Post-Retirement Career Development for Researchers: The Case of Innopolis, South Korea

In South Korea, one of the most rapidly ageing countries, increasing numbers of retired researchers has become an emerging challenge. This paper would introduce three programmes run by the Korea Innovation Foundation to support post-retirement career development of researchers. First, from 2011 to 2014, annually six to seven retired researchers worked as technological advisors for small and medium sized enterprises through Innopolis Technology Search Desk. Second, the New Middle Age Employment Support Programme has been connecting retired researchers with regional SMEs through a Tech Doctor Training Centre, an SME Support Centre, and Tech Clinic Centres. The programme has induced more than 500 tech-consultation projects since 2018. Finally, Research Spin-off Company Building Programme has been focusing on entrepreneurship training of retired researchers since 2022. It facilitates retired researchers’ transition to the founders of research spin-off companies. These programmes show that our effort to support retired researchers has persistently evolved over time.