ICMR-NIRBID Young Professional-II Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

The Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Research in Bacterial Infections and Diseases (ICMR-NIRBID) invites applications for the position of Young Professional-II for the year 2026. This is a contractual research position under ICMR, one of India's premier medical research institutions. Young Professionals are engaged in various research projects, laboratory work, data analysis, and administrative support for ongoing medical and scientific studies. The position offers an opportunity to work in a cutting-edge research environment and gain valuable experience in the field of bacterial infections and diseases. Selected candidates will be deployed at ICMR-NIRBID facilities across India. This is a time-bound engagement typically for project durations ranging from 1-3 years, renewable based on performance and project requirements.

Important Dates (Typical / Indicative)

Vacancy Details (Typical / Indicative)

Note: Exact vacancy count varies by project requirements and is specified in the official notification.

Educational Qualification

• Essential: Master's degree in Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related disciplines from a recognized university
• Desirable: Research experience in bacterial infections, immunology, or related fields; published research papers; familiarity with laboratory techniques and equipment
• Candidates with NET/GATE/ICMR-JRF qualification are preferred

Age Limit

Age as on closing date of application:

Age Relaxation:

Nationality

• Candidates must be Indian citizens
• Persons of Indian origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) may apply as per Government of India guidelines

How to Apply

1. Visit the official ICMR-NIRBID website (www.icmr.gov.in or institute-specific website as mentioned in the notification)
2. Navigate to the 'Recruitment' or 'Careers' section
3. Click on the 'Young Professional-II Recruitment 2026' notification link
4. Read the detailed notification and instructions carefully
5. Click on 'Apply Online' button to access the application portal
6. Register with basic details (email ID and mobile number) to generate login credentials
7. Login to the application system using generated credentials
8. Fill the online application form with personal details, educational qualifications, experience, and other relevant information
9. Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, educational certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and other required documents in specified format and size
10. Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI)
11. Review all entered information carefully before final submission
12. Submit the application form and take a printout of the submitted application for future reference

Alternatively: Some positions may require offline applications or walk-in interviews as specified in the notification.

Application Fee

Payment Mode: Online through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI

Note: Application fee is non-refundable. Exact fee structure will be mentioned in the official notification.

1. Screening of Applications: All submitted applications are screened for eligibility based on educational qualifications, age limit, and experience criteria. Only eligible candidates are shortlisted for further stages.

1. Written Test/Skill Test: Shortlisted candidates may be required to appear for a written examination covering subjects related to the research domain, general aptitude, and technical knowledge. Alternatively, practical skill tests may be conducted to assess laboratory techniques and research methodology knowledge.

1. Personal Interview: Candidates who qualify the written/skill test are called for a personal interview before an expert panel. The interview assesses technical knowledge, research aptitude, communication skills, and suitability for the position.

1. Document Verification: Candidates selected after the interview undergo thorough document verification where all original certificates (educational, age proof, caste certificate, experience certificates) are checked against the information provided in the application.

1. Final Merit List: Based on the combined performance in written test/skill test and interview, a final merit list is prepared category-wise and published on the official website.

1. Medical Examination: Selected candidates may be required to undergo a medical examination to ensure fitness for the position before final appointment.

1. Offer of Engagement: Candidates on the final merit list receive an offer letter specifying the terms and conditions of engagement, project details, and joining date.

Examination Pattern

Note: ICMR Young Professional positions typically do not have a standardized written examination pattern like civil services. Selection is usually through skill test and interview. However, when written tests are conducted, the typical pattern is:

Written Test/Skill Test Pattern (Indicative)

Negative Marking: Typically 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer

Interview Pattern

The final selection is based on combined marks of written test (if conducted) and interview in the ratio specified in the notification.

