2027학년도 1학기 UST 한국천문연구원 스쿨 천문우주과학 전공 신입생 모집

Big Questions to Big Science

큰 질문에서 시작되는 위대한 과학

 https://kasi.re.kr/kor/introduce/pageView/332

한국천문연구원 스쿨 천문우주과학 전공에서는 2027학년도 1학기 석사과정, 석박사 통합과정 및 박사과정 UST 신입생을 모집합니다. 대전 대덕특구에 위치한 한국천문연구원 캠퍼스는 천문학과 우주과학 분야에서 기초과학기술 및 응용과학기술 지식 습득에 탁월한 연구 및 교육 환경을 제공합니다. 주요 지원 사항은 다음과 같습니다.

● 학생인건비 지원: 석사과정 154만원/월, 박사과정 210만원/월

● 기숙사 제공: 대전 외 지역 거주학생에 한하여 KASI 내부 기숙사 입주 가능

● 국제학술대회 및 단기 해외연구교류 (90일 이내)

● 학생주도 연구과제(1년): 연 1,500만원 이내

한국천문연구원은 국내 유일의 천문우주과학 분야 정부출연연구기관으로서, 세계적 수준의 연구역량을 갖춘 핵심 과학기술 그룹들과 함께 미래를 선도하는 연구를 수행하고 있습니다. 천문우주과학 전공은 경쟁력 있는 학위과정을 제공하기 위해 전공강좌(천문학 및 천체물리학, 우주과학, 천문관측기기 개발 등), 현장연구, 세미나 등 체계적인 교과과정을 운영하고 있으며, 국내외 최고 수준의 연구자들과 함께하는 다양한 대형 연구 프로젝트에 참여할 기회를 제공합니다. 또한, 모든 학생이 졸업 시 높은 연구 경쟁력을 갖출 수 있도록, 권장 학위 기간(예: 석·박사 통합과정 6년 이내, 박사과정 4년 이내) 동안 SCI(E)급 국제학술지(JCR 20% 이상 포함)에 제1저자 논문 2편 이상 게재를 목표로 체계적인 연구지도를 제공합니다.

2027학년도 1학기 신입생 모집 분야는 다음과 같습니다. 세부 연구 분야에 대한 문의는 해당 지도교수께 연락해 주시고, 기타 일반 사항은 전공책임교수 이상성(sslee@kasi.re.kr)에게 문의하시기 바랍니다. 지원서 접수는 2026년 9월 16일부터 10월 6일(오후 3시)까지이며, 자세한 사항은 UST 입학안내 홈페이지를 참고하시기 바랍니다. (https://ust.ac.kr/admission.do)

감사합니다.

이상성 드림.

전공책임교수

1.  정연길 교수 (ykjung21@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 이원철홀)

미시중력렌즈 방법을 이용한 외계행성 연구

외계행성은 천문학의 난제 중 하나인 행성의 형성 및 진화 연구의 근간이 되는 천체이다. 하지만 외계행성은 너무 어두워서 직접 관측하기가 매우 어렵다. 그래서 이를 극복하기 위한 다양한 관측방법들이 고안되었다. 이들 방법은 각각 장단점을 지니고 있으며, 방법마다 발견할 수 있는 외계행성의 특성이 서로 달라 상호보완적인 관계에 있다. 행성의 형성 및 진화를 규명하기 위해서는 균일한 외계행성 표본이 확보되어야 한다. 하지만, 지금까지의 표본은 균일하지 않다. 보고된 외계행성 대부분이 특정 방법을 통해 발견되었기 때문이다. 이를 극복하기 위해 천문연구원에서는 광시야 탐색시스템인 KMTNet(Korea Microlensing Telescope Network)을 활용하여 미시중력렌즈(microlensing) 방법을 이용한 외계행성 탐색연구를 수행하고 있다. 미시중력렌즈는 행성계의 중력을 기반으로 외계행성을 찾는 방법이다. 즉, 행성계 내 중심별의 빛이 필요하지 않다. 이러한 특징으로 인해 미시중력렌즈 방법은 다른 방법들과 차별화되는 여러 강점을 지니고 있으며, 외계행성 표본 확보 및 행성의 형성과 진화 연구에 있어 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있다. 현재 우리 연구진은 우수한 관측장비와 분석기법을 기반으로 다양한 국제공동연구에 참여하고 있으며 미시중력렌즈 분야를 선도하는 그룹으로 성장하고 있다. 또한, Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope와 같은 국외 우주망원경 사업과의 공동연구를 추진하고 있다. 신입생은 관측자료의 처리 및 분석을 포함하는 다양한 방법론을 습득하고 이를 기반으로 KMTNet 외계행성 탐색연구에 참여하게 될 것이다. 더불어, 행성 형성 이론 검증을 위해 외계행성의 통계학적 특성(행성/모성 질량비 분포, 행성/모성 질량 분포, 외계행성 공간분포 등)을 분석하게 될 것이다. 

