★ Group name : K-ResearChain: From Lab Culture to Career Paths

★ Leader : Hosoowi Lee (Research Professor (Ewha Womans University / Nano-Bio·Energy Materials Center)

★ Schedule(Regular Meeting)

- Once a month (Saturdays)

- July 18 (Sat), Aug 8 (Sat), Aug 29 (Sat), Sept 12 (Sat), Oct 17 (Sat), Nov 14 (Sat)

★ Meeting Location(Regular Meeting)

Seminar room in Seoul

(Specific location subject to coordination among members within Seoul)

1. What is the purpose of this Group?

“A Community for Research Career Development and R&D Networking in Korea”

The K-ResearChain club aims to provide international researchers and graduate students with deep insights into the Korean research environment and lab culture. Our mission is to help members map out tangible post-Ph.D. career trajectories and foster long-term, cross-border R&D collaboration networks.

By sharing practical survival guides for Korean labs, grant/proposal-writing strategies, and comprehensive career roadmaps, this club serves as a strategic launchpad. We empower international researchers to settle smoothly into the Korean R&D ecosystem while building a sustainable, multidisciplinary global community for mutual growth.

2. Who is the group leader?

"Leveraging my postdoc experience in France to guide international researchers through the Korean R&D ecosystem.“

After earning my Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yonsei University in South Korea, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institut Charles Sadron, an affiliate of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). This invaluable opportunity allowed me to experience diverse global research environments and build international networks firsthand.

Currently, I am a Research Professor (Senior Researcher) in the Department of Chemistry and Nano-science at Ewha Womans University. Here, I lead independent research projects funded by the Sejong Science Fellowship, spearhead international collaborative research with overseas teams including Singapore, and teach undergraduate major courses.

Having experienced both domestic and international research frontiers, I deeply resonate with the practical challenges that foreign researchers and graduate students face in Korea—ranging from the unique lab culture and funding systems to academic communication styles. I am eager to fully share my expertise in securing research grants, writing proposals, and mapping out career paths to help them grow into key players in the Korean R&D ecosystem.

Through this club, I look forward to connecting international researchers who are navigating unfamiliar environments, helping them break down barriers, and building a robust network that drives impactful global R&D collaborations.

[Affiliation / Title]

Research Professor, Department of Chemistry and Nano-science, Ewha Womans University

[Degree / Major]

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Yonsei University

[Research Fields & Expertise]

Organic Chemistry & Nano-science

3. Who would you like to be part of this group with?

“From navigating lab culture to securing independent research grants, we are looking for fellows to build up their careers together.”

- Overcoming Cultural Barriers: Those who want to break through cultural walls within unfamiliar Korean labs, communicate confidently with professors and peers, and position themselves as key researchers.

- Proactive Career Mapping: Those navigating post-Ph.D. pathways—such as postdocs, research professors, or positions at national research institutes—and looking to design their career roadmaps in advance.

- Mastering R&D Funding: Those who wish to master Korea’s complex R&D funding systems and share practical proposal-writing insights to fully establish themselves as independent researchers.

- Open to All Disciplines: There are no restrictions on fields of study. Anyone who wants to turn their research experience in Korea into a powerful asset and build a borderless global R&D network is more than welcome.

4. What aspects can I discuss and develop by participating?

“Developing customized Korean R&D career roadmaps and a tailored 'Survival Kit' for each participant”

- Navigating Lab Culture & Enhancing Communication: Cultivating a seamless communication style and understanding workflow dynamics with professors and peers to create an optimal, immersive research environment.

- Mastering R&D Systems for Independent Research: Gaining a comprehensive understanding of Korea’s major research project frameworks and funding ecosystems, while acquiring practical know-how in proposal preparation and project execution.

- Postdoctoral Career Mapping & Diverse Pathway Exploration: Analyzing the distinct features of various career paths—including academia, national research institutes, and corporate labs—to establish concrete survival strategies after the Ph.D.

- Securing Sustainable Global Collaborative Networks: Fostering interdisciplinary exchanges to build long-term R&D partnerships that extend far beyond a one-time gathering.

5. Tentative Schedule

※ The schedule is subject to change.