The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) invites applicants for the position of a permanent research scientist in Environmental Geochemistry, Psychrotolerant Plant Biology, Geology, Planetary Geology, Oceanography, and Micropaleontology.

KOPRI performs world-class programs of scientific research, survey and long term observations that require access to the Arctic/Antarctic or related regions in the variety of research fields including atmospheric science, upper atmospheric and space science, biology, oceanography, paleo/cryo-science etc. For these research activities, we are operating two Antarctic stations in the King George Island and Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica, one Arctic station at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, and an Icebreaker. General information for KOPRI can be found at http://www.kopri.re.kr

• The Division of Climate Change investigates the past, present, and future climate changes in Polar Regions. The major research topics include reconstruction of past climate changes based on geological and ice-core records, climate modelling, and observation of atmospheric processes. The candidate is expected to contribute research programs studying the nature of past and present climate system by analyzing the chemical composition of glacio-marine and terrestrial sediments, and the amount and distribution of chemical compounds in earth system.

• Plants in Polar Regions have evolved psychrotolerance overcoming unfavorable environmental conditions, such as freezing temperatures, drought, and high salinity. Some of them have also been suggested as ecological markers of global warming because of their successful adaptation to climate change and rapid spread. Their genetic information provides clues for the evolutionary or geological history of the species, as well as resources for genetic engineering. The Antarctic functional genomics research group at KOPRI is doing research on various Antarctic biota, such as plants, fishes, amphipods, lichens and microorganisms to reveal the adaptation strategy to extreme environment. The successful candidate will be involved in the research projects to elucidate cold-adaptation mechanisms of polar plant genomes, and the comparative analyses by using molecular genetic tools.

• The Division of Polar Earth System Sciences invites applicants in petrology or structural geology. The candidates must have experience with field-based studies and data collection using modern instrumentation. Additional preferred qualification include: 1) ability to manage our Petrology/Geochemistry analytical laboratories. Available equipment are an automated X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, an inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer with eximer 193 nano laser ablation system, an electron probe microanalyzer, scanning electron microscopes and Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS, TRITON) and 2) expertise in structural geology, geological mapping and tectonic processes in a variety of geodynamic settings.

• The Division of Polar Earth System Sciences invites applicants in meteoritics. We seek applicants whose research integrate petrological and cosmochemical data to understand formation and early evolution of our solar system. Research expertise in fields of isotopic properties of the components in chondrites, oxygen isotope heterogeneities in CAIs, time scale of the solar system formation are desirable. Applicants with comparable expertise in other aspects of planetary geology will be considered.

• The Division of Polar Ocean Environment invites applicants in the area of Physical Oceanography (Observational Oceanography). The main duty of a successful candidate will be to observe the physical processes using a variety of oceanographic instruments (e.g., CTD, ADCP) in the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans, and to interpret the field data in relation to changing climates. Previous research experience on sea ice dynamics, ocean circulation and heat fluxes will be a desirable asset.

• Arctic Environment & Resources Research Center seeks applicants in micropaleontology (organic microfossil). Candidates who (1) integrate micropaleontology (organic microfossil) with related fields (e.g. palynology), (2) have research interests centered on time intervals and taxonomic groups that are regionally relevant (Quaternary), and (3) investigate and develop the use of marine-terrestrial organic microfossil/palynomorph in paleoclimate/paleoceanography are particularly encouraged to apply.

To apply, please submit:
1. Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter, Research statement, one letter of reference
2. Publication: At least 1 paper published or accepted by SCI-listed academic journals in the last three years as the first author.
Application Deadline: The full consideration deadline to apply is April 4, 2014 at 18:00, KST
The completed application should be submitted electronically, as a single PDF document, to recruit@kopri.re.kr. Screening of applicants will begin April 9, 2014.
For further information, e-mail at: kimtaewan@kopri.re.kr.
Additional salary information: The range of $48,500 to $57,000 per annum with flexibility for exceptional candidates (this is after taxes)