2.  신지혜 교수 (jhshin@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 이원철홀)

Dwarf galaxies are the most abundant and the most fragile galaxies in the Universe. Because their shallow potential wells respond sensitively to both internal feedback and external perturbations, they are ideal laboratories for testing how environment shapes galaxy evolution — and for probing the nature of dark matter itself. A particularly puzzling population is that of diffuse, low-surface-brightness galaxies (LSBGs), including ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs), whose extended and faint stellar structures are difficult to explain with a single formation channel. Our research group is currently using the IllustrisTNG simulations to characterize the population of diffuse galaxies and LSBGs and to identify the physical drivers of their extended structures. This project will extend that work substantially: the student will use DARWIN, our own suite of cosmological hydrodynamic simulations dedicated to dwarf galaxy formation and evolution, to investigate the environmental transformation of dwarf galaxies at a resolution and level of physical detail that large-volume simulations cannot reach.

The specific aims are:

 - To quantify how environment drives the structural and star-formation transformation of dwarf galaxies.

 - To separate the relative contributions of the physical mechanisms responsible — ram-pressure stripping, tidal heating and stripping, starvation, and internal feedback — as a function of halo mass and infall time.

 - To determine which of these channels produces diffuse, low-surface-brightness dwarfs, and to predict their observable properties for upcoming deep imaging surveys.

The student will analyze the DARWIN simulation suite, a multi-tier set of RAMSES-based cosmological simulations (DARWIN-1 full-box, DARWIN-2/-3 zoom-in) designed specifically to resolve the internal structure of dwarf galaxies. The work will combine (i) statistical analysis of the dwarf population in the full-box run, (ii) high-resolution zoom-in simulations of selected dwarfs and their host environments, and (iii) orbit and merger-tree based reconstruction of each galaxy's environmental history. Results will be cross-compared with IllustrisTNG to distinguish robust physical trends from resolution- and subgrid-dependent behavior. Simulated galaxies will be converted into mock observations to allow a direct comparison with observational data, in particular with the deep low-surface-brightness imaging from K-DRIFT and with forthcoming LSST/Euclid data. In the later stage, the student may extend the analysis to alternative dark matter models within the nextDARWIN framework, testing whether the diffuse dwarf population carries a dark-matter signature.Expected outcomes:

 • At least three first-author papers in leading international journals (e.g., ApJ, MNRAS, A&A), plus co-authorship on DARWIN collaboration papers.

 • A publicly releasable catalog of simulated dwarf galaxies with full environmental histories and matched mock images.

 • An analysis pipeline connecting simulations to low-surface-brightness observations, directly supporting the K-DRIFT science program.

 • Presentations at domestic (KAS) and international conferences, and research experience abroad through our collaboration with Observatoire astronomique de Strasbourg.

 • Training of a researcher fluent in both numerical simulation and observational data analysis — a profile increasingly required in the survey era.

3. 한정열 교수 (jhan@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 빛마름동)

 0) 연구 개요

  - 천문우주용 관측기기 기술개발을 위한 연마 및 조립정렬 기술 연구

  - 천문우주 관측데이터 특성에 따른 최적의 데이터 분석기술 연구

  - 천문우주 망원경 광기계 설계 및 해석 연구

 1) 연구목표

  - 천문우주용 대형광학계 반사경 개발기술 현황을 이해한다.

  - 국내외 첨단 광학계 개발동향을 이해하고 중장기적 광학기술 개발 안목을 가지게 된다.

  - 천문우주용 반사경의 연마기술을 이해할 수 있다.

  - 반사경의 공구영향함수(Tool Influence Function; TIF)를 이해할 수 있다.

  - 망원광학계의 조립 및 정렬 절차를 이해하며, 조립정렬 데이터 분석을 통해 조립정렬 공정에 참여한다.

  - 천문우주기술 분야 빅데이터 분석을 위한 데이터 수집계획을 수립하고 분석할 수 있다.

  - 천문우주용 대형광학계의 광기계 기술개발 현황을 이해한다.

  - 국내외 첨단 광학계 개발동향을 이해하고 중장기적 광학기술 개발 안목을 가지게 된다.

  - 천문우주용 대형광학계 광기계 설계 및 해석기술을 이해하며 첨단 광기계기술을 연구할 수 있다.

 2) 연구방법

 - 국내외 천문우주용 대형광학계 반사경 개발기술 관련 문헌을 조사하고 연구소모임을 통하여 관련지식을 공유한다.

 - 천문우주용 반사경의 연마기술 관련 연구자료를 확보하고, 정기적인 논문발표를 통하여 참고문헌에 대한 정교한 지식을 습득하며, 천문연에서의 연구개발의 novelty를 이해한다.

 - 반사경의 공구영향함수를 획득하고 분석하여 연마공정을 최적화할 수 있도록 지도교수와 정기/비정기 미팅을 통해 연구역량을 증진시킨다.

 - 망원광학계의 조립 및 정렬절차에 대해 기존 천문연에서의 조립정렬 경험을 이해하며, 기존 자료를 기반으로 새로운 광학계 개발 시 활용할 수 있는 정렬 알고리즘을 개발 및 적용한다.

 - 천문우주기술 분야 빅데이터 포맷을 이해하고 해독하며 데이터 가시화를 통해 데이터간 융합정보를 분석하고 정규 팀미팅을 통하여 연구내용을 공유한다.

 - 국내외 천문우주용 대형광학계 개발기술 관련 문헌을 조사하고 연구소모임을 통하여 관련지식을 공유한다.

 - 천문우주용 대형광학계 광기계 분야의 핵심연구자료를 확보하고, 정기적인 논문발표를 통하여 참고문헌에 대한 정교한 지식을 습득하며, 국내외 전문가를 통하여 전문지식을 습득한다.

 - 망원광학계의 광학 및 광기계 설계연구에 참여하여 기존 방식의 망원경에서 구현한 기술을 이해하고, 새로운 연구방법론을 적용하여 첨단 망원경을 개발한다.

 3) 기대결과

 - 천문우주 분야에 적용할 수 있는 대형 첨단 반사광학계 개발기술의 국내외 동향을 이해하고, 세계적인 경쟁력을 갖춘 연구수행이 가능하다.

 - 국가경쟁력을 높일 수 있는 신개념의 연마기술을 개발하며, 점차 다양하고 대형화하며 복잡해지는 광학계 개발 시 조립 및 정렬을 가능하게 한다.

 - 방대한 데이터가 산출되는 시대에 걸맞는 데이터 분석 전문가를 양성하여 국가적으로 반드시 필요한 인력 자원을 확보한다.

 - 천문우주 분야에 적용할 수 있는 대형 첨단 망원경 광기계 기술의 국내외 동향을 이해하고, 세계적인 경쟁력을 갖춘 연구수행이 가능하다.

 - 국가경쟁력을 높일 수 있는 신개념의 광기계기술을 개발하며, 점차 다양하고 대형화하며 복잡해지는 광학계 개발 시 광기계 설계가 가능하게 된다.

4. 안교훈 교수 (kyohoon@ust.ac.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 장영실홀)

Research on Space Optical Communication Systems for Astronomy and Space Science

Optical communication enables ultra-high-speed as well as high-capacity data transmission and provides high security due to its higher frequencies and narrower beamwidth compared to conventional RF communication. However, atmospheric turbulence distorts received signals and interferes with precise beam alignment during the Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) process. These factors specifically degrade the performance of optical communication channel between an optical ground station and a satellite.

