An official timeline and guide for InnoCORE (Image: 2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair) 
Connecting top science and technology talent with Korea’s premier research hubs — KAIST, GIST, DGIST, UNIST
As a global leader in science and technology, Korea invites outstanding postdoctoral researchers (Post-docs) to co-design the future of strategic technologies at the forefront of S&T
LONDON & MUNICH & ZURICH, May 18, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) will host the 2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair in June with upcoming programs in London, Munich, and Zurich. This follows the successful launch of the initiative in New York, Boston, and Silicon Valley in May 2026.
Organized by the MSIT together with KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST, the job fair will connect outstanding global postdoctoral researchers with leading Korean industries and research institutions.
The InnoCORE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, launched in 2025, is a government-backed initiative to recruit outstanding early-career researchers from around the world in AI-convergent science and technology (AI+S&T). Following a strong reception in 2025—with over 100 postdoctoral researchers interviewed across three U.S. cities—the program is being significantly expanded in 2026, scaling up from an initial cohort of 400 to approximately 1,000 postdoctoral researchers. This year’s job fair series aims to further strengthen Korea’s global talent pipeline and deepen partnerships with leading academic and research institutions worldwide.
Building on 2025: Key Milestones
Since its launch in June 2025, the InnoCORE program has made significant strides in establishing Korea as a competitive destination for global research talent. Through overseas job fairs and recruitment campaigns led by the four institutes, 400 postdoctoral researchers were selected in the program’s inaugural year. Each fellow receives an annual base salary of KRW 90 million (approx. USD 62,000) plus KRW 60 million in dedicated research funding – roughly double the average compensation for postdoctoral researchers in Korea—reflecting the government’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent.
Looking ahead, the Korean government is significantly expanding the InnoCORE program in 2026. The scope of recruitment has broadened from AI and AI-convergent fields to all National Strategic Technology domains—including semiconductors & displays, next-generation batteries, advanced mobility, nuclear energy, advanced bio, space & aerospace, hydrogen, cybersecurity, AI, next-generation communications, advanced robotics & manufacturing, and quantum technology. The program is also being extended beyond the four institutes to include government-funded research institutions (GRIs) and universities.
2026 InnoCORE Global Job Fairs
The 2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair will continue in June in London, Munich, and Zurich. Each event will feature InnoCORE program briefings, research cluster presentations, and on-site interviews directly with Korean research group leaders.
London
Munich
Zurich
Tuesday, June 2
1:00PM – 5:00PM
Friday, June 5
11:00AM – 5:00PM
Monday, June 8
11:00AM – 5:00PM
BMA House
London, UK
Design Offices
München Macherei
Munich, Germany
Technopark
Zürich, Switzerland
Program Details
Backed by a five-year government investment of approximately USD 465 million, the InnoCORE fellowship offers an annual base salary of USD 62,000, with additional compensation available through research and industry partnerships. Fellows receive full access to Korea’s cutting-edge research infrastructure—including supercomputing systems, semiconductor cleanrooms, and biomedical research facilities—and benefit from a multi-mentor system connecting them with leading experts from both academia and industry, domestically and internationally.
Research & Recruitment Areas
InnoCORE will recruit 25 postdoctoral researchers per research group across 16 interdisciplinary research clusters (400 total), spanning four of Korea’s premier science and technology institutes.
Institute
Research Group
Group Leader
Recruits
KAIST
Photonic artificial Intelligence COmputing REsearch Center
Kyoungsik Yu
25
Regenerative Medical Research Institute (reMRI) for Aging-related Diseases
Jin Woo Kim
25
T-RAX: Transformative Railway with AX
Hoon Sohn
25
5D AI-RI: 5D AI Robotics Initiative
Hyun Myung
25
Artificial Cell Initiative
Yeongjae Choi
25
POwer-autonomous Subsea Engineering for Intelligent Data-center Operating Networks
Daegyoum Kim
25
Sustainable Materials Institute for Post-AI Era
Sang Ouk Kim
25
AI Meta-Scientist
Tae-Kyun Kim
25
GIST
POLAR-AI (Physical-AI Operated Locomotion and Autonomous Robotics in Extreme Environments)
Hyosung Ahn
25
Innovative Global Network for Infectious disease Theranostics & Excellence (IGNITE@GIST InnoCORE)
Sung Yang
25
DGIST
Center for Energy Materials through AI Transformation(AX) (E-MatAX)
Sumi Hur
25
Multiscale Brain Digital Twin Convergence Research Group
Sohee Kim
25
UNIST
InnoCORE Research Center for Semiconductor PAckaging Co-Physics DEsign Framework(SPACE-F)
Taesung Kim
25
Bio-Max(Manufacturing AI Transition)
Yong Hwan Kim
25
Intelligent Defense Systems Research Group
Gangil Byun
25
Safe AI Research Center
Seungjoon Yang
25
Total Recruitment
400
How to Apply
Applicants must hold a PhD in a STEM-related field or must have successfully obtained their PhD by the confirmed appointment date. Further information on eligibility, research groups, and the application process is available at the official InnoCORE website: www.innocore-jobfair.com
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Contacts
2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair
YOUNG JIN JANG (MR.)
Secretariat
innocore@unist.ac.kr