Korean Dictionary
How to say "Postdoc" in Korean
“Postdoc” in Korean is 박사후연구원 (pronounced "Baksahugyeonguuwon").
박사후연구원
Baksahugyeonguuwon
Usage & Context
A researcher with a PhD working in a temporary position. Many Korean scientists work as postdocs in international institutions.
Example Sentence
박사후연구원으로 일하고 있다.
I am working as a postdoc.
How to use 박사후연구원 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Postdoc” is 박사후연구원, romanized as Baksahugyeonguuwon.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 박사후연구원.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "박사후연구원" (Baksahugyeonguuwon) is pronounced "BAHK-sah-hoo-YON-goo-won." "Bak-sa" is like 'BAHK-sah' (as in PhD), "hu" is like 'hoo' (as in 'who'), "yeon" is like 'yawn,' "gu" is like 'goo,' and "won" is like 'wahn' (as in 'want' without the 't'). The stress is on "Bak" and "yeon."
More Example Sentences
A researcher describing their current professional position and location.
저는 현재 미국에서 박사후연구원으로 일하고 있습니다.
I am currently working as a postdoc in the US.
A recent PhD graduate actively seeking employment.
박사후연구원 자리를 찾고 있어요.
I'm looking for a postdoc position.
A professor or team member announcing a new addition to the research group.
우리 연구실에 새로운 박사후연구원이 합류했어요.
A new postdoc joined our lab.
Cultural Context
The 박사후연구원 (baksahugyeonguuwon) position, often shortened to "포닥" (podak) in informal speech, is a common stepping stone for PhD graduates in Korea and globally. It's a period of intensive research and publication, crucial for securing a permanent faculty or senior research position. Many Korean postdocs choose to work abroad to gain international experience and enhance their competitiveness in the highly demanding Korean academic job market.
Editorial note
We review entries like 박사후연구원 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
박사후연구원 과정
postdoc program/period
박사후연구원 채용
postdoc recruitment
포닥 생활
postdoc life (informal, often referring to the challenging lifestyle)
Related Expressions
연구원
Yeonguwon
researcher (general term for a research institute member)
연구교수
Yeongugyosu
research professor (often a more stable, but still temporary, research-focused academic position)
조교수
Jogyesu
assistant professor (entry-level permanent faculty)
인턴
Inteon
intern (temporary, often pre-employment training)
More Science & Research Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Postdoc and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
