I. Introduction

KASI-York Fellowship Program (KYFP) is one of the joint research projects under a collaboration agreement for achieving shared goals in the field of astronomy, astrophysics and space science between Korea Astronomy and Space Institute (KASI), a national research institute of Republic of Korea dedicated to astronomy and related research, and the Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science (CRESS), Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, an university incorporated under The York University Act, 1965.  

With the support of KASI and Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, KYFP Program is offered to prominent Korean and/or international scholars at the postdoctoral level to enhance their further research. The KYPF Program is in particular aimed at researchers in the areas of (but not limited to) space weather, planetary science, space payload development, and space engineering. 

Each candidate expected to work equal time at each institution with a minimum of one year of his or her tenure at the York University and the remaining period at KASI.

We encourage applications from broad fields of space science and engineering, although preference will be given to researchers with research interests common to those of KASI and CRESS at Lassonde School of Engineering, and particularly relevant to the following areas: 

- Space Weather

- Planetary science

- Small satellite engineering and payload development

II. Eligibility Requirement 

KASI-York Fellowship Program applicants can be of any nationality and must have obtained their Ph.D. in Earth Science, Atmospheric Science, Astronomy, Space Science, and Space Engineering, or equivalent degree in the related fields.

Applicants must demonstrate his/her strong publication record in relevant prestigious journals and have sufficient conversational ability in English to prevent difficulties during their fellowship periods. The selection process will include an interview during which the candidate’s ability to converse in English will be tested. We reserve the right to request additional English proficiency testing as needed.

III. Duration of Fellowship 

KASI-York Fellowship Program can be on a 1 or 2-year appointment basis, with a possible extension up to a total of 3 years, which shall be determined by an evaluation of his or her research performance before the end of the contracted period. 

IV. Application Procedure 

Applicants should obtain and read carefully the KASI-York Fellowship Program announcement linked in an e-file at pdf@lassonde.yorku.ca or icapadmin@kasi.re.kr. Applications should be submitted by email. Regarding questions related to potential research projects for KYFP, we encourage applicants to contact principal researchers: 

- Dr. Kyungsuk Cho (kscho@kasi.re.kr), Director of Space Science Division, KASI

- Dr. Gunho Sohn (gsohn@yorku.ca), ESSE Department, York University

All application documents must be submitted by May 31, 2017, at the latest. 

V. Required Documents for Application

- Curriculum vitae

- Brief summary of past research or instrumentation experience (1 pg max)

- Detailed future research plan, including objectives, purpose, methodology, content of research, research schedule and expecting research findings (3 pg max) 

- Full list of publications, including detailed information for each

- A minimum of three letters of reference 

- List of potential York and KASI supervisors for the fellowship

Note that application documents should be in A4 and pdf format, and should be submitted through an email appointed by KASI-York Fellowship Program.

- All documents must be typewritten in English. Documents written in any language other than English are not accepted. 

- Submitted applications which are not satisfactory due to an omission of any required documents, accidentally or deliberately, will be automatically rejected. 

- KASI-York Fellowship Program reserves the right to request additional documents if necessary. 

- All documents received will become the property of the KASI-York Fellowship Program and will not be returned to applicants. 

- All applications received will be acknowledged by KASI-York University Secretariat Office. 

VI. Stipend

The annual stipend will start at $60,000 Canadian Dollars depending on qualifications and experience. 

All applicants should be aware of that financial support is solely for individuals and does not cover his/her dependent or family. 

Under no circumstances is any part of the fellowships transferable to any other persons. 

V. KASI and CRESS 

As the national research institute for astronomy since 1974, KASI has carried out research activities, especially by developing, establishing, and operating medium- and large-sized observational facilities and instruments and has laid the foundation for the advance of science. Solidifying scientific capabilities in research and on telescopes, KASI undertakes its efforts toward a higher level of the global network of research cooperation. The three research divisions (Optical Astronomy, Radio Astronomy and Space Science) and the three research centers (Center for Large Telescope, Center for Theoretical Astronomy, Center for SMEs Partnership) have been newly set up, securing spontaneous ideas and each research project and enhancing the cooperation and the flexibility of the researchers. 

