Byeongho Ahn in South Korea

We're featuring alumni from all over the world from A to Z. Our next stop is in South Korea with Byeongho Ahn, a postdoctoral researcher at the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET).

ByeonghoAhn (ETH-doctoral defense)

What country are you currently living in, and what motivated your decision to move there?

After defending my doctoral dissertation at ETH Zurich, I had to return to South Korea to fulfill my mandatory military service. For most South Korean men, this typically means serving in the army, air force, or navy. However, those with advanced academic degrees—like a PhD—can apply for a limited number of research-focused roles at government-affiliated institutions. I was fortunate to be selected and have been working as a researcher at the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology. This three-year service will conclude this August.

This chapter of my life has come with some sacrifices—most notably, living apart from my wife, who works in Europe. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel: I recently received a job offer from Germany, and I’m truly excited about returning to Europe and reuniting with her. It feels like I’m about to close one important chapter and begin another.

Can you describe a typical day in your life?

My day starts early—at 5:30 AM—with a gym session. This habit traces back to my time in Switzerland, where ETH Zurich introduced me to early morning ASVZ classes and the value of staying active for both brain and soul. Afterwards, I have a breakfast I still consider very Swiss: muesli with yogurt and fruit—something I’ve kept in my routine ever since.

Work culture in Korea is quite different. I work from 9 to 6 with a strict time-stamping system to log start and end times. If I’m even one minute late, that time—usually rounded to 30-minute increments—is deducted from my vacation allowance. Likewise, I can’t leave even a minute early unless I’ve officially used vacation hours or compensated by working extra hours on other days. The 40-hour workweek is strictly enforced.

During the day, my life resembles that of a typical postdoctoral researcher: I supervise 4–5 master’s and doctoral students and manage several research projects. What’s unique here is that our projects are closely aligned with national industrial goals—especially in the fields of semiconductors and future mobility. The work is driven not just by scientific curiosity, but also by the government’s priorities for economic and technological growth.

ByeonghoAhn (with wife in Switzerland)

How has the country you're living in influenced your daily life?

During my six years in Zurich, I became very used to a strong do-it-yourself mindset—whether it was cooking, laundry, fixing things, or managing health concerns.

In Korea, daily life is much more service-oriented and accessible. For instance, I’m no longer hesitant to visit a doctor, specialist, or dentist right away, thanks to our national health insurance system and the relatively low costs for treatment and prescriptions. Back in Switzerland, I would usually consult a pharmacist first unless it was something more serious.

Everyday conveniences are also quite different. In Korea, 24/7 convenience stores are always within walking distance, and large supermarkets stay open late—even on Sundays, from 10 AM to 11 PM. Services like laundry are incredibly affordable too—I can have a shirt washed and ironed for the equivalent of 1 CHF. And if I order something online, it’s often delivered to my doorstep the very next morning.

Of course, this level of convenience also reflects a reality: many service workers here might be underpaid and may work long hours.

What is your current job, and what does your typical workday look like?

I currently work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), where I’m also completing my alternative military service. My main responsibility is to lead several government-funded R&D projects in collaboration with master's and doctoral students. The focus of our research is on developing ceramic substrates that are both thermally conductive and electrically insulating—key components in power modules for electric vehicles. We design and optimize ceramic materials through composition tuning, microstructure control, and selection of reinforcements, with the goal of improving performance and reliability for industrial application.

My typical workday is a blend of hands-on research, supervision, and project coordination. I spend time reviewing experimental results, guiding students in their lab work, and preparing project documentation for our funding agencies. Because the projects are closely tied to national strategic industries like semiconductors and future mobility, there’s a strong emphasis on technology transfer. This means the research must be practical, scalable, and ready for industrial uptake.

Byeongho Ahn (Korea-Work)

Were there specific courses or activities during your time at ETH that have proven to be particularly valuable for you?

During my master’s and doctoral studies in process engineering at ETH Zurich, I found nearly every course to be of exceptional quality—useful, inspiring, and rigorous. Courses like Modeling and Mathematical Methods for Process and Chemical Engineers, Homogeneous Reaction Engineering, and Applied Statistical Regression were especially impactful. They combined applied mathematics and computer programming with step-by-step exercise sessions led by talented teaching assistants. Coming from a materials science background with no prior programming experience, I was initially unsure of my technical footing. But thanks to the structured and supportive teaching environment, I graduated with confidence in solving engineering problems and performing data analysis.

One of the most formative experiences during my time at ETH was working with my doctoral thesis supervisor. Observing his scientific rigor, perspective on research, and approach to both self- and group management gave me a lasting role model. The way he conducted himself—thoughtful, precise, and deeply committed—left a strong impression on me. Many of the lessons I learned under his mentorship are things I now try to pass on to my own students.

What is a "typical" word of the country?

A uniquely Korean word I find fascinating is nunchi (눈치). It roughly translates to the ability to read the room—to pick up on unspoken cues, social context, and the emotions of others. It’s not just about being observant; it’s about responding appropriately, with sensitivity and timing.

In Korean society, where harmony and indirect communication are often valued, nunchi is an essential social skill. Whether in professional settings or everyday life, having good nunchi means you understand when to speak, when to hold back, and how to act in ways that consider others around you. It’s hard to translate directly, but once you’ve lived in Korea, you feel just how important—and subtle—it really is.

What’s your favorite traditional dish?

One of my favorite traditional dishes is samgyetang—a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, jujube, and ginseng, simmered into a nourishing soup. It’s typically eaten during the hottest days of summer as a way to restore energy and stamina, following the Korean belief that you fight heat with heat.

For me, samgyetang isn’t just healthy—it’s deeply comforting. It’s the kind of dish that slows you down, both in how it’s prepared and how it’s eaten. And it’s a great example of how food in Korea is often about balance: between nutrition and tradition, strength and comfort.

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