KSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Study of Inequality & Social Policy in Korea
March 2020-February 2022, with a possible extension through November 2023
The KSPS-Gachon Korea Inequality Research Lab invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in the study of inequality and social policy in Korea in comparative perspective. This is a full‐time, temporary appointment to begin March 1, 2020. The fellowship period is two years (through February 28, 2022), but it can be extended until November 2023.
The fellowship is open to scholars from all fields of social science who conducts research on the measurements, causes, consequences, or remedies (social policy) of inequality with a regional focus on Korea. We are particularly interested in scholars working on the effects of social policy (in a broad sense, including taxes, welfare programs, and education) on inequality and poverty. The purpose of the fellowship is to enable the continuation of research and publication, with an emphasis of publication of SSCI journal articles and/or a monograph which could be developed from the fellow’s dissertation.
Qualifications
At a minimum, the applicant should hold a Ph.D. before commencing the fellowship. The starting date of the fellowship can be negotiated if the candidate is expected to get a Ph.D. in a few months. Desirable qualifications include quantitative skills and the ability to speak, read, and write in English and Korean with a professional working proficiency.CompensationThe selected fellow will receive a monthly stipend of KRW 3,600,000 with a slight annual pay raise and with employer contributions to four social insurances and retirement grant.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit the following to kirl.re.kr@gmail.com with the subject line to read “Postdoc_applicant name”:
1). Cover letter to the Search Committee indicating interest in the position (not more than two pages, single spaced).2). Curriculum vitae.3). Dissertation abstract.4). Research statement. Please include the research that would be accomplished during the fellowship period.5). Writing sample. A chapter of the dissertation or a journal article (not necessarily published; “under review” is fine), not more than 40 pages.6). Two letters of recommendation. The applicant must request that the referees (or the dossier service) email the recommendation letters directly to kirl.re.kr@gmail.com.7). High‐quality copies or scans of transcripts showing degrees and coursework.
The closing date for applications is January 31, 2019.Inquiries may be directed to the Search Committee chair, Professor Jong-sung You, at youjs0721@gachon.ac.kr.
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About the The KSPS-Gachon Korea Inequality Research Lab (KIRL):
The KSPS-Gachon Korea Inequality Research Lab (KIRL) was initially launched in December 2018, with a generous five-year grant (December 10, 2018-December 09, 2023) from the Korean Studies Promotion Service at the Academy of Korean Studies. The lab is committed to developing new theories and empirical findings on the causes and consequences of inequality and proposing alternative social policies.
For this purpose, the lab promotes collaborative research among 15 top-level domestic and international scholars.
The projects in the lab address four aspects of economic inequality: measurement, causes, consequences and remedies. First, the lab will supplement existing measures of income and wealth inequality, particularly by developing the Distributional National Accounts which combine existing measures of inequality and National Accounts. Secondly, the lab will examine how changes in economic conditions, which often accompany the transformation of labor markets, political institutions and policy choices and the welfare state regime, have affected economic inequality in Korea. Third, the lab explores the political and social consequences of deepening economic inequality in terms of political preferences and behavior of the public. Finally, the lab explores alternative social policies to reduce inequality through the welfare and tax system.
During the five-year research period and an additional three-year period for publication, the lab plans to publish ten monographs with major academic presses and 38 articles in SSCI-indexed journals.
This fellowship is funded by a Laboratory Program for Korean Studies grant from the Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies. The purpose of the Laboratory Program is to strengthen global competitiveness of Korean Studies by drawing Korean Studies research outcomes through world-class domestic and international Korean Studies researchers.