CSIR-NEERI Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) invites applications for the position of Project Associate-I on a purely temporary basis for research projects. CSIR-NEERI is a premier environmental research institution under CSIR, headquartered in Nagpur with regional centres across India. Project Associates are engaged in research and development activities related to environmental engineering, pollution control, and allied scientific fields. This is a contractual position offering excellent research exposure and opportunities to work on cutting-edge environmental projects. The selection is based on qualifications, experience, and performance in the interview. Successful candidates will contribute to various ongoing research initiatives of national importance.

Typical / Indicative

Note: Exact vacancy numbers vary by project requirements and are specified in each notification.

Educational Qualification

• Essential: First Class Master's Degree in Engineering (Environmental/Chemical/Civil/Mechanical/Biotechnology) or M.Sc. in Environmental Science/Chemistry/Microbiology/Biotechnology or equivalent from a recognized university
• Desirable: NET/GATE qualification, research experience, publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Candidates with relevant project experience in environmental engineering or allied fields will be preferred
• For some projects, Ph.D. pursuing candidates may also be eligible

Age Limit

Typical / Indicative

Age calculated as on the closing date of application.

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) may apply for certain positions subject to approval

1. Visit the official CSIR-NEERI website at www.neeri.res.in
2. Navigate to the 'Careers' or 'Recruitment' section on the homepage
3. Locate the notification for Project Associate-I recruitment and read it carefully
4. Click on the 'Apply Online' link for the specific project/position
5. Register using your valid email ID and mobile number to generate login credentials
6. Login to the application portal using the generated credentials
7. Fill in all mandatory fields in the online application form including personal details, educational qualifications, and experience
8. Upload scanned copies of required documents (photograph, signature, educational certificates, experience certificates, caste certificate if applicable) in prescribed format and size
9. Pay the application fee online through Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card or generate challan for offline payment
10. Review the complete application form carefully before final submission
11. Submit the application form and take a printout of the submitted application for future reference
12. Note down the application/registration number for tracking purposes

Application Fees

Typical / Indicative

Fee once paid is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.

1. Screening of Applications: All received applications are screened based on eligibility criteria including educational qualifications, relevant experience, and other requirements specified in the notification. Only eligible candidates are shortlisted for the interview.

1. Interview/Skill Test: Shortlisted candidates are called for personal interview before a duly constituted selection committee. The interview assesses technical knowledge, research aptitude, communication skills, and suitability for the specific project. For certain positions, a practical skill test or presentation may also be conducted.

1. Document Verification: Candidates appearing for interview must bring all original certificates along with self-attested copies for verification. Documents related to age proof, educational qualifications, experience certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and other relevant documents are verified at this stage.

1. Final Merit List: Based on performance in the interview and document verification, a final merit list is prepared. The selection is made purely on merit, and the decision of the selection committee is final and binding.

1. Offer of Appointment: Selected candidates receive an offer letter via email/post. They must join within the stipulated time period mentioned in the offer letter, failing which the offer may be cancelled and the next candidate on the merit list may be considered.

Selection Method

There is no written examination for CSIR-NEERI Project Associate-I positions. Selection is based entirely on:

Interview Pattern (Typical)

No negative marking is applicable as there is no written test. Interview performance is the sole criterion for selection.

Since selection is through interview only, candidates should prepare based on their educational background and the specific project requirements. The interview typically covers:

Environmental Engineering

• Water and wastewater treatment technologies
• Air pollution control and monitoring
• Solid and hazardous waste management
• Environmental impact assessment
• Pollution control equipment and processes
• Environmental laws and regulations in India
• Climate change and sustainability

Chemical Engineering

• Chemical reaction engineering
• Process design and optimization
• Mass transfer and separation processes
• Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Industrial pollution control
• Green chemistry and sustainable processes

Civil Engineering

• Environmental sanitation and public health
• Water resources engineering
• Hydraulics and hydrology
• Soil mechanics and foundation engineering
• Construction materials and practices
• Urban planning and infrastructure development

Biotechnology/Microbiology

• Microbial processes in waste treatment
• Bioremediation techniques
• Industrial biotechnology applications
• Molecular biology techniques
• Bioprocess engineering
• Environmental microbiology

Research Methodology

• Experimental design and data analysis
• Statistical tools and software (SPSS, R, etc.)
• Laboratory techniques and instrumentation
• Scientific writing and documentation
• Literature review and citation methods
• Presentation skills and communication

Project-Specific Topics

• Topics related to the specific project for which recruitment is conducted
• Recent developments in the relevant field
• National and international research trends
• Awareness of CSIR-NEERI's ongoing research activities

Typical / Indicative

Additional Benefits:

• Leave entitlement as per CSIR norms (typically 30 days per year)
• Accident insurance coverage under group insurance scheme
• Access to CSIR research facilities and laboratories
• Opportunities for training and skill development
• No EPF/Gratuity as this is a purely temporary contractual position
• Salary may vary based on qualifications (NET/GATE qualified candidates may receive higher fellowship)

Note: Exact salary depends on the funding agency of the project and CSIR guidelines applicable at the time of joining.

Project Associate-I positions offer valuable research experience in a premier national laboratory. Candidates can enhance their skills, publish research papers, and build strong academic profiles. After gaining experience, individuals may pursue Ph.D. programs, apply for higher positions like Project Associate-II or Scientist positions in CSIR labs, or move to industry/academia. Regular performance reviews provide opportunities to work on multiple projects and collaborate with national and international research teams.

Since there is no written examination, no admit card is issued in the traditional sense. However, shortlisted candidates for interview receive an interview call letter via registered email and/or through the application portal. This call letter contains details of the interview date, time, venue, and documents to be carried. Candidates should regularly check their email and the CSIR-NEERI website for updates. The interview call is typically released 7-10 days before the scheduled interview date.

The final selection result is declared within 2-3 weeks after completion of interviews. Results are published on the official CSIR-NEERI website (www.neeri.res.in) under the recruitment section. Selected candidates are informed individually through email or telephone. The result displays the names/registration numbers of selected candidates along with their category. A waitlist may also be prepared for future vacancies. No individual queries regarding results are entertained, and the decision of the selection committee is final.

Since selection is through interview only, there is no numerical cutoff score like in written examinations. However, candidates typically need to score at least 50-60% marks in the interview to be considered for selection. The actual selection depends on the performance of all candidates relative to each other and the total number of vacancies. Category-wise relaxation in interview performance may be considered as per Government of India norms. Generally, candidates with NET/GATE qualification and relevant research experience have better chances of selection.

Interview Centres (Typical):

As this is a small-scale recruitment with interviews, centres are limited:

• Primary Centre: CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, Maharashtra
• Regional Centres (if activated): CSIR-NEERI Zonal Laboratories in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata (depending on project location and candidate volume)

Most interviews are conducted at the main campus in Nagpur. In exceptional cases, online interviews via video conferencing may be arranged. Candidates are advised to check the interview call letter for the exact venue. No TA/DA is provided for attending the interview.