Detailed Syllabus

Microbiology & Bacterial Infections

• Bacterial morphology, structure, and classification
• Bacterial genetics and molecular biology
• Pathogenic bacteria and disease mechanisms
• Antimicrobial resistance and mechanisms
• Bacterial immunology and host-pathogen interactions
• Diagnostic bacteriology and culture techniques
• Epidemiology of bacterial diseases
• Emerging and re-emerging bacterial infections

Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

• DNA, RNA, and protein structure and function
• Gene expression and regulation
• Recombinant DNA technology
• PCR and its applications
• Gel electrophoresis and blotting techniques
• DNA sequencing methods
• Genetic engineering and cloning
• Bioinformatics basics

Immunology

• Innate and adaptive immunity
• Immune system cells and organs
• Antigens and antibodies
• Immunological techniques (ELISA, Western blot, Flow cytometry)
• Vaccines and immunization
• Autoimmunity and immunodeficiency
• Immunological disorders

Biochemistry

• Biomolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids
• Enzyme kinetics and regulation
• Metabolism: glycolysis, TCA cycle, electron transport chain
• Protein synthesis and degradation
• Cell signaling and signal transduction
• Biochemical techniques and instrumentation

Research Methodology & Biostatistics

• Research design and experimental planning
• Data collection and analysis methods
• Statistical tests: t-test, ANOVA, chi-square
• Probability and sampling techniques
• Hypothesis testing
• Research ethics and biosafety
• Scientific writing and presentation
• Laboratory safety protocols

General Aptitude & Reasoning

• Numerical ability and quantitative aptitude
• Logical reasoning and analytical thinking
• Data interpretation (tables, graphs, charts)
• Verbal reasoning and comprehension
• Basic mathematics and statistics
• Problem-solving abilities

Current Affairs in Medical Research

• Recent developments in bacterial research
• COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness
• Antibiotic resistance challenges
• Indian medical research initiatives
• ICMR activities and programs
• National health policies and schemes

Salary & Compensation (Typical / Indicative)

Additional Benefits:

• The position is on a consolidated pay basis without DA component
• Annual increment subject to satisfactory performance and project continuation
• Leave entitlement as per ICMR norms (typically 15-20 days per year)
• Medical facilities at ICMR institutions
• Training and capacity-building opportunities
• Access to research infrastructure and laboratory facilities
• Opportunity to publish research papers and attend conferences

Note: Young Professional positions are contractual and do not carry benefits like pension, gratuity, or permanent employment status. Pay scales may vary based on qualifications and experience.

Young Professional-II positions at ICMR offer excellent research experience and skill development opportunities. While these are contractual positions, high-performing candidates may get extensions based on project requirements. Candidates can transition to higher research positions like Research Assistants, Project Scientists, or pursue regular ICMR scientist positions through competitive examinations. The experience gained is valuable for doctoral programs, academic careers, or positions in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

For ICMR Young Professional positions, admit cards are typically not issued as the selection process usually involves walk-in interviews or direct interviews for shortlisted candidates. However, if a written test is conducted, admit cards are released 7-10 days before the examination date on the official ICMR website. Candidates need to login to their application portal using registration credentials to download the admit card. The admit card contains details of examination center, date, time, reporting instructions, and candidate's photograph and signature.

Results for ICMR-NIRBID Young Professional-II recruitment are typically declared within 2-4 weeks after the completion of interviews. The final merit list is published on the official ICMR-NIRBID website and the main ICMR portal. Selected candidates are individually informed via email and/or phone regarding their selection and joining formalities. The result includes the list of selected candidates, waitlisted candidates (if any), and category-wise cutoff marks. Candidates can check their result status by visiting the official website and entering their application number or registration ID.

Cutoff marks for ICMR Young Professional positions vary based on the number of applicants, difficulty level of the test/interview, and available vacancies. Typically, General category candidates need to score around 60-70% marks in the combined selection process, while SC/ST candidates require around 50-55%, and OBC candidates need approximately 55-60%. Category-wise cutoffs are determined separately, and candidates must meet both the overall cutoff and their respective category cutoff to be considered for selection. Previous years' trends show that well-qualified candidates with NET/GATE/research experience have better chances of selection.

Examination Centres (Indicative)

North: Delhi, Noida, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jaipur, Shimla

South: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Visakhapatnam, Mysuru

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Dibrugarh

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Goa

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Dibrugarh

Central: Bhopal, Indore, Raipur, Jabalpur

Note: Exam centres are subject to change based on the number of applicants from each region. Candidates may be allotted centres based on their preference and availability. For walk-in interviews, the venue is typically the ICMR-NIRBID institute location or regional ICMR centers.