IIT Kanpur Project Post Doctoral Fellow Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

IIT Kanpur invites applications for the position of Project Post Doctoral Fellow under various research projects. The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, one of India's premier engineering and research institutions, conducts this recruitment for temporary research positions. This opportunity is for candidates who have recently completed their PhD and wish to pursue advanced research in various domains including engineering, science, and interdisciplinary areas. Selected candidates will work on cutting-edge research projects under the guidance of principal investigators. The position offers exposure to world-class research facilities and opportunities for academic publications. This is a contractual appointment based on project duration and requirements. The recruitment is done on an ongoing basis for various departments and research centres at IIT Kanpur.

Important Dates (Indicative)

Note: Dates vary by individual project requirements. Check specific project advertisement.

Vacancy Details (Typical / Indicative)

Note: Vacancies vary by project and funding availability. Actual numbers depend on individual project advertisements.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Essential: PhD degree in relevant discipline (Engineering, Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related fields) from a recognized university/institution
• PhD should be awarded not more than 3-5 years before the date of application (may vary by project)
• First class or equivalent grade in Master's degree (60% marks or 6.0/10 CGPA)
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals preferred
• Specific subject requirements vary by project and research area

Age Limit

Age Relaxation

Nationality

• Indian citizen, or
• Subject of Nepal, or
• Subject of Bhutan, or
• Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962, or
• Person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries with intention of permanently settling in India
• Foreign nationals may apply for certain positions as per project requirements

How to Apply

1. Visit Official Website: Go to IIT Kanpur official recruitment portal at www.iitk.ac.in or the specific project advertisement link
2. Check Advertisement: Read the detailed project advertisement carefully and note down the project code/reference number
3. Prepare Documents: Scan all required documents including PhD certificate, mark sheets, publications list, experience certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and recent photograph
4. Email Application: Most positions require email application to the concerned Principal Investigator (PI) at the specified email address mentioned in advertisement
5. Application Format: Prepare application in prescribed format (usually downloadable from advertisement) with subject line mentioning project code
6. Attach Documents: Attach all scanned documents as PDF files (typically maximum 5 MB total size)
7. Confirmation: Save sent email confirmation for future reference
8. Alternative Mode: Some projects may have online application portal - follow instructions in specific advertisement
9. No Hard Copy: Generally, hard copy of application is not required unless specifically mentioned

Application Fee

Note: IIT Kanpur typically does not charge application fee for Post Doctoral Fellow positions. Verify from specific advertisement.

Selection Procedure

1. Application Screening: All received applications are screened by the Principal Investigator and selection committee based on educational qualifications, research publications, relevant experience, and alignment with project requirements. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted for further rounds.

1. Written Test/Presentation (if applicable): Shortlisted candidates may be asked to prepare and present their research work or give a technical presentation related to the project area. Some projects may conduct written tests to assess subject knowledge and analytical skills.

1. Personal Interview: Candidates are called for face-to-face or online interview where the selection committee evaluates research aptitude, subject expertise, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and suitability for the project. Interview may be conducted via video conferencing for outstation candidates.

1. Document Verification: Selected candidates must produce original certificates for verification including PhD degree, mark sheets, experience certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and identity proof. Any discrepancy may lead to cancellation of candidature.

1. Medical Fitness: Candidates may be required to submit medical fitness certificate from registered medical practitioner before joining. IIT Kanpur may conduct medical examination if deemed necessary.

1. Final Selection: Based on overall performance in interview, document verification, and medical fitness, final selection list is prepared and offer letters are issued to selected candidates.

Selection Pattern

Note: Post Doctoral Fellow positions at IIT Kanpur typically do not have a written examination. Selection is based on interview and evaluation of research credentials.

Interview/Presentation Evaluation

Assessment Criteria

No Negative Marking: Not applicable as no written exam is conducted.

