NIT Rourkela JRF Recruitment 2026: Apply for 01 Junior Research Fellow position in Life Science for the Marine Microbiology project. Interview on Jan 28, 2026. Last date to apply: Jan 27, 2026.
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has released an official notification (Advt.- 25LS052 /L/112) for the recruitment of a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) for a sponsored project titled “Marine microbial resources for environmental and biomedical applications”. This is an excellent opportunity for eligible candidates with an M.Sc./M.Tech in Life Science and related fields, holding a valid GATE/NET score, to contribute to cutting-edge research. The selected candidate will be offered a monthly emolument of INR 37,000/- plus HRA (as applicable) and may also be eligible for PhD enrollment. Interested applicants must submit their applications via email by January 27, 2026, with online interviews scheduled for January 28, 2026.
Important Dates for NIT Rourkela JRF Recruitment 2026
Mark your calendars with these crucial dates to ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity.
| Event | Date | Time | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertisement Release Date | January 20, 2026 | – | – |
| Last Date for Application Submission (Email) | January 27, 2026 | – | – |
| Online Interview Date | January 28, 2026 | 09:30 AM | Department of Life Science |
Vacancy Details: Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Discover the specific post available under this recruitment drive at NIT Rourkela.
| Post Name | Number of Posts | Tenure of Post | Monthly Emoluments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 01 (One) | 02 Years, 00 Months (Co-terminus with project end date: Nov 13, 2027) | INR 37,000.00/- per month (+) HRA @ NA % (if applicable) for Year 1 & 2 |
Eligibility Criteria for JRF Position
Candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered for the Junior Research Fellow position.
Educational Qualifications
- Essential Qualification: M.Sc./M.Tech (or equivalent) in any of the following disciplines:
- Life Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Marine Science (Biology)
- Biological Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Zoology
- Animal Science
- Botany
- Genetics
- Environmental Science
- OR any other related branch.
- Minimum 60% of marks or 6.5 CGPA in a 10-point scale in the qualifying degree.
- Must possess a valid GATE score or NET certificate (CSIR/UGC/ICMR/DBT/ICAR (LS/JRF)).
Age Limit
- The upper age limit for applying is 28 years as on the last date of receipt of applications.
- Age Relaxation:
- Up to 5 years for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and Female applicants.
- Up to 3 years for Other Backward Classes (OBCs – Non-creamy layer candidates).
Desirable Skills & Experience
Candidates with prior experience in any of the following areas will be given preference:
- Microbiology
- Biofilm biology
- Bioremediation
- Bacterial cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Cell & molecular techniques (PCR, RT-PCR, Western Blotting, Immunofluorescence, spectroscopy, protein purification, bioactive microbial metabolites etc.)
Job Description
The selected Junior Research Fellow will work on the project under the “Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC)” of S&T Dept, Govt. of Odisha. This project involves extensive work on marine microorganisms and microbial products, including enzymes. Short-listed candidates for the JRF position may also be enrolled for the PhD programme of NIT Rourkela, following the Institute’s guidelines.
Application Process
Follow these steps carefully to apply for the NIT Rourkela JRF position:
- Candidates are required to send a complete, filled, and signed application form.
- Prepare a single PDF file containing the application form along with all relevant documents, including:
- Educational qualification mark-sheets and certificates (indicating percentage of marks / division)
- Research papers (if any)
- Work experience certificate (if any)
- The single PDF file should be sent via email to the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) at the following email IDs:
- PI: Prof. Surajit Das – surajit@nitrkl.ac.in
- Co-PI: Prof. Rohan Dhiman – dhimanr@nitrkl.ac.in
- The subject line of the email must clearly state: “Advertisement No. NITR/SR/ 2025 / Advt.- 25LS052 /L/112”.
- The last date for submitting the application is January 27, 2026.
- No hard copies of the application are required to be sent to the Institute.
Important Note: Mere possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation for the interview. Candidates will be shortlisted based on merit and the specific needs of the project.
Selection Process
The selection for the Junior Research Fellow position at NIT Rourkela will involve the following stages:
- Shortlisting: Candidates will be shortlisted based on their academic merit, relevant experience, and the specific requirements of the project. NIT Rourkela reserves the right to fix higher criteria for short-listing.
- Online Interview: Only shortlisted candidates will be informed and invited for an online interview. The interview will be conducted on January 28, 2026, at 09:30 AM in the Department of Life Science.
- Final Selection: Selection and joining will be cancelled in case of any suppression of information or submission of forged documents.
FAQs about NIT Rourkela JRF Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply for the JRF position at NIT Rourkela?
The last date for submitting the application via email is January 27, 2026.
Q2: What are the essential qualifications for this JRF post?
Candidates must have an M.Sc./M.Tech (or equivalent) in Life Science or related fields with a minimum of 60% marks/6.5 CGPA and a valid GATE/NET certificate.
Q3: What is the age limit for applying?
The upper age limit is 28 years, with relaxations for SC/ST/PWD/Female (5 years) and OBC (3 years) candidates, as on the application deadline.
Q4: What is the monthly emolument for the JRF position?
The selected JRF will receive INR 37,000.00 per month plus HRA (if applicable) for the first two years.
Q5: How will candidates be selected for the JRF position?
Candidates will be shortlisted based on their qualifications and experience, followed by an online interview for the shortlisted candidates.
Q6: Can I apply for PhD enrollment if selected as a JRF?
Yes, short-listed candidates may be enrolled for the PhD programme of NIT Rourkela following the Institute’s guidelines.
Q7: What documents are required for the application?
A complete, filled, and signed application form along with educational certificates, mark sheets, research papers (if any), and work experience certificates (if any), all compiled into a single PDF file.
Q8: Where will the online interview be conducted?
The online interview will be conducted by the Department of Life Science, NIT Rourkela, on January 28, 2026, at 09:30 AM.
