SEOUL — A graduate of Pohang University of Science and Technology (Postech) will become the youngest full-time professor at a renowned U.S. university this coming fall semester.
The graduate is Son Young-jun, 26, who has been assigned to teach computer integration production systems at the graduate department of systems and industrial engineering, University of Arizona, from August.
A Postech spokesman said that Son will be the youngest full-time professor since the department was inaugurated at the U.S. university.
Son graduated from the science division of Taegu High School as the top academic performer in 1992 and the industrial engineering department of Postech also as top performer in 1996.
Son entered the State University of Pennsylvania in August 1996, and completed his master’s degree and doctorate in four years. He is scheduled to receive a doctorate from the university in August.
The spokesman said Son will be paid an annual salary of $76,000 along with a research and settlement cost of $80,000. He will be entitled to full tenure or lifetime post after his research performance is screened in four to five years.
It is reported that Dr. Son had been offered professorships from six or seven U.S. universities but has chosen the University of Arizona due to better terms.
Son, now living in Tucson, Arizona, has been working as a guest researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the wing of the U.S. Department of Commerce.