Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural and Computational Mechanics at Sejong University Sejong University in South Korea

Sejong University’s Department of Architectural Engineering in Seoul, Republic of Korea is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher for Prof. Dongkyu Lee’s ADOL (Advanced Design Optimization Lab). The position is focused on high-impact, publication-driven research in structural and computational mechanics, topology optimization, multi-physics analysis, physics-informed AI, digital twins, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, and related interdisciplinary topics, including the lab’s PAGS (Pure Anti-Gravity Structure) theory.

The lab describes itself as internationally competitive and collaborative, with more than 100 journal publications and a group of Korean and international master’s and doctoral researchers. The successful candidate is expected to lead original research and target publications in influential engineering journals. The position is especially suitable for researchers who want to combine theory, numerical simulation, programming, and AI-enabled engineering design in an active research environment.

Research themes include structural and computational mechanics; topology and structural optimization; nonlinear, dynamic, buckling, fracture, and multi-physics analysis; finite element and adjoint sensitivity analysis; physics-informed AI and scientific machine learning; digital twins and AI-based engineering design; and advanced materials and additive manufacturing. The advert also welcomes other topics where SCIE journal publication output is feasible.

Funding and employment: This is a full-time temporary postdoctoral appointment for one year, renewable depending on performance and research funding. The salary is stated as KRW 3,500,000 per month before tax (negotiable). The post includes Korea’s four major social insurance programs and statutory severance pay. Additional incentives are offered for eligible publications beyond the annual target, with payments of KRW 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 per paper depending on journal rank. The posting also mentions annual leave arrangements in line with university regulations and research needs.

Publication expectations are unusually demanding: during the one-year contract, the researcher must independently produce at least four SCIE papers in journals ranked in the top 10% of their JCR categories and one to two additional SCIE papers in journals ranked in the top 1% of their JCR categories. The posting notes that the requirement may be flexible for obvious reasons and that accepted/online/formally published papers may be recognized according to the lab’s evaluation criteria.

Eligibility requires a Ph.D. in a relevant field, completed or expected before appointment. Applicants should be able to independently write high-quality English SCIE manuscripts and demonstrate strong expertise in theory, numerical analysis, programming, experimentation, or AI, along with research integrity, responsibility, and active collaboration. Preferred experience includes MATLAB, Python, C++, Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL, topology optimization, finite element analysis, adjoint sensitivity analysis, PINNs, GNNs, Transformers, and surrogate modeling. English proficiency is listed as excellent.

How to apply: Send a curriculum vitae, full publication list, a one-year research and seven-paper publication plan, and your preferred starting date to [email protected]. The posting links to recruitment guidelines and includes the lab website for further information.

Deadline: 30 September 2026 at 18:00 (Asia/Seoul). The start date is negotiable, and the posting indicates 1 December 2026 as the offer starting date.