With the advent of the "New Space" era, the satellite-based optical and quantum communications have been considered as a critical national strategic technology. Consequently, there is a growing need to compensate the signal distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence and to improve the precision of PAT systems. Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) has been developing core technologies for next-generation optical ground stations and satellite payloads to ensure stable communication links by overcoming atmospheric turbulence environments. Students in this program will gain an understanding of atmospheric turbulence models and participate in research on high-reliability PAT technologies development under atmospheric turbulence and transmitter jitters. To achieve this, students will select one or more of the following research topics and then conduct research under the guidance of co-advisors.

[Research Objectives]

 - Research on atmospheric turbulence analysis and compensation for enhancing the stability of ground-to-satellite optical and quantum communication links 

 - Research on the development of precise PAT control systems under atmospheric turbulence for ground-to-satellite and satellite-to-satellite optical communications

[Research Methodology]

Theoretical study and simulation of atmospheric turbulence modeling and characteristics of optical communication signal distortion under turbulent conditions

Development of precise PAT algorithms and control program to correct atmospheric turbulence for ground-to-satellite and satellite-to-satellite optical communications, based on Matlab or Python.

[Expected Impact]

 - Supplying specialized personnel related to space optical and quantum communications through theoretical training and development experience.

 - Producing key human resources for deep space optical communications of L4 mission. 

 - Contributing to the global competitiveness in the field of national strategic space technologies of optical and quantum communications through the development of enhanced technologies of atmospheric turbulence compensation.

5. 이민영 교수 (mlee@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정/석사과정 (근무실: 장영실홀)

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a next-generation radio telescope that is currently being built in Australia and South Africa. It operates at low frequencies of 50 MHz~15.4 GHz and will become the most powerful observing facility once completed in 2030. We are preparing the upcoming SKA era by utilizing a number of pathfinder telescopes, including ASKAP. The GASKAP-HI survey is an ongoing survey with ASKAP to map HI in the Milky Way and the surrounding Magellanic System (Large Magellanic Cloud, Small Magellanic Cloud, Magellanic Bridge, and Magellanic Stream), and a successful candidate will use high-resolution, high-sensitivity HI data from the GASKAP-HI survey to perform the following projects:

Aims: 1) Probe the properties of HI in a wide range of environments 2) Examine the atomic-to-molecular transition in the interstellar medium

Methods: The candidate will analyze HI emission and absorption spectra to estimate the physical and dynamical properties of HI and compare the results to state-of-the-art theoretical models to understand what determine(s) the properties of HI in a wide range of environments. In addition, the candidate will compare the analyzed HI spectra to other multi-wavelength data (e.g., ALMA CO and HCO+ observations) to examine the conditions for the atomic-to-molecular transition in the interstellar medium. 

Outcomes: The candidate will provide comprehensive insights into the roles of HI in the formation of molecular clouds and stars. With extensive experiences with pathfinder data, the candidate will also be best-suited for performing SKA key science projects in the near future.

6. Thiem Hoang 교수 (thiemhoang@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 이원철홀)

Dust Dynamics and Evolution in Planetary Systems

We invite applications from highly motivated candidates for one Ph.D. or Integrated Ph.D. position in theoretical and computational astrophysics at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), under the co-supervision of Dr. Thiem Hoang at KASI and Dr. Pierre Henri at the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, France.

The successful candidate will investigate dust dynamics and evolution in planetary systems, from magnetized planet-forming environments to comets and interstellar objects. Dust provides the building blocks of planets, and its growth, alignment, transport, and destruction—shaped by gas, radiation, and magnetic fields—play critical roles in planet formation. Comets preserve primitive material from our Solar System, while interstellar objects carry information about other planetary systems and their birth environments. This research is particularly timely because the Comet Interceptor mission may encounter either a pristine comet or an interstellar object. Connecting remote observations with its in situ measurements will help trace dust evolution, constrain the origins of interstellar objects, and test dust-physics theories under diverse conditions.

