Interest Group for International Researcher Support Staff
Building an R&D Career in Korea as an International Researcher
Jaeson Jang is a Senior Researcher at the Brain Science Institute of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). He holds a Ph.D. in Bio and Brain Engineering from KAIST, and his research areas include computational neuroscience, social interaction, and collective creativity. He has experience across academic and industrial research environments in Korea as well as postdoctoral research experience in the United States. Drawing on his experience as an international researcher abroad and his work with international colleagues in Korea, he aims to support researchers in understanding Korean R&D career paths and building sustainable careers.
The group aims to support international researchers who want to build sustainable R&D careers in Korea. Participants will learn about Korea’s research environment, hiring structures, and career opportunities in academia, industry, and related R&D sectors while developing practical career preparation skills and building a supportive peer network.
The group will hold regular meetings from July 2026, generally from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed by dinner. Sessions will cover Korean research and workplace culture, hiring procedures, career paths in academia and industry, research funding, CV and resume writing, self-introductions, research experience presentations, and interview preparation. Participants will also discuss language, cultural, administrative, and networking challenges faced by international researchers in Korea, take part in seminars with experienced researchers and industry professionals, and practice job application and interview scenarios through peer and group leader feedback.