der Waals Quantum Solids — Institute for Basic Science (Pohang)

The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Van der Waals Quantum Solids, on the POSTECH campus in Pohang, is recruiting 8 researchers across six areas. Applications go directly to IBS through their own recruitment site; Waegook is only sharing the notice.

■ Employer
Institute for Basic Science (IBS) — Center for Van der Waals Quantum Solids
Workplace: POSTECH campus, Pohang, Gyeongbuk
Centre website: https://www.ibs.re.kr/vdwqs/

The centre sits at POSTECH alongside the Pohang Synchrotron Radiation Facility (PAL) and the Pohang X-ray free electron laser (PAL-XFEL). They are looking for candidates with a background in materials science and engineering, condensed matter physics, chemistry or electrical engineering.

■ The 8 openings — you may apply to ONE area only
1) Research staff / Senior Researcher — 2 openings
Epitaxial synthesis and control of 2D van der Waals heterojunctions; low-temperature electron transport and quantum transport device physics; nanoscale metrology using transmission electron microscopy; optical characterisation of 2D van der Waals crystals.
Degree: PhD in a related field, to be obtained before the expected start date of 1 October 2026.
2) Postdoctoral research associate — 2 openings
Degree: PhD in a related field, obtained within the last 5 years or to be obtained within 3 months of the expected start date of 1 October 2026.
3) Research Engineers — 1 opening
Maintenance, repair and management of the equipment and facilities used to synthesise and characterise quantum materials.
Degree: bachelor's or higher in a related field, before 1 October 2026.
4) Postdoctoral research associate — 1 opening
Single-crystal growth of quantum materials.
5) Postdoctoral research associate — 1 opening
Design and synthesis of novel quantum materials.
6) Postdoctoral research associate — 1 opening
First-principles calculations of the electronic structure and properties of quantum materials.

■ Required qualifications
- Must meet the appointment requirements in Article 33 of the State Public Officials Act and IBS statutes
- No restrictions on overseas travel. Male applicants must have completed or been exempted from compulsory military service.
- All requirements must be met by the application deadline

■ Preferred
- Applicants registered as persons with disabilities, or eligible for employment assistance for persons of distinguished service to the state (5 additional screening points for a disability certificate, 5 or 10 for employment protection as a national war veteran; where these overlap only the highest is awarded)
- Women in science, engineering and technology

■ Deadline
27 July 2026, 18:00 Korea time. The announcement opened on 10 July 2026.

■ Documents to submit (PDF, uploaded online)
Research staff and postdoctoral research associates:
1) Research statement — free format
2) List of publications — free format
3) IBS application form and consent to collection and use of personal information — attached to the original notice

Research Engineers:
1) CV
2) IBS application form and consent to collection and use of personal information

■ How to apply
Apply online through the IBS recruitment site: https://ibs.re.kr/prog/recruit/eng/sub04_01/list.do
Full notice, with the job description and application form attached: https://www.ibs.re.kr/prog/recruit/eng/sub04_01/view.do?idx=2142

■ Selection schedule (expected)
- Applications: 10 July to 27 July 2026
- Stage 1, document screening: 4 August 2026. Minimum average score 80. Up to seven times the openings advance for research staff and engineers, five times for postdoctoral associates.
- Stage 2, interview: 13 August 2026. Minimum average score 80.
- Appointment: 1 October 2026, negotiable — but the offer may be withdrawn if you cannot start by 1 January 2027.
Results are sent by e-mail at each stage. The schedule may change at the centre's discretion.

■ Contract terms
- Senior Researcher: renewable once after the initial term, up to five years in total
- Postdoctoral research associate: renewable once after the initial term, up to three years in total. Renewal requires a research performance evaluation score above 70.
- Research Engineers: an initial two-year contract, renewable in two-year increments after a performance evaluation, until the centre closes.
The exact position and title are set on appointment according to IBS standards, taking the candidate's degree and experience into account. If the centre closes during employment, the contract ends accordingly.

■ Pay
Set by IBS internal rules (pay-band) — no figure is published.

■ Blind hiring
IBS runs a blind hiring process — personal details that could bias the committee are withheld from it. Academic background, schools, time taken to obtain degrees, reference letters and experience are collected, but identifying details such as gender and age are not.

■ Contact
[email protected]