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Although St. Paul was available at the time our Lord had chosen the disciples and apostles, why was he not chosen as well? Why did the Lord Jesus Christ call him after He had already ascended?

In the Holy Book of I Corinthians 1:1 you will find this Holy verse:

"Paul, called to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ through the will of God and Sosthenes our brother."

This was the time (the fullness of time for St. Paul) in which God called him to be an apostle. Thus it was the Will of God that St. Paul became an apostle following the Ascension.

St. Paul steadfastly believed that apostles were essential to the life of the Church, who is the body of Christ.  St. Paul believed that if there were no apostolic faith, there would be no Church. This was his theme through many of his written works, particularly the Second Epistle of St Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. He further believed that the primary purpose of the apostles were to preach the Holy Gospel. Therefore, St Paul's being chosen following the Ascension seems in perfect accordance to his beliefs and teachings.