2026-1 Open Call for Applications : IBS Associate Director Position of Center for RNA Research

2026-1 Open Call for Applications : 

IBS Associate Director Position of “Center for RNA Research”

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 Center for RNA Research investigates RNA-mediated gene regulation with the aim of elucidating fundamental principles of RNA biology and developing innovative therapeutic modalities that can advance RNA medicine.
- We are an extramural center of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), located at Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. The Center comprises five core laboratories and three associate laboratories and is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, integrating expertise in molecular and cell biology, chemistry, virology, immunology, bioinformatics, structural biology, and proteomics.
- The Center for RNA Research invites applications from scientific leaders in RNA biology, with particular interest in researchers specializing in RNA immunity.
- For more information, visit http://rna.ibs.re.kr

2. Job description 

- The Associate Director will lead an independent research group supported by IBS funding. In addition, the Associate Director will support the Director (Narry Kim) in Center operations, strategic planning, committee and workshop organization, mentoring of early-career scientists, and program assessment and evaluation.

3. Requirements for the position 

- The candidate must be able to commit themselves entirely in the long term to IBS research activities and engagement in for-profit business is prohibited.
- The candidate must be able to manage his/her respective research groups in collaboration with the Director(s) within the Center.
- We seek candidates who are internationally recognized in RNA research with an outstanding scholarly record, demonstrated experience in leading research groups and programs, and a strong vision for fostering synergistic and collaborative research. Candidates should hold the rank of tenured full professor, associate professor, or an equivalent position at a research institute.
- The candidate’s research program should align well with the ongoing activities of the Center for RNA Research. The ability to work independently while engaging actively and constructively with the Center’s multidisciplinary community is essential. Successful candidates should be eligible to obtain a full or associate professor appointment at Seoul National University.

4. Offer

- Authority to run his/her own research team within the Center for RNA Research.
- Independent research budget sufficient to support a group of 10-15 researchers.

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]
SUNG Mijoo, IBS Center for RNA Research
Email: mjsung@snu.ac.kr

[Evaluation Process]
KOH Hyungjoon, Research Evaluation Team
Email: arhgudwns@ibs.re.kr

* For more information, please visit the IBS website (https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/sub04_09_02.do?partCode=003).