[DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee] The government is again seeking a person in charge to lead the K-Moonshot project’s AI Scientist field.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Council of Science and Technology said on Thursday they will publicly recruit a project director (PD) to oversee the K-Moonshot project’s AI Scientist mission.

K-Moonshot is a nationwide project to introduce AI into science and technology to double research productivity by 2030 and to solve 12 national missions needed to strengthen national competitiveness by 2035. It consists of missions by field, including new drug development, brain-computer interface (BCI), nuclear fusion, space, physical AI, semiconductors and quantum technology.

The AI Scientist mission aims to develop AI that autonomously carries out the full research cycle by 2035, including forming hypotheses, designing and verifying experiments, analysis and generating research outcomes.

The ministry launched the K-Moonshot steering group in May and appointed 12 PDs for each mission. The position became vacant after Min-hyung Lee (이민형), head of Asteromorph, resigned in June.

The newly selected PD will be responsible for drawing up the mission roadmap, planning key research and development (R&D) projects, identifying technology gaps, securing budgets, and selecting, evaluating and managing projects. The PD will also lead the full process to achieve the mission, including commercialising research outcomes, spin-offs, and coordinating cooperation among relevant ministries, dedicated agencies, and industry, academia and research institutions.

Applications are open until Aug. 24. The ministry and the council plan to make a final selection and appointment in September after evaluations.

The selected PD will be appointed as a national special research fellow of the council and will serve until July 2029. Detailed eligibility requirements and required documents can be checked on the council’s website.