IISER Bhopal Project Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Apply by Email

IISER Bhopal Project Scientist Recruitment: Key Details
| Particular | Recruitment details |
|---|---|
| Institute | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal |
| Department | Biological Sciences |
| Research project | Expansion of INSACOG Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, Emerging Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance through Genomic-based methods |
| Principal Investigator | Prof. Vineet K. Sharma |
| Funding agency | BIRAC |
| Project duration | 18 months; appointment is temporary and linked to the project |
| Post | Project Scientist |
| Vacancy | 1 |
| Monthly remuneration | Rs. 67,000 plus 20% HRA |
| Age condition | Under 40 years on 1 December 2026; Government of India relaxation rules apply |
| Application method | Email with documents in one PDF |
| Application deadline | 10 November 2026 |
IISER Bhopal is inviting applications from eligible Indian nationals for one Project Scientist vacancy in Biological Sciences. Applications are to be emailed by 10 November 2026. This is a temporary research appointment offering Rs. 67,000 per month plus 20% HRA. The supplied material gives no application fee amount or advertisement number.
Institute and INSACOG Project
The recruitment is for the Department of Biological Sciences at IISER Bhopal, located on Bhopal By-pass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal 462066. The BIRAC-funded project, led by Prof. Vineet K. Sharma, concerns wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, emerging pathogens and antimicrobial resistance through genomic methods. Applicants should assess the opportunity as a project appointment: its continuation is tied to the project, and it is not a regular institute post.
Eligibility: Degree, Experience and Age
The recruitment is open to eligible Indian nationals. Applicants must consider the doctoral qualification, marks, relevant experience and age conditions together; the desirable skills listed later are separate from these essential requirements.
| Post | Required educational qualification |
|---|---|
| Project Scientist | Doctoral degree in Life Sciences, Computational Sciences, Bioinformatics or Bioinstrumentation from a recognised university or equivalent institution, with at least 60% aggregate marks. Relaxation applies as per Government of India guidelines. |
Required experience: At least five years of research and development experience in microfabrication and scientific instrumentation, gained during or after the PhD in industrial or academic institutions or science and technology organisations. The wording allows relevant experience during the PhD to count; it does not restrict the requirement to post-PhD work.
Age cut-off: Applicants should be under 40 years on 1 December 2026, with age relaxation under Government of India rules. This reference date differs from the application deadline. The supplied information does not give category-wise relaxation amounts.
Desirable Technical and Management Skills
- Experience designing, developing and operating scientific instruments.
- Working familiarity with anaerobic culturing and bioreactors.
- Preferably, experience analysing next-generation sequencing data for genomes and metagenomes.
- Programming or scripting in Perl, Python or C, along with database construction and development of AI/ML tools.
- Project management, report preparation and coordination with collaborating institutions.
As general application guidance, describe relevant work against these skill areas in your CV. Clearly distinguish hands-on experience from familiarity with a technique, and explain how your research relates to the essential experience requirement.
Salary and Meaning of the Project Tenure
The stated remuneration is Rs. 67,000 per month with 20% HRA in addition. The project duration is 18 months, and the appointment is purely temporary and coterminous with it. In practical terms, the post is linked to the project's continuation rather than a permanent position. No TA/DA is payable for attending the interview.
What the Project Scientist Will Do
The work combines laboratory activities, sample coordination, data management and collaboration. The responsibilities cover:
- Anaerobic culturing work involving microbes and metagenomes.
- Carrying out and coordinating sample collection.
- Maintaining an organised data repository.
- Managing experimental data generated during the project.
- Preparing project reports.
- Working with collaborating institutions.
How to Apply by Email
- Prepare the cover letter, detailed CV, referee information and supporting certificates, then combine them into one PDF.
- Use this email subject exactly: Application for the post of PS – INSACOG 2026.
- Clearly identify Project Scientist as the position sought in your application.
- Email the single PDF to vineetks@iiserb.ac.in on or before 10 November 2026.
Documents to Include in the Single PDF
- A cover letter for the application.
- A detailed CV containing your photograph, email ID, phone number, educational and professional qualifications, master's thesis title, a brief account of the work undertaken and details of research experience, if any.
- Details of two referees: name, current position, address and email ID.
- Copies of academic marksheets and certificates from Class 10 onwards, arranged chronologically.
- Proof of qualifying a national-level examination, where applicable.
Application Screening and Online Interview
Applications will be screened under the position-specific guidelines before candidates are shortlisted. Shortlisted applicants will be called for an online interview before a screening committee. Names of shortlisted candidates and interview dates will be published on the IISERB website. The interview committee's decision is final, and further correspondence will not be entertained. Submitting an application therefore does not by itself secure an interview.
Application Deadline and Other Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement dated | 23 October 2026 |
| Reference date for age | 1 December 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 10 November 2026 |
The stated deadline may be extended for exceptionally qualified candidates, and the positions are described as remaining open until filled. This provision does not announce a revised closing date. General guidance: plan your submission around 10 November 2026 rather than assuming an extension.
Application Checks and Communication
- Only shortlisted applicants will be informed, and interim correspondence will not be entertained. General guidance: before sending, open the final PDF to check that the documents are readable, complete and in the stated order.
- The supplied article also mentions an online application link on the institute website, while its detailed submission instructions specify email. The email procedure above provides the recipient, document format and subject line; the mention of an online link supplies no separate portal steps.
Recruitment and Institute Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Project Scientist application details | Provided application information link |
| IISER Bhopal recruitment advertisement | Provided advertisement link dated 23 October 2026 |
| IISER Bhopal official website | Website designated for shortlist and interview-date announcements |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Project Scientist vacancies are there at IISER Bhopal?
How many vacancies are available? There is one Project Scientist vacancy in IISER Bhopal's Department of Biological Sciences.
What is the last date to apply?
When should I apply? Submit by 10 November 2026. The provision for an extension for exceptionally qualified candidates does not give a new deadline.
What is the qualification for the IISER Bhopal Project Scientist post?
What qualifications are required? A doctoral degree in one of the specified disciplines, at least 60% aggregate marks subject to Government of India relaxation, and five years of relevant research and development experience are required. The experience must concern microfabrication and scientific instrumentation.
What is the age limit?
Which date determines age eligibility? Applicants must be under 40 on 1 December 2026, subject to applicable Government of India age relaxation.
What is the salary of the Project Scientist?
What is the monthly pay? The remuneration is Rs. 67,000 plus 20% HRA.
How do I apply?
Where should the application be sent? Email one PDF to vineetks@iiserb.ac.in using the subject Application for the post of PS – INSACOG 2026.
How are candidates selected?
How will selection take place? Application screening is followed by an online interview for shortlisted candidates.
Is the Project Scientist job permanent?
Is this a permanent job? No. The appointment is temporary and ends with the project, whose stated duration is 18 months.
Is HRA paid on top of the Rs. 67,000?
Is HRA included in Rs. 67,000, and is interview travel reimbursed? The stated 20% HRA is additional to Rs. 67,000. No TA/DA is payable for attending the interview.
Is travel allowance paid for the interview?
References: Provided links accompanying the existing article: Application details for the Project Scientist post — https://metabiosys.iiserb.ac.in/ ; IISER Bhopal recruitment advertisement — https://www.iiserb.ac.in/assets_external/vacancy/r&d/04f67f429b3a69cb25aa2752f64ddba5.docx