The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of National Defense announced on the 9th that they will recruit candidates for the first phase of the science and technology specialist officer master's program from the 20th to Feb. 14.
The science and technology specialist officer system is designed to allow outstanding science and technology talents to work in the defense science and technology field without career interruptions during their military service. The program selects excellent science and engineering students, provides them with training as candidates, and supports them to conduct research and development at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (ADD) as active-duty officers.
Until now, candidate recruitment has targeted bachelor’s degree students, but it was agreed during the first future defense science and technology policy council held last year between the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of National Defense to expand the recruitment range from bachelor's level to master's level. Accordingly, starting this year, candidates will be recruited from among new master's degree students.
Recruitment and selection of master's candidates will take place from January to May each year, while bachelor's candidates will be recruited and selected from August to December.
The first phase of science and technology specialist officer master's candidates will be recruited from students enrolled in master's programs at science and engineering graduate schools nationwide, who are either registered for the first semester of March 2025 or expected to return in the second semester in September 2025. The fields of study include mechanical and aerospace engineering, electrical, electronic, and computer engineering, and other science and engineering and natural science fields (materials, chemical engineering, polymers, energy, physics, chemistry, and life sciences). The number of recruits will be limited to 25, with no gender restrictions.
Once selected as a science and technology specialist officer master's candidate, individuals will undergo training including field practice at ADD during their degree program, and after obtaining their degree, they will complete eight weeks of military training before being commissioned as research and development officers (science and technology specialist officers) and will serve for three years at defense research and development institutions, including ADD.