KAIST professor Jang Seok-bong named 4th president of Institute for Basic Science

The Ministry of Science and ICT said Thursday it is appointing Jang Seok-bong, director of the IBS Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations and distinguished professor of chemistry at KAIST, as the fourth president of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS). His five-year term begins Thursday.

Born in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province in 1962, Jang earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Korea University in 1985, a master's degree in chemistry from KAIST in 1987, and a doctorate from Harvard University in 1996.

Jang is widely regarded as South Korea's foremost authority in organic catalytic chemistry and is recognized internationally as a top-tier researcher. His work on catalytic reactions enabling the efficient synthesis of lactam frameworks, published in the journal Science, has been credited with resolving a challenge that had stumped the field for more than 30 years. He has been named to Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers list — recognizing the world's top 1 percent of researchers — for eight consecutive years, and currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Jang has received numerous honors, including the Korean Chemical Society Academic Award, the Kyungam Academic Award, the Korea Science Award, the Jisak Creative Achievement Award, the KAIST Academic Award, the inaugural Korea-Toray Science and Technology Prize, the Korea's Top Scientist and Technologist Award, and the Samsung Ho-Am Prize. He has also mentored more than 120 master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers.

Jang has led the IBS Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations since the institute launched its first research centers in 2012, making him a figure who has grown alongside IBS throughout its history. His appointment marks the first time an IBS research center director has been elevated to the presidency.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said it expects the appointment of a distinguished scholar who combines academic authority with extensive hands-on research experience to help IBS grow into a world-leading research institution and contribute to the development of South Korea's basic science ecosystem.