2026-1 Recruitment Announcement for Research Positions at the Extremal Combinatorics and Probability Group

Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a national research institute established in accordance with Article 14 of “the Special Act on Establishment of and Support for International Science and Business Belts.” IBS aims to discover creative knowledge and secure original technologies through world-class basic science research.

The IBS Extremal Combinatorics and Probability Group (ECOPRO) in Daejeon, South Korea invites applications for four research positions (Senior Researcher positions).

ECOPRO is a research group that was established on April 1, 2022 at IBS, led by Prof. Hong LIU. We welcome highly motivated researchers with outstanding research potential in all fields of Combinatorics with emphasis on Extremal and Probabilistic Combinatorics, Graph Theory, Ramsey Theory, Combinatorial Number Theory and Discrete Geometry.

◾ Website : https://www.ibs.re.kr/ecopro/

◾ Related group : Discrete Mathematics Group (DIMAG, https://dimag.ibs.re.kr), led by its Chief Investigator (CI) Sang-il Oum

◾ Starting salary is no less than KRW 61,000,000. This is a purely research position and will have no teaching duties.

◾ The expected appointment date is March 1, 2027, and it can be adjusted to earlier or later, though no later than June 1, 2027.

◾ Deadline for the application is June 10, 2026 until 16:00 KST

◾ Inquiries about the recruitment process can be sent to ecopro@ibs.re.kr

□ Recruitment Area and Openings

Job Category	Recruitment Area	Required Qualifications	Affiliation (workplace)	No. of Openings
Senior Researcher	Extremal and Probabilistic Combinatorics, Discrete Geometry	▪ (Degree) : Doctoral degree as of the expected appointment date (March 1, 2027) ▪ (Major) : Mathematics or other related fields	Extremal Combinatorics and Probability Group (HQ, Daejeon)	4
Total				4

※ The final number of appointees may change according to the screening results and please refer to the job description for more detailed information on the work duties/responsibilities and qualifications.

□ Qualifications and Preferences

[Required 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.

▪ Must have no restrictions traveling overseas. Male applicants must have completed or be exempted from compulsory military service.

※ 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

▪ Must meet the requirements by the end of the application deadline.

[Preferred qualifications]

▪ 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

※ If there is an overlap in additional points, only the highest score will be awarded.

▪ Women in science, engineering and technology as defined in Article 2 of the Act on Fostering and Supporting Women Scientists and Technicians

□ Screening process

Category	Schedule (Expected)	Detail
Step 1 (Document Screening)	Jun. 24, 2026	∘ Review items: Relevance to the recruitment area, expertise in research achievement, work capability, development potential, etc. ∘ Eligibility: Applicants who have met the required qualification ∘ Select up to seven times the number of candidates than open positions for the next screening step. Select applicants with the highest average scores (minimum average score: 80).
Step 2 (Interview Screening)	Jun. 30, 2026	∘ Review items: Expertise in the recruitment area, presentation skill, attitude, problem solving skills, development potential, fluency in foreign languages (English), etc. ∘ Eligibility: Applicants who pass the document screening ∘ Select the final candidates with the highest average scores (minimum average score: 80) within the number of openings. Select up to the same number of candidates as the number of open positions for the waiting list. In case the final successful candidate cannot be appointed due to resignation or disqualification, appointments can be made in accordance with the ranking of potential successful candidates. However, the effective period of the potential successful candidate is limited to a maximum of 3 months from the earlier of either the scheduled appointment date (December 1, 2026) or the appointment date of the original successful candidate. ※ When the applicants are not competent enough, the IBS may select the final candidates less than the number of openings.
Appointment	Mar. 1, 2027	∘ If necessary, the appointment date can be adjusted, including early appointment. ※ However, the appointment offer may be withdrawn if the successful candidates cannot make it until June 1, 2027.

※ The interview can be conducted in video interview according to the research group’s circumstances.

※ The schedule above may be subject to change according to the research group’s circumstances.

※ There can be additional required documents for successful candidates.

□ Required Documents

Category	Detail
Step 1 (Document screening)	1. AMS Standard Cover Sheet or Cover Letter 2. CV including a List of Publications and Preprints 3. Research Statement 4. 3 recommendation letters ※ Recommendations must be submitted directly by the recommender through the link provided based on the information entered during the online application process. Applicants are responsible for confirming with their recommenders that the recommendation request email has been received and should follow up as needed. 5. Consent to Collection and Use of Personal Information (Form available on the application page) [Optional] Supporting documents for persons with disabilities or eligible for veterans’ benefit (if applicable)
Step 2 (Interview screening)	※ There can be additional required documents according to the situation at the group.

□ Term of Employment Contract

〇 (Senior Researcher) will be eligible to renew employment contract once after the initial term and the total employment period is up to five years.

※ In case of the Group’s closure during employment, the employment contract will be terminated accordingly.

□ Application Submission and Period

〇 How to apply: online application through the website

- URL : https://ibs.re.kr/prog/recruit/eng/sub04_01/list.do

〇 Required documents (Upload in PDF file format)

1. AMS Standard Cover Sheet or Cover Letter

2. CV including a List of Publications and Preprints

3. Research Statement

4. Three Recommendation Letters

※ Recommendations must be submitted directly by the recommender through the link   provided based on the information entered during the online application process.

※ Applicants are responsible for confirming with their recommenders that the          recommendation request email has been received and should follow up as needed.

5. Consent to Collection and Use of Personal Information (Form available on the application page)

〇 Open and closing dates: April 30 to June 10, 2026 until 16:00 KST

〇 Please kindly note that if your application misses to submit a part of

required documents including recommendation letters by the deadline,

your application shall not be accepted.

□ Other Information

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. 2023) 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 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 fully 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 Successful candidates are expected to start on March 1, 2027.

(Appointment schedule may change according to the group’s circumstances.)

〇 Workplace: Extremal Combinatorics and Probability Group, IBS HQ, Daejeon

〇 Inquiries: ecopro@ibs.re.kr