Call for applications to doctoral programs 2026B in UST KASI School

From Big Questions to Big Science

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute(KASI), through the University of Science and Technology(UST) School, invites applications for doctoral (direct and integrated) programs beginning in September 2026. Successful applicants will receive a competitive monthly stipend of approximately USD 1,600 for the duration of the doctoral program. KASI is located in Daejeon, a leading hub for science, technology, and education in Korea. On-campus accommodation will be provided for up to three years, offering a convenient and supportive living environment for students. 

KASI conducts cutting-edge research across a wide range of fields in astronomy and astrophysics, including instrumentation, observations, and theoretical studies. The institute is actively involved in major international collaborations and independent projects such as Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV(SDSS-IV), Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet), and Korean VLBI Network (KVN).

For the upcoming semester, KASI is accepting applications in the following research areas:

• Astronomical Instrumentations - supervisor: Prof. Jeong-Yeol Han (jhan@kasi.re.kr)

For detailed descriptions of specific research topics, please refer to the attached list or visit our program webpage: https://www.kasi.re.kr/eng/pageView/140

We strongly encourage applications from qualified international students. Applicants holding a BSc degree may apply for the integrated PhD program, while those with an MSc degree are eligible to apply directly to the PhD program. Inquiries regarding specific research areas should be directed to the respective faculty members. For general inquiries, please contact the Chief Major Professor, Sang-Sung Lee (sslee@kasi.re.kr). For detailed information on the application process, please visit the UST admissions webpage: https://ust.ac.kr/admission_eng.do

Applications will be accepted from April 13 to April 24 (17:00 KST). Please note that only applications submitted within this period will be considered.

Best regards,

Sang-Sung Lee

Chief Major Professor

1. Jeong-Yeol Han (jhan@kasi.re.kr)

This project is for a PhD or integrated PhD student.

 1) Research Overview

  - Research on polishing and assembly alignment technology for the development of Astronomical space observation equipment

  - Research on optimal data analysis technology according to the characteristics of Astronomical space observation data

  - Research on optical system design and analysis for astronomical space telescopes

 2) Research Objectives

  - To understand the current status of large optical system mirror development technology for Astronomical application

  - To understand the development trend of advanced optical systems at home and abroad and have an outlook for mid- to long-term optical technology development

  - To understand the polishing technology of Astronomical space mirrors

  - To understand the Tool Influence Function (TIF) of mirrors

  - To understand the assembly and alignment procedures of telescopic optical systems and participate in the assembly and alignment process through analysis of assembly and alignment data

  - To participate in the assembly alignment process by analyzing assembly alignment data

  - Plan and analyze data collection for big data analysis in Astronomy and Space technology.

  - To understand the current status of optical polishing machine technology development of large optical systems for Astronomy and Space.

  - To understand the development trend of advanced optical systems at home and abroad and have a perspective on the development of optical technology in the medium and long term.

  - To understand the optical system design and analysis technology of large-scale optical system for Astronomy and Space and study advanced optical system technology and research advanced optical polishing machine technology.

 3) Research Methods

  - To investigate the literature related to the development technology of large optical system mirrors for Astronomical and Space applications at home and abroad and share relevant knowledge through research meetings.

  - To secure research data related to the polishing technology of mirrors for Astronomical and Space applications, and to acquire sophisticated knowledge of the literature through regular publication of research papers.

  - To acquire sophisticated knowledge of the literature and to understand the novelty of research and development in the Astronomical field

  - To obtain and analyze the tool influence function of the mirror to optimize the polishing process

  - To hold regular and irregular meetings with the supervisor to discuss the research. 

  - To develop research capabilities through regular and irregular meetings with the supervisor to optimize the polishing process by obtaining and analyzing the tool influence functions of mirrors

  - To understand the assembly and alignment procedures of telescopic optical systems and the experience of assembly and alignment in existing observatories

  - To develop new optical systems based on existing research data for polishing and alignment.

  - To develop and apply alignment algorithms that can be utilized in the development of new optical systems based on existing data.

  - To understand and decipher big data formats in the field of Astronomy and Space technology, and analyze the fusion information between data through data visualization. 

  - To analyze convergence information between data through data visualization and share research contents through regular team meetings.

  - To investigate the literature related to the development of large-scale optics for Astronomy and Space at home and abroad and share knowledge through research meetings and share relevant knowledge through research meetings.

  - To secure core research data in the field of optomechanics for large optical systems for Astronomy and Space, and acquire sophisticated knowledge of the literature through regular publications. 

  - To acquire sophisticated knowledge of references through regular publication of papers, and acquire specialized knowledge through domestic and foreign experts. 

  - To participate in optical and optomechanical design research in the field of telescopic optics to understand the techniques implemented in existing telescopes and apply new research methodologies.

  - To understand the technologies implemented in existing telescopes and apply new research methodologies to develop advanced telescopes.

 4) Expected Outcomes

  - To understand the domestic and international trends in the development of large-scale advanced reflective optical systems that can be applied to the Astronomical and Space fields.

  - To understand domestic and international trends in the development of large-scale advanced reflective optical systems that can be applied to the astronomical and space fields, and conduct research with global competitiveness. 

  - Develop new polishing technologies that can enhance national competitiveness and enable the assembly and alignment of increasingly diverse, large, and complex optical systems.

  - To understand domestic and international trends in large advanced telescope opto-mechanical technologies applicable to astronomy and space, and conduct globally competitive research.

  - It will enable optomechanical design for the development of increasingly diverse, large, and complex optical systems.