[WEEKENDER] Iranian physicist turns scientific journey into new life in Korea

Mohammad Mirzaie, an Iranian-born physicist at the Institute for Basic Science, became a Korean citizen after his research contributions and years of family life in Korea. He was one of 30 foreigners granted nationality this year through a special program for outstanding talent. Mirzaie said the 2024 laser experiment he led was a collaborative achievement and called for stronger support for basic science, international researchers and Korea-Iran scientific exchanges.

Mirzaie has lived in Korea since 2019 and obtained permanent residency in 2023 before applying for special naturalization.

He completed four levels of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program and interviewed in Korean as part of the naturalization requirements.

The Gwangju team demonstrated all-optical nonlinear Compton scattering using an ultra-intense laser, with potential applications in studying light and matter under extreme conditions and advancing high-energy photon technology.

Mirzaie said the special naturalization process may require spouses to apply separately, potentially adding years to their path to citizenship.

He proposed Korea-Iran student exchanges, research internships, graduate scholarships and joint research projects.

Published Oct 30, 2026 7:00 am KST

New Korean citizen urges stronger support for basic science, international researchers

Mohammad Mirzaie, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Basic Science, delivers a speech during the Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma Physics in Busan in October. Courtesy of Mohammad Mirzaie

This is the second in a four-part series on people and companies that connect Korea and the world, a special coverage marking The Korea Times' 76th anniversary.

In 2024, a team of physicists in Gwangju used an ultra-intense laser to demonstrate a phenomenon that could reshape our understanding of environments near neutron stars and black holes. The scientist who led the experiment, Mohammad Mirzaie, is now a Korean citizen — one of 30 foreigners granted nationality this year through a special program for outstanding talent.

Mirzaie, an Iranian-born senior research fellow at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), was approved for special naturalization in July in recognition of his contributions to basic science. He has lived in Korea since 2019 and as his children grew up here, what began as a research posting became a permanent home.

"I wanted to take a step of becoming a Korean citizen and make a long-term commitment to the country where our family had established lives," he said in an interview with The Korea Times.

The breakthrough that helped earn him citizenship was years in the making and far from a solo effort. Working with fellow physicists and laser experts, Mirzaie successfully demonstrated all-optical nonlinear Compton scattering using an ultra-intense laser, opening new possibilities for studying how light and matter interact under extreme conditions and potentially advancing high-energy photon technology.

"Korean researchers played a central role in making this breakthrough possible," he said. "It was a genuinely collaborative achievement, bringing together different areas of expertise to investigate a fundamental question in physics."

From Iran to Korea's laser labs

Mirzaie's journey into physics began during his master's studies in electronics engineering in Iran. Reading New Scientist magazine, he became particularly interested in particle accelerators and colliders.

After earning his master's degree and being inspired by the possibility of exploring the fundamental nature of matter, he pursued a doctoral degree at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. There, he became fascinated by laser wakefield acceleration, a technology that uses powerful lasers to accelerate particles over much shorter distances than conventional accelerators.

That interest eventually brought him to Korea in 2019, drawn by the country's advanced research infrastructure. He already knew the IBS' Center for Relativistic Laser Science operated a 4-petawatt laser facility at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. When a position opened for a scientist to work on laser wakefield acceleration and strong-field quantum electrodynamics, he seized the opportunity.

"As an experimental physicist, I look for environments where I can build on my existing experience while expanding into new areas of research," he said. "Korea offered exactly that combination of advanced research infrastructure and challenging scientific opportunities with the possibility of contributing to a rapidly developing field."

Mohammad Mirzaie, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Basic Science, shows his work at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. Courtesy of Mohammad Mirzaie

What it takes to belong in Korea

Mirzaie initially did not plan to stay in Korea for more than a couple of years. But as his children grew up here and his family became more closely connected to Korea, he began to see himself as someone building a long-term life in the country, not just as a researcher on a temporary posting. He obtained permanent residency in 2023 and applied for special naturalization shortly afterward.

"Becoming a Korean citizen through the special naturalization process for outstanding scientific talent gave me a sense of satisfaction," he said. "I felt my research achievements and the efforts I had invested over the years were recognized and appreciated."

However, his journey toward becoming a Korean citizen was not without challenges.

As part of the naturalization requirements, Mirzaie completed four levels of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) and sat for an interview conducted in Korean.

"It is a well-designed program and I found them very useful for handling daily situations that can arise in my own life and within my family," he said, suggesting expanding access to KIIP classes, which can fill up quickly, and providing more flexible self-study materials for those unable to attend regularly.

He also pointed to a structural gap in the system: it does not adequately accommodate the spouses of foreign talent.

"While the applicant and eligible children may obtain citizenship through the special naturalization process, the spouse may need to apply through a separate procedure, which can take additional years," he said.