The research will focus on: (1) modeling dust dynamics and evolution and the resulting emission and polarization, together with numerical simulations and synthetic polarization observations, to study dust physics during planet formation; (2) and developing physical dust models to interpret in situ measurements from spacecraft flyby missions and using these observations to test theories of dust physics in cometary environments and interstelallar objects.

7. 김영민 교수 (ymkim@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 대덕전파천문대)

중력파원 시뮬레이션 연구

* 연구목표

 - 중력파 발생 천체에 대한 상대론적 수치 시뮬레이션 코드 개발 및 이를 활용하여 중력파 천문학 및 다중신호 천문학 연구를 목표로 한다.

  1) 고밀도,고중력 천체 및 그 주변 물질에 대한 상대론적 시뮬레이션

  2) 상대론적 유체역학 시뮬레이션을 통한 중력파 발생 천체 (회전하는 중성자별 등) 시뮬레이션

  3) 상대론적 시뮬레이션의 초기 조건 및 수치 도구에서 정확하고 효율적인 알고리즘 개발

* 연구방법

 - 상대론적 유체역학 코드 개발

 - 중성자별과 같은 고밀도,고중력 천체 및 그 주변 물질에 대한 시뮬레이션을 통해 중력파 천문학 및 다중신호 천문학 연구 진행

 - 연구주제에 따라 필요한 경우, LIGO Scientific Collaboration 또는 Einstein Telescope (ET) collaboration 가입을 통해 국제공동연구를 진행함.

* 기대결과

  - 중력파 천문학 및 다중신호 천문학 연구분야에서 중력파 발생 천체에 대한 정밀한 수치 시뮬레이션을 통해 관련 분야 전문가로서 주도적인 역할을 할 수 있는 연구자로의 성장

모집과정 : 박사과정 (근무실: 빛마름동)

Gravitational-wave detection technology development

(High-Precision Adaptive Mode-Matching Systems: Spatial Mode Sensing and Deformable Mirror (DM) Development for Ultra-Sensitive Optical Cavities)

Aims: Develop an integrated adaptive optics framework to suppress spatial mode-mismatch loss below 1 % in precision cavities, minimizing Higher-Order Mode (TEM_{nm}) losses and phase degradation.

Methods: Combine a numerical modeling, active Deformable Mirror (DM) hardware fabrication/interferometric metrology, spatial mode sensing (Wavefront Sensors/Phase-cams), and automated closed-loop feedback control algorithms.

Outcomes: A fully characterized DM hardware unit, a real-time spatial mode detection system, an automated closed-loop mode-mismatch correction testbed, and high-impact peer-reviewed publications.

8. 이우경 교수 (wklee@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정: 석사과정 (근무실: 세종홀)

Research Objective

Performance analysis of observational data for space weather (ionosphere and upper atmosphere) monitoring

Research Description

The Earth's space environment, particularly the ionosphere (where high electron density prevails) and upper atmosphere, undergoes rapid variations that significantly affect radio communication, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) performance and satellite operations. Therefore, developing observational technologies for real-time monitoring and forecasting of space weather conditions is critical.

The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) is currently developing technologies to monitor and predicting ionospheric conditions in near-real-time by using GNSS observation network. Furthermore, to investigate Sun-Earth interactions, KASI has developed and deployed ROKITS (Republic Of Korea Imaging Test System), a spaceborne wide-field imaging camera, to collect aurora and airglow observations from space.

Key Research Tasks for the Candidate:

This research focuses on analyzing the quality and performance of ionospheric and upper atmospheric data collected from both ground-based and spaceborne segments. Specifically, the selected student will: 

 - Validate ROKITS performance: Conduct comparative analysis of ROKITS imagery (aurora/airglow) against ground-based all-sky camera networks or data from other satellites.

 - Mission planning: Design observation campaigns to establish robust validation scenarios.

 - System optimization: Based on the analysis, derive advanced data processing algorithms or propose operational improvements to maximize the observational efficiency.

9. 홍성욱 교수 (swhong@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 이원철홀)

Understanding Large-scale Structures of the Universe using Massive Cosmological Simulations and AI

 - Train deep learning models using gas distribution data from the Horizon Run 5 and DARWIN hydrodynamic simulations, and apply the learned gas information to large-volume N-body simulations.

