POSTECH will undergo a major transition in the tenure system from this academic year. Professors will be weeded out once they fail the screening for promotion to associate professor and tenure after being given a year of probation. The evaluation includes a measure of talent and achievements of relevant faculty against those of three to five professors from the world’s top 20 universities in the related field. This reformed system is identical to that of Harvard University.

According to the new tenure system, both assistant and associate professors must be subject to the tenure evaluation in 7 years of their acceptance to POSTECH. They will not be hired once they fail the test. Recruited assistant professors are appointed only for five  years and after promoted to associate professor they need to be examined for tenureship in three years.

Unlike the existing system, associate professors can establish tenure in advance of an average of four years. As a result, professors with tenure can maximize their capabilities in a more stable environment and the untenured faculty can venture for a new career at an early stage. Newly selected teaching staff will be provided with exceptional support in terms of research expenses and resources from the university. This particular offer is to promote the creation of professors with early tenure.

Until now there has been no substantial tenure evaluation at POSTECH. Most universities in Korea, including POSTECH, have their associate professors receive tenure at the same time as their promotion to professorship. Currently associate professors do not have a fixed period of office so even if the tenure is not received they can sign a new contract.