Company Profile
Institute for Basic Science
Company Overview
The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) pursues excellence in basic science research. The goal of IBS is to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to train the leading scientists of tomorrow.
Accelerate Transformation through New Knowledge
IBS was established in November 2011 as Korea’s first dedicated basic science research institute. By studying the fundamental principles of nature, basic science is essential in creating new knowledge from which significant societal transformations are derived. IBS promotes the highest quality of research that will increase the national basic science capacity and generate new opportunities for this nation.
IBS specializes in long-term projects that require large groups of researchers. As research in the 21st century requires more interdisciplinary collaborations from larger groups of people, scientists at IBS work together in the same laboratory base with a long-term perspective on research. We promote autonomy in research. IBS believes scientists unleash their creative potential most effectively when they conduct research in an autonomous environment with world-class research infrastructure, including a rare isotope accelerator to enable major scientific advances. By developing strong synergies from outstanding talents, autonomous research support systems, and world-class infrastructure, IBS is steadily growing into a major basic research institute that meets the global standards of excellence.
Ensure Excellence in Research
By pursuing excellence in research, IBS has selected global leading scientists as directors of Centers through its competitive grant programs. These directors are operating 26 Centers of which research proposals are ranked highest in the IBS peer review process. The review is carried out by a Review Panel composed of independent and expert scientists from Korea and abroad. Directors choose the themes of their research and allocate funds accordingly. Generally, Centers operate projects with no fixed term for their duration as long as the quality of research is verified in evaluations. New Centers receive an initial evaluation five years after its launch, followed by three-year interval evaluations.
IBS has been inviting top scientists from around the globe and providing them full support for their relocations. Young scientists also enjoy unique research opportunities to collaborate with world renowned scientists and to organize and operate their own research groups, broadening their professional expertise. IBS brings together outstanding talents throughout all career levels to grow and inspire each other through close collaborations.
Stimulate Collaboration Without Boundaries
IBS welcomes scientists from Korea and abroad seeking to work in a collaborative research environment. IBS’ faculty researcher program and IBS’s affiliation with the founding body of University of Science and Technology (UST) help IBS scientists to reach out to and foster young talent outside the institution. Centers serve as a catalyst for research collaboration with universities and other government-funded research institutions through joint research and the sharing of research equipment. Other efforts are also underway to stimulate collaborations, including overseas training programs and visiting scientist programs.
To disseminate research findings, IBS holds an “IBS Research Conference” and develops a global network with the world’s prominent research institutions including the Max Planck Gesellschaft (MPG) in Germany and the Royal Society in U.K.
We expect our work to make transformative changes outside as well as inside the institution. To realize this exciting vision, IBS will serve as a national R&D platform and accelerate the creation and use of new knowledge to support universities, research institutions, and businesses. As a driving force for dynamic research collaborations, IBS will continually develop and refresh its science, while always remaining receptive to outside talents and ideas.
Continue its Endeavor to Make a Brighter Future
IBS shares the same passion as other great minds to investigate the nature of life in the universe for the development of humanity, as shown in its vision “Masking Discoveries for Humanity & Society”.
We are committed to realizing this vision through a phased endeavor as outlined in our Five-year Plan (2013 – 2017). We aim to:
Become a national hub for basic science research by 2017
Complete the construction of the rare isotope accelerator by 2021
Evolve into one of the world’s top 20 basic research institution by 2030 (measured in terms of impact on research).
By creating an integrated basic science effort that brings together the best minds across the borders, we will build an IBS Complex as an urban science park that will promote public outreach and community engagement. Our commitment to enhance the quality of life and make sustainable progress continues every day.
Company History
2015
July. Center for Vascular Research was established.(Director Gou Young Koh)
2014
Jan. The Center for Soft and Living Matter was established. (Director Steve Granick)
Mar. The Center for Genome Engineering was established. (Director Jin Soo Kim)
Sep. Dr. Doochul Kim was appointed as the 2nd president of IBS.
Dec. Center for Theoretical Physics of Complex Systems was established. (Director Sergej Flach)
Center for Genomic Integrity was established. (Director Kyung-Jae Myung)
Center for Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics was established. (Director Minhaeng Cho)
2013
June. The Center for Artificial Low Dimensional Electronic Systems was established.(Director Han Woong Yeom)
July. The Center for Underground Physics was established. (Director Yeongduk Kim)
The Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research was established. (Director Seong-Gi Kim)
A MOU to build a research hub in the International Science and Business Belt and an advanced base area to facilitate a creative economy in the Daedeok Special Research and Development Zone was finalized.
* IBS, Daejeon Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the Daejeon International Marketing EnterpriseAug.“Basic Plan for International Science and Business Belt” was modified.
* The construction site for IBS was relocated. (from Dungok town to Doryong town)
Oct. The Center for Axion and Precision Physics Research was established. (Director Yannis Semertzidis)
Nov. The Center for Theoretical Physics of the Universe was established. (Director Kiwoon Choi)
The Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials was established. (Director Rodney S. Ruoff)
2012
Aug. The Center for Cognition and Sociality was established. (Director Hee-Sup Shin)
The Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions was established. (Director Eunjoon Kim)
The Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions was established. (Director Ryong Ryoo)
The Academy of Immunology and Microbiology was established. (Director Charles Surh)
The Center for Self-Assembly and Complexity was established. (Director Kimoon Kim)
The Center for Geometry and Physics was established. (Director Yong-Geun Oh)
The Center for RNA Research was established. (Director V. Narry Kim)
The Center for Correlated Electron Systems was established. (Director Tae Won Noh)
The Center for Nanoparticle Research was established. (Director Taeghwan Hyeon)
Dec. The Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations was established. (Director Sukbok Chang)
The Center for Plant Aging Research was established. (Director Hong Gil Nam)
The Center for Relativistic Laser Science was established. (Director Chang Hee Nam)
The Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics was established. (Director Young Hee Lee)
2011
Jan.The Special Act on Establishment of and Support for International Science and Business Belts was announced to the public.
* The Enforcement Decree of Special Act on Establishment of and Support for International Science and Business Belts was enacted and execution began.(April. 5. 2011)
Sep. “Basic Plan for IBS Establishment and Operation” was finalized.
Nov. IBS was registered as a legal entity, and Dr. Se-Jung Oh was appointed as the 1st president of IBS.