 - Use machine learning techniques to learn the merger history characteristics of SDSS/DESI LRG/ELG/QSO candidates from Horizon Run 5, and apply these to dark matter halos in N-body simulations to generate mock observational data for future cosmological model analysis.

 - Reconstruct galaxy distributions without redshift distortions and corresponding dark matter distributions from distorted galaxy distributions using deep learning techniques.

Development of Next-Generation Spectroscopic Survey Instruments and Cosmological Research

 - Participate in the data reduction for the A-SPEC’s Southern hemisphere survey and development and operation of its next phases.

 - Predict dark matter distribution and distinguish the dark matter species using the spatial distribution of nearby galaxies.

 - Calibrate Hubble constant measurements using the average density of the local universe.

 - Provide new constraints on the nature of dark energy using information from the local universe.

 - Participate in the instrument case studies and cosmological forecasts for the Korean-led next-generation spectroscopic survey plans.

Astrobiological Research in Galaxies and Large-Scale Structures of the Universe

 - Apply Goldilocks zone distribution studies to simulation data of galaxies with properties similar to the Milky Way.

 - Apply Goldilocks zone distribution studies to major domestic and international cosmological simulation datasets to understand differences in habitability based on galaxy properties and environmental effects.

 - Apply Goldilocks zone distribution studies to stellar data from Gaia and other surveys to predict regions within the Milky Way with high potential for life.

10. 고종완 교수 (jwko@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 대덕전파천문대)

Probing Dark Matter and Galaxy Evolution in the Low-Surface-Brightness Universe with K-DRIFT

Dark matter is one of the fundamental components of the Universe, yet its physical nature remains unknown. Because dark matter does not emit light, its properties must be inferred from its gravitational effects on galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the large-scale structure of the Universe. In particular, the faint outskirts of galaxies, low-surface-brightness galaxies, stellar streams, and diffuse intracluster light provide sensitive tracers of dark matter because their structures are strongly influenced by the gravitational potential of dark matter halos.

The K-DRIFT (KASI Deep Rolling Imaging Fast Telescope) project is designed to explore this extremely faint regime of the Universe. Its wide field of view and low-scattered-light optical system enable systematic observations of diffuse structures that are difficult to detect with conventional telescopes. The project therefore provides a unique opportunity to investigate dark matter over a wide range of physical scales, from dwarf galaxies to massive galaxy clusters.

The student will conduct observational and/or simulation-based research using K-DRIFT data together with complementary data from major astronomical surveys and facilities. Depending on the student's interests and the development of the K-DRIFT survey, the PhD research may focus on one or more of the following topics: Ultra-diffuse, dark, and dark-matter-deficient galaxies: investigating unusual galaxy populations whose stellar and dynamical properties may provide strong constraints on the relation between galaxies and dark matter halos.Stellar halos and tidal streams: tracing past galaxy mergers and interactions through extremely faint structures in galaxy outskirts and using their morphology and perturbations to probe the underlying gravitational potential and dark matter substructure.Galaxy groups and clusters: studying diffuse intracluster light, satellite galaxy populations, and cluster dynamical states to understand how baryonic matter and dark matter are assembled during hierarchical structure formation.The ultimate goal of this PhD project is to use the low-surface-brightness Universe as a laboratory for dark matter research.Expected outcomes include peer-reviewed publications, presentations at domestic and international conferences, participation in K-DRIFT survey activities, and collaboration with researchers working on observational astronomy, astronomical instrumentation, numerical simulations, and dark matter theory.

11. 정웅섭 교수 (jeongws@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 이원철홀)

High-Redshift Infrared-Luminous Galaxies

Most of galaxies at the Comsic Noon when star formation and supermassive black hole growth were most active are heavily obscured by dust, making it difficult to fully understand their physical properties and evolution through optical observations alone. In particular, dust-obscured galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the high-redshift Universe are important targets for investigating star formation in galaxies, the growth of supermassive black holes, and their coevolution. Systematic studies of these objects require spectral analyses that combine multiwavelength observations from optical to infrared wavelengths.

