Open to opportunities

Khun Byun

@khunbyun

Message

I am a political scientist and data analyst specializing in elections and public policy.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek research-driven roles combining quantitative analysis and political expertise in think tanks, government, or international organizations where I can apply NLP, econometrics, and field experience to inform electoral and governance policy.

I am completing an M.A. in Social Science with a concentration in Political Science, focusing on political survival after executive corruption scandals in security-sensitive democracies. My thesis examines threat internalization in South Korea and Israel and builds on comparative process tracing and large-scale text analysis.

I combine quantitative methods and computational tools: I used NLP on 50,000+ articles, constructed original county- and panel-level datasets, and built an R-based predictive model that placed third in prediction accuracy for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. At Tufts I led econometric analyses on mobile banking adoption in Nigeria, using STATA and large survey datasets.

I bring applied policy and operational experience from an Administrative Officer role at a consulate—earning an A rating—and from supervising overseas polling operations and military leadership in field artillery units. I am skilled in STATA, R, Tableau, LaTeX, NLP, econometrics, and data visualization, and I work fluently in English and Korean.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Administrative Officer

Consulate General of South Korea in Chicago

Jan 2023 - Jan 2024 (1 year)

Received an A rating in the 2023 internal performance evaluation and supervised overseas polling operations in Detroit for Korea's 2024 National Assembly election. Evaluated U.S. mail-in voting systems, led coordination with the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, and researched legal cases to resolve consular disputes.

Consular Operations Election Coordination Legal Research Stakeholder Engagement Project Management Cross Cultural Communication Policy Analysis

Research Contributor

International Labour Organization (Better Work Initiative)

Jan 2022 - May 2022 (4 months)

Built a panel dataset covering 300+ factories and applied DiD and propensity score matching to evaluate labor rights compliance, informing policy recommendations. Assisted report preparation and presented findings on workplace satisfaction and employer-employee relations.

Difference In Differences Stata Data Cleaning Policy Analysis Report Writing Presentation

Market Analyst Intern

Seokeun Art Foundation

Jan 2021 - Dec 2021 (11 months)

Conducted market research and visitor-data analysis to inform exhibition topics and schedules, producing internal reports and program recommendations. Prepared legal forms and proposed promotional strategies to increase public awareness and attendance.

Market Research Data Analysis Report Writing Program Evaluation Documentation Excel

Sergeant

KATUSA (Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army)

Jan 2015 - Jan 2017 (2 years)

Operated and maintained Paladin howitzers to support combat readiness and coordinated fire missions with U.S. units. Led and supervised a 20-person platoon, providing logistical and tactical support during multi-unit exercises.

Field Artillery Weapons Maintenance Fire Mission Coordination Platoon Leadership Training

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Chicago

Master of Arts in Social Science, Political Science

Activities and societies: Thesis: Who Survives Political Scandal? Threat Internalization in South Korea and Israel; Thesis Advisor: Robert A. Pape.

Master of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Political Science; thesis examined who survives political scandal in South Korea and Israel under advisor Professor Robert A. Pape.

The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, Development Economics & International Political Economy

2020 - 2023

Activities and societies: Capstone: Determinants of Mobile Banking Adoption and Its Impact on Savings: Case of Nigeria; Capstone Advisor: Jenny C. Aker; Cross-registered at Harvard (Spring 2022).

Completed a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy with concentrations in Development Economics and International Political Economy; capstone analyzed determinants of mobile banking adoption in Nigeria.