6 Healthy Laboratories Selected to "Boost Morale of Young Scientists"

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The government announced on the 9th the selection of six laboratories with a healthy research environment that supports the growth of young scientists. A healthy laboratory refers to a lab that excels in lab management, research culture, and research outcome management to boost the morale of young scientists.

This year, the healthy laboratories were selected through a review process from 46 nominated labs (20 universities). The selected labs are the Semiconductor Process Diagnosis Laboratory (Myongji University), Industrial Environmental Health Laboratory (Seoul National University), Environmental Restoration Engineering Laboratory (Chonbuk National University), Materials Processing and Integrated Biosystems Laboratory (Pohang University of Science and Technology), Liver Disease Laboratory (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), and Marine Acoustics Engineering Laboratory (Hanyang University).

The Semiconductor Process Diagnosis Laboratory at Myongji University was chosen as a healthy laboratory for activating industry-academia cooperation and focusing on students' employment and career guidance. In particular, this lab aims for a free culture that embraces various majors.

The Industrial Environmental Health Laboratory at Seoul National University was selected because it professionally manages safety by thoroughly identifying and controlling lab hazards in advance. This lab fosters a humane research culture through events such as Culture Day and workshops.

The Environmental Restoration Engineering Laboratory at Chonbuk National University received high marks for being equipped with safety-related facilities and equipment and actively encouraging interaction between seniors and juniors by hosting alumni homecoming days.

The Materials Processing and Integrated Biosystems Laboratory at Pohang University of Science and Technology supervises the research progress of all researchers weekly and manages external awards. It also promotes a horizontal culture through regular physical activities and daily morning tea time. The Liver Disease Laboratory at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has won awards at the research notebook competition for two consecutive years and ensures convenience by continuously managing graduates' careers for career guidance and exempting affiliated researchers from administrative tasks. The Marine Acoustics Engineering Laboratory at Hanyang University provides welfare benefits that students can feel, such as 20 days of annual leave and meal allowances for overtime work.

Minister of Science and ICT Choi Ki-young stated, "To enable young scientists to grow and produce world-class research outcomes, establishing a healthy research culture must come first," adding, "Since the answer to how to create healthy laboratories can be found directly in the field, the government will strive to discover and spread excellent cases of healthy laboratories in the future."