The selected student will participate in SPHEREx (PI institue: Caltech), NASA’s all-sky infrared spectrophotometric space mission operated through an international collaboration, and will conduct a range of studies on high-redshift galaxies. Using SPHEREx’s 0.75–5 μm all-sky spectroscopic data, the student will search for infrared-bright high-redshift objects, determine their redshifts and physical properties, and investigate dust-obscured luminous galaxies and candidates hosting supermassive black holes.

The student will also combine multiwavelength data and follow-up observations from space telescopes and large ground-based telescopes to study galaxy star formation, black hole growth, and the environments surrounding these systems. The program aims to train researchers who can analyze large observational datasets from next-generation infrared space telescopes and take a leading role in infrared galaxy research.

12. 박성홍 교수 (shpark@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 대덕전파천문대)

Aim: The primary aim of this project is to investigate the rapid release and conversion of energy in the solar atmosphere using state-of-the-art solar radio observations. The main focus will be on solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), with particular emphasis on understanding magnetic reconnection, plasma heating, shock formation and propagation, various types of radio bursts, and particle acceleration. Depending on the student’s interests, the research may also include solar wind studies using interplanetary scintillation (IPS), magnetic field studies of CMEs and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) using Faraday rotation, and analogous eruptive and radio phenomena on other stars.

Methods: The student will primarily analyze state-of-the-art solar radio observations, including dynamic spectra, imaging, and polarization data, together with complementary multi-wavelength observations. These observations will be used to investigate magnetic reconnection, plasma heating, shocks, radio emission, and particle acceleration during solar eruptive events. Depending on the research topic, IPS and Faraday rotation observations may also be analyzed. Theoretical modeling and numerical simulations may be used when needed to interpret the observations and investigate the underlying physical processes.

Expected Outcomes: The project is expected to improve our understanding of how energy is rapidly released and converted into plasma heating, particle acceleration, shocks, and radio emission during solar flares and CMEs. Additional studies may provide insights into solar wind properties, CME and IMF magnetic fields, and analogous eruptive phenomena on other stars. The student will develop research expertise in solar radio astronomy, solar and heliospheric physics, observational data analysis, and, where appropriate, theoretical modeling and numerical simulations.

13. 윤혜인 교수 (hiyoon@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 박사과정 또는 석박사 통합과정 (근무실: 장영실홀)

The gas properties of galaxies and their role in galaxy evolution using SKA precursor telescopes and multi-wavelength observations 

Aims: (i) Investigate the role of cold gas in galaxy evolution by combining the wide-field ASKAP HI absorption survey with CO and optical data, tracing galaxy evolution across cosmic time and the link between cold gas and nuclear activity. (ii) Investigate the role of environment in galaxy evolution using high-resolution HI emission data, revealing how gas accretion, depletion, and redistribution vary across environments of different densities and drive galaxy evolution.

Methods: The student will analyze HI absorption and emission data from ongoing SKA precursor surveys (ASKAP, MeerKAT) and radio interferometric observations (VLA, KVN, etc.). Multi-wavelength follow-up with ALMA and Gemini will add information on molecular gas, star formation, and galaxy environments, linking gas distribution and kinematics to the physical properties of galaxies.

Expected outcomes: The project will provide new observational constraints on the gas content and evolution of galaxies, identify the physical processes driving gas accretion and removal, and build a multi-wavelength synergy for the gas–galaxy connection. The student will gain expertise in radio interferometry essential for the SKA era, large-scale survey analysis, and multi-wavelength astronomy, with strong potential for high-impact publications and opportunities to present at international conferences and collaborate with researchers worldwide.

14. 박재흥 교수 (pj@kasi.re.kr)

모집과정 : 석사과정 (특별전형 위탁생) (근무실: 태양관측동)

This project for the Master’s course is aimed at developing a CubeSat that can be used for both space science and national defense. The applicants should have basic knowledge of university-level physics, plasma physics, and electronics. During this project, the students will participate in instrument testing, analysis, and validation. Upon completion, the students are expected to be able to lead a CubeSat mission for space science and its applications to national defense. A thesis topic recommended for the students is ‘Application of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Science CubeSats for National Defense.’

[NOTE] This program is only for domestic-program students sponsored by the ROK Army.