KASI space weather group deals with scientific investigations of the Sun-Earth connection, thus studying the solar activity and the physics of Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere by applying experimental and theoretical methods and numerical simulations. Recently, this group started new space projects. One is the small satellite mission named SNIPE (Small scale magNetospheric and Ionospheric Plasma Experiment), and the other is the development of Solar Coronagraph on the ISS (International Space Station). 

KASI planetary science group is one of leading research institutes in South Korea for Korean lunar exploration mission. For supporting this challenging space mission, KASI is developing engineering models of ting-edge space payloads including a near-infrared spectrometer, gamma-ray, and neutron spectrometer. With these payloads, KASI is investigating the presence of water ice on the Moon and physical properties on the surface of the airless body including lunar chronology, space weathering and lunar cratering. 

The Space Astronomy Group research mainly on the Cosmic Infrared backgrounds from the early universe, and Galactic interstellar medium, based on the various observational data obtained in the space. The group has successfully launched several instruments on satellite and rocket: FIMS (Far-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph), MIRIS (Multi-purpose IR Imaging System), CIBER (Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment), and NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history). The group takes part in international space telescope projects such as MESSIER, SPHEREx, and WFIRST, to enhance group’s capability for the long-term goal of building Korean 1m-class space telescope.

More detailed information on KASI can be found: 

The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science (CRESS) is an interdisciplinary research unit in Lassonde School of Engineering at York University. The current areas of research cover a broad range of topics in earth and space science, from geodynamics to the study of the earth's troposphere, the stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere, and the earth's plasma environment. It also includes research on planetary atmospheres, on stars (including the sun), and on the interplanetary medium. CRESS is involved in numerous Canadian, NASA, and international spaceflight projects including the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission for planetary exploration and Phoenix mission to Mars. CRESS involves faculty from the Departments of Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth, and Space Science and Engineering and Physics & Astronomy. Some current highlights include: CSA Group Achievement Award for leadership in the Wind Imaging Interferometer project; M. Richer, graduate student of Professor McCall, nominated for the doctoral thesis prize and awarded the Plaskett Medal of the Canadian Astronomical Society for 1995; NASA Group Achievement Award for contributions to the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite mission; OMEE Award for Excellence in Research and Technology Development to professors Hastie, Shepson and McConnell; Professor Marshall McCall discovers two new galaxies located nearby to our own galaxy, the Milky way. An award from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation to Professor McConnell has provided high-performance computers for atmospheric modeling of air quality, and a laboratory on the roof of the Petrie Science and Engineering Building. A CFI award to Professor Quine has provided space test facilities; a vibration test facility, and a thermal vacuum facility. 

In 2015, CRESS (Professor Michael Daly, York Research Chair in Planetary Science) received more than $1.3 million in funding to build a Canadian Planetary Simulator (CAPS) facility. The Canadian Planetary Simulator will allow the simulation and investigation of extreme terrestrial and other planetary environments as well as the development and testing of instruments suited to these environments. The simulator is the only one of its kind known - a combination of capable integrated instruments with a capable environmental simulator. It will allow Canadian universities to lead high profile research in planetary and instrument science and provide Canadian companies with competitive advantages in the development of instrumentation. Daly will lead a team of scientists from York University, as well as collaborators from eight companies and ten other universities on the project.

Also, the members at the CRESS (Professors Tom McElroy and Regina Lee) receive more than $1.68 million in funding to establish a state-of-the-art research facility for designing, building, characterizing and operating instruments and payloads for sub-orbital missions. The facility will support end-to-end mission development for cost-effective, orbital and sub-orbital platforms: nanosatellites, suborbital rockets, high-altitude balloons, and airplanes. The facility will comprise: (1) a micro-fabrication laboratory optimized for the production of Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) payloads; (2) a payload calibration and flight test-bed for systems integration and space-qualification; and (3) a mission operations center for real-time data analysis, satellite tracking, and communications.

More detailed information on CRESS can be found: