Ph.D. Program Students

• Start Date: Fall 2026
• Application Deadline: April 07, 2026, 5:30 PM (KST)

Position Description

We are looking for highly motivated Ph.D. students to join our research team in Graduate School of Culture Technology at KAIST. Successful candidates will work on projects related to musical sound synthesis, instrument emulation, instrument design, and other related topics in the field of music and culture technology. Students will have opportunities to publish in international journals or top conferences, collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers, and develop advanced computational and experimental skills.

Expectations

• Ph.D. students are expected to conduct independent research under the guidance of the advisor, and to contribute to the lab’s research projects.
• Ph.D. students are expected to publish multiple of their research findings in international journals and conferences, and to present their work at academic events.
• Please check the course requirements for the degree program here.

Requirements

• A master’s degree or be expected to receive one by the time of enrollment.
• Applicants with a background in music, computer science, engineering, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a passion for music and sound, and a desire to explore the intersection of music and technology.
• Applicants from the following fields are especially encouraged to apply:
  • Culture Technology (or similar interdisciplinary programs)
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Music Technology

Funding and Benefits

• Funded with monthly stipend plus incentive
  • Korean Students: Please see here.
  • International Students: KAIST Scholarship provides
    • Full tuition coverage
    • National health insurance, and
    • Monthly stipend.

    Please find more info from here.

• Personal office space and access to lab resources and facilities.
• Most graduate students can live in on-campus housing if they wish. Separate apartments are provided for married students.

Application Process

• To apply for the Ph.D. position, it is highly advised to first contact me with your interest.
  • To do this, please email me before submitting your application to the KAIST CT admissions office. This will allow us to have a preliminary discussion about potential research opportunities and how your interests align with the lab’s focus.
  • Please feel free to utililze this checklist while contacting me. It is not mandatory, but it can help you organize your thoughts and provide me with a clearer picture of your background and interests.
  • You can submit your application to the KAIST CT admissions office even if you haven’t contacted me beforehand (or if you haven’t heard back from me since you’ve emailed), but I highly recommend reaching out to me first to ensure that we are on the same page regarding your research interests and potential fit with the lab.
  • NOTE: I do not have @kaist.ac.kr email yet. You can send me your email to @mit.edu email address at this moment. You can find my email from here (click ‘unscramble email’ button).

• KAIST admission process timeline (KST = UTC+9)

  • Korean applicants:
    1. Application Submission : March 27th (Friday) - April 7th (Tuesday)
    2. First Round Result Announce: May 14th (Thursday) 2:00 PM
    3. Second Stage Screening : May 16th (Friday) - May 26th (Tuesday)
    4. Final Result Announce : June 25th (Thursday) 2:00 PM
  • International applicants:
    1. Application Submission : March 3rd, 10 AM - March 17th, 5 PM, 2026
    2. Letter of Recommendation Submission: March 24th, 6 P.M. 2026
• Please refer to this link for the application process and required documents for GSCT. Here are admission process and FAQ and scholarship info for international applicants.
• Quick link to the application portal