Being recognized as a mid-level researcher in Korea is harder than becoming a top 1% researcher in the world.
Park Eun-jeong (58), a global toxicologist and professor at Kyunghee University, said on the 1st during a meeting organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT at Kyunghee University, "I have applied for mid-level research projects seven times, but I was rejected every time, and I am now approaching the eighth application with the mindset that this will be my last challenge."
Professor Park is a scholar who has been selected as a top 1% researcher (HCR) for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018. The HCR is chosen based on citation counts from research papers by the global academic information company Clarivate. He achieved this feat after repeatedly interrupting his career due to childbirth and family caregiving, earning his doctorate at the age of 42.
Professor Park noted, "I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to conduct research, but for young researchers who don't have such opportunities, realizing their dreams will not be easy," and added, "I hope more opportunities will be given to students."
The event that day was organized based on Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-jae's "Project Empathy 118." The purpose is to meet and listen to various scientists, as represented by the 118 elements in the periodic table, and reflect this into policies. During the event, about 10 young researchers from Kyunghee University expressed their concerns about the poor research environment and uncertain career paths.
Research professor Kang Seung-hoon stated, "From my experiences applying to various places, I realized that there aren't as many job options as I thought," adding, "If quality jobs are available, overseas talents will try to return to Korea."
Professor Kang mentioned that after going through postdoctoral research at home and abroad, his employment at a government-funded research institute has recently been confirmed. He emphasized, "Researchers do not choose this path to make money, but at least conditions that allow them to make a living are necessary," and noted, "When junior researchers see senior researchers working in good environments, they will have hope and follow suit."
Vice Minister Koo stated that a program would be established to connect young researchers with opportunities in private corporations, recognizing the limitation of research positions in government-funded institutes and universities. He noted, "Only 15-17% of Ph.D. holders go into corporations," adding, "We will expand dedicated programs that allow postdoctoral researchers to collaborate with the private sector, and also increase grassroots research opportunities."
Concerns were raised that while the government is heavily investing in artificial intelligence (AI), researchers are not receiving many opportunities.
Park Seon-hu, a master's student in chemical engineering at Kyunghee University, said, "I want to incorporate AI into my research, but the only opportunities to meet researchers from other fields are at conferences," adding, "It would be great if a space for discussion and collaboration at the national level could be created."
Bae Jung-hyun, a research professor at the College of Electronics and Information, also expressed, "Recently, the government has been promoting many projects centered around AI, which makes me feel pressure to relate my research to AI even when applying for basic personal projects."
Vice Minister Koo stated, "We plan to implement support policies for the recovery of the research ecosystem and for nurturing talent in various ways to add momentum to the advancement of the research field," and added, "In this process, we will carefully listen to and review feedback from the field."