2026 Call for IBS YSF and Junior CI
1. Introduction
With the vision of “Making discoveries for humanity and society,” the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) was founded in 2011 by the Korean government topromote basic science in Korea. To date, IBS operates 30 Research Centers which have been yielding outstanding results in various research fields.
The IBS started to select Young Scientist Fellow (YSF) in 2016 to play an active role in fostering the next generation of basic science leaders. This program offers young scientists opportunities to conduct independent research with state-of-the-art research infrastructure of the IBS and to grow on the basis of research collaborations with leading researchers.
In 2024, IBS launched a new program called Junior Chief Investigator (Junior CI) to provide a position that ensures research independence and supports challenging and creative research for early-career principal investigators (PIs) who surpass the YSF level.
We hope that the YSF and Junior CI programs serve as a stepping stone for our researchers to mature into leading researchers in basic science.
2. Eligibility
- YSF
– Within seven years of obtaining a Ph.D. (obtained no earlier than 1 January 2018) or under the age of 40 with a Ph.D. (born no earlier than 1 January 1985)
– Ph.D. candidates must be conferred with a Ph.D. degree no later than 30 June 2026. - Junior CI
– The Junior CI program is open to young researchers who are willing to conduct adventurous and creative research independently in the field of basic science. Any researcher who is able to work full time on research affiliated with an IBS Research Center is eligible to apply.
* Current IBS researchers are eligible to apply if they meet the above criteria.
3. Hiring Research Centers
| Field | Center | City | YSF | Junior CI | Fund | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Geometry and Physics | Pohang | O | (YSF/JCI) Up to KRW 180/360 mil./year | ||
| Mathematical and Computational Sciences (Pioneer Research Center) | Discrete Mathematics Group | Daejeon | O | |||
| Biomedical Mathematics Group | Daejeon | O | ||||
| Theoretical physics | Theoretical Physics of the Universe | Particle Theory and Cosmology Group | Daejeon | O | O | |
| Cosmology, Gravity and Astroparticle Physics Group | Daejeon | O | O | |||
| Experimental physics | Van der Waals Quantum Solids | Pohang | O | (YSF/JCI) Up to KRW 300/600 mil./year | ||
| Underground Physics | Daejeon | O | O | |||
| Quantum Nanoscience | Seoul | O | ||||
| Exotic Nuclear Studies* | Daejeon | O | O | |||
| Dark Matter Axion Group | Daejeon | O | ||||
| Chemistry | Nanoparticle Research | Seoul | O | |||
| Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics | Seoul | O | ||||
| Multidimensional Carbon Materials | Ulsan | O | O | |||
| Quantum Conversion Research | Gwangju | O | ||||
| Life sciences | Memory and Glioscience | Cognitive Glioscience Group | Daejeon | O | O | |
| Learning and Memory Group | Daejeon | O | ||||
| Inter- disciplinary | Neuroscience Imaging Research | Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Group | Suwon | O | ||
| Nanomedicine | Seoul | O | O | |||
| Genome Engineering | Daejeon | O | O | |||
| 2D Quantum Heterostructures | Suwon | O | ||||
| Biomolecular and Cellular Structure (Pioneer Research Center) | Biomolecular Sociology Group | Daejeon | O | O | ||
| Earth Science | Climate Physics | Busan | O | O | ||
| Climate and Earth Science (Pioneer Research Center) | Planetary Atmospheres Group | Daejeon | O | |||
Note: The final number of openings may change depending on the circumstances of the IBS.
*Exotic Nuclear Studies: Available to apply for both Experimental physics and Theoretical physics Field
4. Benefits and Conditions
- Full-time work and 100% research participation in principle
– If successful candidates for the YSF and Junior CI are selected for other projects (e.g., Sejong Science Fellowship and Young Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation), their selection may be cancelled. During the research term, participating in other projects funded by sources outside the IBS are not allowed. - Annual fund
– YSF: Annual fund of KRW 180–300 mil. (up to KRW 180 mil. for theoretical fields and up to KRW 300 mil. for experimental fields), including salary of KRW 60–70 mil.
– Junior CI: Annual fund of KRW 360–600 mil. (up to KRW 360 mil. for theoretical fields and up to KRW 600 mil. for experimental fields), including salary of KRW 80–160 mil. - Term
– YSF: Appointment for three years with a possible two-year extension depending on the performance review results
*When current IBS researchers are selected as a YSF of their Center, support will be offered for up to three years.
– Junior CI: 5 years - YSFs and Junior CIs will work at one of the IBS Centers and conduct independent research with research facilities and equipment of their Centers. They may organize small research groups.
– YSFs and Junior CIs should prioritize using the advanced research infrastructure of their Centers in conducting research. Although they may construct research equipment and facilities within their budget, the construction scale and timing may be adjusted through review. - Successful candidates must be appointed and commence their research within 1 July – 16 December 2026.
– If their appointment and research commencement are not completed within 1 July – 16 December 2026, their selection may be cancelled. - When the Center (PRC Group) to which a YSF and Junior CI group belongs is closed, the YSF and Junior CI group will also be closed in principle.
– Please refer to the FAQ for details.
5. Selection Process (The schedule may change depending on the circumstances of IBS.)
- First phase: Letter of intent (approx. three pages) acceptance and evaluation
- 1. Submission deadline: 5 December 2025
- 2. Review of each letter of intent by the director and the selection and evaluation panel concerned
- 3. Invitation to submit full research proposals: January 2026
– Applicants who pass the first phase will be requested to submit an approx. 10-page full research proposal, up to three reference letters and presentation materials.
- Second phase: Full research proposal acceptance and in-depth evaluation by field
- 1. Submission deadline: February 2026
- 2. Review of each full proposal and reference letter by the director concerned
- 3. Interview (on-site presentation) by the selection and evaluation panel concerned: March 2026
– If candidates reside abroad or have difficulty attending on site, the evaluation will be held via video conference.
- Third phase: Comprehensive evaluation and notification of the results
- 1. Comprehensive evaluation by panel chairs
- 2. Final selection and notification of the results: ~ June 2026
6. How to Apply: IBS website by 5 December 2025, 17:59(KST)
- YSF : https://www.ibs.re.kr/ysf/apply
- Junior CI : https://www.ibs.re.kr/juniorci/apply
7. Inquiries
- Research Evaluation Team at ysf@ibs.re.kr, juniorci@ibs.re.kr
- IBS website at https://www.ibs.re.kr/ysf/juniorci