"Attracting excellent researchers is important, but helping them and their families settle and remain in Korea is also an important part of retaining that talent."

Building Korea’s basic science future

Looking ahead, Mirzaie emphasized the need for sustained government investment in basic science and stronger support for young researchers to enhance Korea's global competitiveness.

While Korea's strength in advanced technologies such as semiconductors has been built on decades of research and development, he noted that basic science requires a different approach, as its outcomes are often unpredictable and may take decades to translate into practical applications.

Attracting young scientists to the field also remains a challenge.

"Technology companies can sometimes offer salaries that are substantially higher than those at research institutions, making the industry a more financially attractive career path for young scientists," he said.

"If Korea wants to build a strong basic science sector, it needs not only to invest in research infrastructure but also to provide competitive career opportunities and stable support for researchers."

Mirzaie also called for a more welcoming environment for international researchers and their families.

While acknowledging Korea's progress in providing English-language assistance at banks and government institutions, he suggested offering clearer information in English on administrative procedures and employment matters, as well as stronger institutional support for relocation, visas and settlement.

"Attracting international talent is not only about offering excellent research facilities and opportunities. It is also about making it easier for researchers and their families to build a life in Korea," he said.

Mohammad Mirzaie, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Basic Science, prepares for an experiment at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in this undated photo. Courtesy of Mohammad Mirzaie

Potential for Korea-Iran scientific ties

Mirzaie believes there is much potential to strengthen scientific exchanges and joint research between Korea and Iran.

"The two countries have a long history of relations, reflected in examples such as Tehran Street in Seoul and Seoul Street in northern Tehran. They have also had economic and commercial ties, providing a historical basis for further exchanges in different fields," he said.

Iran has a large population of university-educated people, about half of whom are women. He sees this pool of talent as an opportunity for greater collaboration in science and technology.

"Universities and research institutions in both countries could establish exchange programs for undergraduate and graduate students, research internships, scholarships for graduate studies and joint research projects involving scientists from both countries," he said.

伊朗裔物理学家穆罕默德·米尔扎伊（Mohammad Mirzaie）在韩国基础科学研究院工作多年，凭借其科研贡献和在韩国多年的家庭生活，入籍韩国。他是今年通过一项杰出人才特别计划获得韩国国籍的30名外国人之一。米尔扎伊表示，他领导的2024年激光实验是一项合作成果，并呼吁加大对基础科学、国际研究人员以及韩伊科学交流的支持力度。

Mirzaie 自 2019 年起居住在韩国，并于 2023 年获得永久居留权，之后申请特殊入籍。

他完成了韩国移民融合计划的四个阶段，并按照入籍要求用韩语参加了面试。

光州团队利用超强激光演示了全光非线性康普顿散射，该技术在研究极端条件下的光和物质以及推进高能光子技术方面具有潜在的应用价值。

米尔扎伊表示，特殊的入籍程序可能要求配偶分别申请，这可能会使他们获得公民身份的时间延长数年。

他提议开展韩伊学生交流、科研实习、研究生奖学金和联合研究项目。

发布于2026年10月30日 上午7:00（韩国标准时间）

新晋韩国公民呼吁加大对基础科学和国际研究人员的支持力度

韩国基础科学研究院高级研究员穆罕默德·米尔扎伊 (Mohammad Mirzaie) 于十月在釜山举行的亚太等离子体物理会议上发表讲话。图片由穆罕默德·米尔扎伊提供。

这是关于连接韩国与世界的人物和公司的四篇系列报道中的第二篇，也是为纪念《韩国时报》创刊 76 周年而推出的特别报道。

2024年，光州的一支物理学家团队利用超强激光展示了一种现象，这种现象可能会彻底改变我们对中子星和黑洞附近环境的认知。领导这项实验的科学家穆罕默德·米尔扎伊（Mohammad Mirzaie）现已成为韩国公民——他是今年通过一项杰出人才特别计划获得韩国国籍的30名外国人之一。

米尔扎伊是伊朗裔的韩国基础科学研究院（IBS）高级研究员，因其对基础科学的贡献，于今年7月获准特别入籍。他自2019年起定居韩国，随着孩子们在这里长大，最初的科研工作最终变成了永久的家。

“我想迈出成为韩国公民的一步，并对我们家族已经安家立业的国家做出长期承诺，”他在接受《韩国时报》采访时说。

这项最终帮助他获得公民身份的突破性成果，并非他一人之力所能及，而是历经数年精心打造。米尔扎伊与物理学家和激光专家合作，利用超强激光成功演示了全光非线性康普顿散射，为研究极端条件下光与物质的相互作用开辟了新的可能性，并有望推动高能光子技术的发展。

他说：“韩国研究人员在促成这一突破中发挥了核心作用。这是一项真正的合作成果，汇集了不同领域的专业知识，共同研究物理学中的一个基本问题。”

