InnoCORE Returns in 2026 with Expanded Global Postdoctoral Job Fair

NEW YORK, BOSTON & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 23, 2026--

The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) will host the 2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair in New York, Boston, and Silicon Valley throughout April and May. Building on the success of its inaugural 2025 events, the fair is organized in collaboration with KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST. This premier recruitment series aims to connect outstanding postdoctoral researchers with leading research opportunities in Korea.

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The InnoCORE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, launched in 2025, is a government-backed initiative to recruit outstanding early-career researchers in AI-convergent science and technology (AI+S&T). Following a strong reception in 2025—with over 100 postdoctoral researchers interviewed across three U.S. cities—the program is being significantly expanded in 2026, scaling up from an initial cohort of 400 to approximately 1,000 postdoctoral researchers. This year’s job fair series aims to strengthen Korea’s global talent pipeline and deepen partnerships with leading academic and research institutions worldwide.

Building on 2025: Key Milestones

Since its launch in June 2025, the InnoCORE program has made significant strides in establishing Korea as a competitive destination for global research talent. Through overseas job fairs and recruitment campaigns led by the four institutes, 400 postdoctoral researchers were selected in the program’s inaugural year. Each fellow receives an annual base salary of KRW 90 million (approx. USD 62,000) complemented by KRW 60 million in dedicated research funding. This compensation package is roughly double the average for postdoctoral researchers in Korea, reflecting the government’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent.

Looking ahead, the Korean government is significantly expanding the InnoCORE program in 2026. The recruitment scope has broadened from AI and AI-convergent fields to all National Strategic Technology domains, including semiconductors & displays, next-generation batteries, advanced mobility, nuclear energy, advanced bio, space & aerospace, hydrogen, cybersecurity, AI, next-generation communications, advanced robotics & manufacturing, and quantum technology. Furthermore, the program is being extended beyond the four institutes to include government-funded research institutions (GRIs) and universities.

2026 InnoCORE Global Job Fairs

The 2026 job fairs will be held across three major U.S. innovation hubs. Each event will feature InnoCORE program briefings, research cluster presentations, and on-site interviews conducted directly with Korean research group leaders.

Program Details

Backed by a five-year government investment of approximately USD 465 million, the InnoCORE fellowship offers an annual base salary of USD 62,000, with additional compensation available through research and industry partnerships. Fellows receive full access to Korea’s cutting-edge research infrastructure—including supercomputing systems, semiconductor cleanrooms, and advanced biomedical research facilities. The program also features a multi-mentor system connecting researchers with leading experts from both academia and industry, domestically and internationally.

Research & Recruitment Areas

InnoCORE plans to recruit 400 postdoctoral researchers in total, with 25 positions available per research group across 16 interdisciplinary clusters. These opportunities span four of Korea’s premier science and technology institutes: KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST.

How to Apply

Applicants must hold a PhD in a STEM-related field or be scheduled to obtain their PhD degree by the confirmed appointment date. Detailed information regarding eligibility, specific research groups, and the application process is available on the official InnoCORE website: www.innocore-jobfair.com

Official timeline and guide for InnoCORE (Image: 2026 InnoCORE Global Postdoctoral Job Fair)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center was running out of options Friday evening to keep President Donald Trump's name on the facade of the iconic performing arts venue.

A judge earlier in the afternoon rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the Kennedy Center's operations. The institution appealed that ruling, an effort that was also rebuffed Friday evening.

Scaffolding was erected earlier in the day around a section of the building that includes Trump's name. After a round of storms passed Friday evening, multiple workers were back at the scene further building out the scaffolding in an apparent effort to prepare for removing the letters referencing the president.

Dozens of people gathered in the plaza in front of the Kennedy Center taking pictures and cheering occasionally as workers built the scaffolding.

After ignoring the Kennedy Center for much of his first term, Trump has wielded tremendous influence over the venue during his return to office. Just a month into his second term, he ousted the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a board of trustees that named him chairman. Trump's name was quickly added to the building.

In his ruling that only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center's name, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper also blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations that had been planned to start in July and last for two years.

The Kennedy Center's leadership argued in its appeal Friday that the renovation was badly needed and accused the lower court, in terms that seemed similar to Trump's speech patterns, of interfering in the effort.

“The District Court is not allowing us to close in order to properly fix up and repair the Building, including potentially life threatening structural damage like beams and parking garage ceilings that are rusted, and in serious danger of falling onto people below,” according to the appeal. “Indeed, total collapse!”

Even as the Kennedy Center has fought efforts to remove Trump's name from the building, it has taken steps to comply with Cooper's initial ruling.

A June 4 memo to staff from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel said email signatures, letterhead and other documents must reflect the name as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”

The Kennedy Center’s website has dropped Trump's name. And an earlier email sent to members offering ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony came from the Kennedy Center without including Trump’s name.

Associated Press journalists Anna Johnson, Mark Sherman and Emily Wang in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Workers construct scaffolding at the sign for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Workers construct scaffolding below the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

A worker sits on scaffolding at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)