Seoul National University and Korea Institute of Materials Science Sign MOU to Establish “Materials AI Research Center”
Joint Research on AI-Based Materials and Process Design and Talent Development Planned


▲ (From left) Prof. Ill Ryu, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University; Jongju Na, Director at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS); Prof. In-suk Choi, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, SNU; Baekgyu Choi, Center Director at KIMS; Ho-won Lee, Division Director at KIMS; Chuljin Choi, President of KIMS; Young-oh Kim, Dean of the College of Engineering, SNU; Myoung Gyu Lee, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, SNU; Bok Jik Lee, Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering, SNU; In-ho Jung, Director of the Research Institute of Advanced Materials, SNU; Junwoo Son, Executive Director of the Research Institute of Advanced Materials, SNU; Myungjae Lee, Director of External Affairs, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, SNU; and Sanghyun Park, Chief Administrative Officer at KIMS

Seoul National University College of Engineering announced that Seoul National University (SNU) and the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) plan to establish and operate a “Materials AI Research Center” at both institutions to promote joint research in materials artificial intelligence and to foster outstanding talent in the field.

On January 23, SNU and KIMS signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the College of Engineering on SNU’s Gwanak Campus. The agreement centers on the establishment of the Materials AI Research Center and aims to systematically advance AI-driven research in materials and process design across all areas of metals and materials science, while securing top-tier talent in related fields.

The signing ceremony was attended by key representatives from both institutions, including Young-oh Kim, Dean of the SNU College of Engineering; Bok Jik Lee, Associate Dean for Research; In-ho Jung, Director of the Research Institute of Advanced Materials; Junwoo Son, Executive Director; Myungjae Lee, Director of External Affairs; Myoung Gyu Lee, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Prof. In-suk Choi; Prof. Ill Ryu; and from KIMS, Chuljin Choi, President; Ho-won Lee, Division Director; Baekgyu Choi, Center Director; Jongju Na, Director; and Sanghyun Park, Chief Administrative Officer.

Immediately following the signing ceremony, a plaque unveiling ceremony for the Materials AI Research Center was held at the SNU Research Institute of Advanced Materials, formally announcing the launch and full-scale operation of the center.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will promote joint research projects integrating AI technologies into all aspects of materials and process development. They will conduct collaborative studies linking experimental work, theoretical research, and model development. In addition, SNU faculty members and KIMS researchers plan to work closely together in planning large-scale research projects and establishing mid- to long-term strategic research directions.

The partnership also includes expanding reciprocal research exchanges between SNU graduate students and KIMS researchers during project implementation. Through joint seminars and visiting research programs, the two institutions aim to cultivate advanced research personnel in the field of materials AI. They also plan to actively promote employment-linked recruitment and personnel exchanges for master’s- and doctoral-level researchers trained through these collaborative projects.

Young-oh Kim, Dean of the SNU College of Engineering, stated, “This agreement marks an important starting point for generating synergy in the field of materials AI based on the core competencies of SNU and KIMS,” adding, “By combining the university’s strengths in fundamental research with the applied and demonstration capabilities of a government-funded research institute, we will build a sustainable research ecosystem and contribute meaningfully to strengthening national competitiveness in materials technologies.”

Chuljin Choi, President of KIMS, commented, “AI-based research and talent cultivation are essential for advancing the materials industry,” adding, “This collaboration with SNU is expected to establish a strategic hub for materials AI research and elevate the competitiveness of Korea’s materials research ecosystem to the next level.”


▲ (From left) Chuljin Choi, President of the Korea Institute of Materials Science, and Young-oh Kim, Dean of the College of Engineering, Seoul National University

[Contact Information]
In-ho Jung, Director of the Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University / +82-2-880-7077 / in-ho.jung@snu.ac.kr