Areas of Evaluation

The evaluation for Post Doctoral Fellow positions is based on research background and technical expertise rather than a fixed syllabus. However, candidates should be well-versed in the following areas:

Research Methodology

• Research design and experimental methods
• Data collection and analysis techniques
• Statistical tools and software
• Literature review and critical analysis
• Research ethics and integrity
• Publication process and academic writing

Domain-Specific Knowledge

• Core concepts of the candidate's PhD specialization
• Recent developments and trends in the research area
• Interdisciplinary applications
• Advanced theoretical and practical aspects
• Computational tools and simulation techniques
• Laboratory techniques and instrumentation (for experimental research)

Project-Specific Topics

• Specific research objectives mentioned in project advertisement
• Related theories, models, and frameworks
• Relevant software tools and programming languages
• Industry applications and practical implementations
• Current challenges and future directions

General Awareness

• Current affairs in science and technology
• Recent breakthrough research in related fields
• Government initiatives in research and innovation
• Funding agencies and research ecosystem in India
• Intellectual property rights and patents

Soft Skills

• Technical communication and presentation
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Time management and project planning
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Adaptability and learning ability

Salary & Benefits (Typical / Indicative)

Additional Benefits

• Accommodation: May be provided on campus subject to availability at subsidized rates (or HRA if not availed)
• Medical Facilities: Access to IIT Kanpur medical centre and health insurance as per institute norms
• Leave: Earned leave and casual leave as per institute rules for contractual staff
• Research Facilities: Access to world-class laboratories, libraries, and research infrastructure
• Travel Grant: Support for attending conferences and workshops (as per project budget)
• Publication Support: Financial assistance for publication charges in reputed journals

Note: Fellowship amount varies by project, funding agency (DST, SERB, CSIR, DRDO, etc.) and experience of the candidate. Some senior Post-Docs may receive up to ₹65,000-₹75,000 per month.

Post Doctoral Fellows at IIT Kanpur gain invaluable research experience and can publish high-quality papers in international journals, which strengthens their academic profile for faculty positions in universities and IITs. After completion of the fellowship, candidates can apply for assistant professor positions, scientist roles in CSIR/DRDO laboratories, or pursue entrepreneurial ventures based on their research. Extension of fellowship may be possible based on project duration, funding availability, and performance, with opportunities to work on multiple projects and collaborate with international researchers.

Admit cards are not issued for Post Doctoral Fellow positions at IIT Kanpur as there is no written examination. Shortlisted candidates are directly informed via email or phone regarding the interview date, time, and venue (or video conferencing link). Candidates should carry a printout of their application, original certificates, and a valid photo ID proof on the day of interview for verification purposes.

Results are typically declared within 7-10 days after the interview process is completed. The selection list is usually communicated via email to the registered email address of the candidate. Selected candidates receive an offer letter specifying the terms of appointment, fellowship amount, project duration, and joining formalities. The result may also be displayed on the concerned department's website or the PI's project page. Waiting list candidates may be intimated in case selected candidates do not join.

There is no cutoff marks system for Post Doctoral Fellow positions as selection is not based on written examination. However, candidates typically need a strong research profile with at least 2-4 publications in peer-reviewed journals (SCI/Scopus indexed preferred) and a minimum CGPA of 7.5-8.0/10 in PhD to be competitive. The selection is primarily based on interview performance, quality of publications, relevance of research experience to the project, and recommendation letters. Competition varies by project and research area, with highly funded projects attracting more applications.

Interview Locations

Primary Centre: IIT Kanpur Campus, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Alternative Mode: Video conferencing (Zoom/Google Meet/Microsoft Teams) for outstation and international candidates

Regional Locations (if specified in advertisement):

• North: Delhi-NCR, Chandigarh, Lucknow
• South: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad
• East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar
• West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad
• Northeast: Guwahati

Note: Most interviews are conducted either at IIT Kanpur campus or via online mode. Physical regional centres are rarely used for Post-Doc interviews.