Bukyoung Jhun

Biography

My research focuses on the inference and reconstruction of complex networks. I am currently working with Prof. Tiago P. Peixoto on these topics in the Inverse Complexity Lab. I also investigate epidemiological processes in networks and nonequilibrium phase transitions & critical phenomena in complex networks.

I received my Ph.D. in Physics in August 2023 at Seoul National University with a thesis titled “Prediction and control of epidemics and avalanche dynamics in complex networks” (supervisor: Prof. Byungnam Kahng).

Positions

  • 2026.04 – Present
    Postdoctoral Researcher Center for Critical Computational Studies, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt
  • 2024.10 – Present
    Visiting Researcher Department of Network and Data Science, Central European University
  • 2024.10 – 2026.04
    Postdoctoral Researcher IT:U – Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria
  • 2023.10 – 2024.09
    Postdoctoral Researcher Department of Network and Data Science, Central European University

Education

  • Ph.D. in Physics, Seoul National University (2023.08)

  • M.S. in Physics, Seoul National University (2019.08)

  • B.S. in Physics (sub-major: Mathematics), Seoul National University (2017.02)

Awards and Scholarships

  • Gold medal, 40th International Physics Olympiad

  • Talent Medal of Korea (Presidential Award)

  • Gyeonggi-do Global Talent Award

  • Presidential Science Scholarship

  • Brain Korea 21 Plus Scholarship (multiple awards)

  • Next Generation Researchers Global Postdoctoral Fellowship (National Research Foundation of Korea)

  • Young Statistical Physicist Award (Korean Physical Society)

Journal Publications

  1. Yongsun Lee, Hoyun Choi, Laurent Pagnier, Cook Hyun Kim, Jongshin Lee, Bukyoung Jhun, Heetae Kim, Jürgen Kurths, B. Kahng, “Reinforcement learning optimizes power dispatch in decentralized power grid,” Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 186, 115293 (2024).

  2. Minjae Jo, Bukyoung Jhun, B. Kahng, “Resolving mean-field solutions of dissipative phase transitions using permutational symmetry,” Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 173, 113705 (2023).

  3. Bukyoung Jhun, Hoyun Choi, Yongsun Lee, Jongshin Lee, Cook Hyun Kim, B. Kahng, “Prediction and mitigation of nonlocal cascading failures using graph neural networks,” Chaos 33 (1), 013115 (2023).

  4. Bukyoung Jhun, Hoyun Choi, “Abrupt transition of the efficient vaccination strategy in a population with heterogeneous fatality rates,” Chaos 32 (9), 093140 (2022).

  5. Bukyoung Jhun, Minjae Jo, B. Kahng, “Quantum contact process on scale-free networks,” Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 160, 112262 (2022).

  6. Bukyoung Jhun, “Topological analysis of the latent geometry of a complex network,” Chaos 32 (1), 013116 (2022).

  7. Bukyoung Jhun, “Effective epidemic containment strategy in hypergraphs,” Phys. Rev. Res. 3 (3), 033282 (2021).

  8. Bukyoung Jhun, Minjae Jo, B. Kahng, “Simplicial SIS model in scale-free uniform hypergraph,” J. Stat. Mech.: Theory Exp 2019 (12), 123207 (2019).

  9. Bukyoung Jhun, Youngseok Jhun, Seung-wook Kim, JungHyun Han, “Numerical Calculation of Non-uniform Magnetization Using Experimental Magnetic Field Data,” J. Korean Phys. Soc. 72, 1058 (2018).

  10. Bukyoung Jhun, Cheol-Hwan Park, “Electronic structure of charged bilayer and trilayer phosphorene,” Phys. Rev. B 96, 085412 (2017).

Invited Talks

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Minimum Description Length-Based Network Reconstruction and the Limitations of Heuristic Methods,” Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) (2026.06).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Scalable Hyperbolic Embedding and its Applications,” KIAS School of Computational Sciences (2026.06).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Network inference from dynamical observations,” Seoul National University Data Science Lab (2024.11).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Inference of the underlying network structure from observed dynamics,” Complex Systems Research Exchange (2024.11).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Inference of the underlying network structure of dynamical processes,” Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) Grid Modernization Group Seminar (2024.10).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Inference of macroscopic organization of complex networks via Bayesian approach,” Korean Physical Society fall meeting (2024.10).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Inference and reconstruction of latent macroscopic structure in complex networks,” KIAS School of Computational Sciences Seminar (2024.03).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Prediction and Control of Epidemics and Avalanche Dynamics in Complex Networks,” Complexity Science Hub (CSH) Seminar (2024.02).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Dynamics and control of higher-order epidemics,” KIAS-Vermont workshop (2023.03).

  • Bukyoung Jhun, “Topological analysis of latent geometry of complex networks,” Workshop on Topological Data Analysis (2023.02).

Professional Services

  • Program Committee Chair (Basic Science), European-Korean Conference on Science and Technology (EKC2026), Toulouse, France (2026.07)

  • Organizing Committee, Austria–Korea Scientific Collaboration: Past Achievements and Future Prospects (2025.10)

  • Local Organizing Committee Chair, European-Korean Conference on Science and Technology (EKC2025), Vienna, Austria (2025.08)

Referee Services

IEEE Access, Nature Communications, Chaos, Scientific Reports, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics