South Korea announces global postdoctoral fellowship on AI, science and technology, recruiting 400 researchers
South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, in collaboration with the country’s four leading science and technology institutions, has launched the InnoCORE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, aiming to recruit 400 postdoctoral researchers.
The fellowship aims to increase South Korea’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI) and science and technology, advancing research across four key areas: biomedicine, aerospace, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The program also aims to address brain drain, or the emigration of educate professionals out of a country, and attract global talent. It specifically targets researchers at the start of their careers, with a long-term aim of nurturing the next generation of leaders in AI and science and technology.
Supported by a five-year investment from the South Korean government of US$222 million, the program offers fellows an annual base salary of $66,000, with opportunities for additional funding through further research and industry partnerships.
Fellows will also be offered access to state-of-the-art research facilities in South Korea and guidance from domestic and international experts.
A Ministry of Science and ICT official comments: "In the global competition for AI expertise, postdoctoral researchers are strategic assets for national innovation. Through the InnoCORE program, we are committed to creating a world-class research environment and fostering global partnerships that empower early-career scientists to lead transformative breakthroughs in South Korea."
Research areas covered by InnoCORE include:
AI-based drug discovery
Smart manufacturing
Large language models (LLMs)
AI-transformed Aerospace
AI-nano convergence for detection of Neurodegenerative diseases
Bio-Embodied Physical AI
AI-driven Hydrogen Technology
AI-driven space solar technologies
Industry partnerships for the fellowship include Samsung, Hyundai and LG as well as global institutions including MIT, Stanford, Harvard and Oxford.