从伊朗到韩国的激光实验室

米尔扎伊对物理学的兴趣始于他在伊朗攻读电子工程硕士学位期间。通过阅读《新科学家》杂志，他对粒子加速器和对撞机产生了浓厚的兴趣。

获得硕士学位后，他受到探索物质基本性质的启发，前往中国上海交通大学攻读博士学位。在那里，他对激光尾场加速技术产生了浓厚的兴趣。这项技术利用强大的激光在比传统加速器短得多的距离内加速粒子。

这份兴趣最终促使他在2019年来到韩国，韩国先进的科研基础设施深深吸引了他。他此前已了解到，国际生物科学研究院（IBS）的相对论激光科学中心在光州科学技术院拥有一座4拍瓦的激光装置。当该中心招聘一名从事激光尾场加速和强场量子电动力学研究的科学家时，他毫不犹豫地抓住了这个机会。

“作为一名实验物理学家，我一直在寻找能够让我巩固现有经验并拓展新研究领域的环境，”他说。“韩国恰好提供了这样的条件：先进的研究基础设施、富有挑战性的科研机会，以及为快速发展的领域做出贡献的可能性。”

韩国基础科学研究院高级研究员穆罕默德·米尔扎伊在光州科学技术院展示他的研究成果。图片由穆罕默德·米尔扎伊提供。

如何在韩国找到归属感

米尔扎伊最初并没有计划在韩国待超过几年。但随着孩子们在这里长大，他的家庭与韩国的联系日益紧密，他开始将自己视为在这个国家建立长期生活的人，而不仅仅是一个短期驻外的研究员。他于2023年获得永久居留权，并随后申请了特殊入籍。

“通过杰出科学人才入籍的特殊程序成为韩国公民，让我感到非常满足，”他说。“我感到我的研究成果和我多年来的努力得到了认可和赞赏。”

然而，他成为韩国公民的道路并非一帆风顺。

作为入籍要求的一部分，米尔扎伊完成了韩国移民融合计划 (KIIP) 的四个级别，并参加了用韩语进行的面试。

“这是一个设计精良的项目，我发现它对处理我自己的生活和家庭中可能出现的日常情况非常有用，”他说，并建议扩大 KIIP 课程的招生范围（这些课程很快就会报满），并为那些无法定期参加课程的人提供更灵活的自学材料。

他还指出该体系存在结构性缺陷：它没有充分照顾到外籍人才的配偶。

他说：“虽然申请人及其符合条件的子女可以通过特殊的入籍程序获得公民身份，但配偶可能需要通过单独的程序申请，这可能需要额外的几年时间。”

“吸引优秀的科研人员固然重要，但帮助他们及其家人在韩国安家落户也是留住人才的重要组成部分。”

构建韩国基础科学的未来

展望未来，米尔扎伊强调，政府需要持续投资基础科学，并加大对青年研究人员的支持力度，以增强韩国的全球竞争力。

他指出，虽然韩国在半导体等先进技术领域的优势是建立在数十年的研究和开发之上的，但基础科学需要不同的方法，因为其结果往往是不可预测的，可能需要数十年才能转化为实际应用。

吸引年轻科学家投身该领域仍然是一项挑战。

他说：“科技公司有时提供的薪水比研究机构的薪水高得多，这使得科技行业对年轻科学家来说成为一条更具经济吸引力的职业道路。”

“如果韩国想要建立强大的基础科学产业，不仅需要投资科研基础设施，还需要为研究人员提供有竞争力的职业机会和稳定的支持。”

米尔扎伊还呼吁为国际研究人员及其家人创造更加友好的环境。

他承认韩国在银行和政府机构提供英语服务方面取得了进展，但他建议在行政程序和就业事宜方面提供更清晰的英文信息，并加强对搬迁、签证和定居的制度支持。

他说：“吸引国际人才不仅仅是提供一流的研究设施和机会，还要让研究人员及其家人更容易在韩国安家落户。”

这张未注明日期的照片显示，韩国基础科学研究院高级研究员穆罕默德·米尔扎伊正在光州科学技术院准备一项实验。照片由穆罕默德·米尔扎伊提供。

韩伊科学联系的潜力

米尔扎伊认为，韩国和伊朗在加强科学交流和联合研究方面具有很大的潜力。

他说：“两国关系源远流长，首尔的德黑兰街和德黑兰北部的首尔街就是很好的例子。两国在经济和商业方面也保持着密切联系，为各领域的进一步交流奠定了历史基础。”

伊朗拥有大量受过大学教育的人口，其中约一半是女性。他认为这批人才为加强科学技术领域的合作提供了契机。

他说：“两国大学和研究机构可以建立本科生和研究生交流项目、研究实习项目、研究生奖学金项目以及两国科学家参与的联合研究项目。”