JNCASR Faculty Fellow Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
Job Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
Overview
JNCASR (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research) Faculty Fellow Recruitment 2026 is an All India recruitment drive for research and academic positions. JNCASR is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, engaged in frontier research in science and engineering. This recruitment is for Faculty Fellow positions across various scientific disciplines. Selected candidates will be engaged in advanced research projects and contribute to the scientific community. The position offers an opportunity to work in a premier research institution with state-of-the-art facilities. Candidates with strong research backgrounds and academic credentials are encouraged to apply.
Important Dates
Important Dates (Indicative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | January 2026 |
| Application Last Date | February 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | February 2026 |
| Shortlist Released | March 2026 |
| Interview/Selection Date | April 2026 |
| Final Result Declaration | May 2026 |
Note: Exact dates to be notified in the official advertisement
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Breakdown (Typical / Indicative)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 8 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 4 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 3 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 2 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 2 |
| Total | 19 |
Note: Exact vacancy numbers will be specified in the official notification. Distribution may vary based on departmental requirements.
Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Essential: Ph.D. degree in relevant scientific/engineering discipline from a recognized university
- Desirable: Post-doctoral research experience in premier national/international institutions
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed international journals
- Demonstrated research capabilities in the concerned field
- For certain positions, M.Sc./M.Tech. with exceptional research credentials may be considered
Age Limit
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 28 years |
| Maximum Age | 45 years |
| Age as on Date | Last date of application |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | 10 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per Government norms |
| Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated | As per Government rules |
Nationality
- Candidate must be a Citizen of India
- Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan may apply as per Government of India rules
- OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders may be eligible for certain positions
How to Apply
How to Apply
- Visit the official JNCASR website at www.jncasr.ac.in
- Navigate to the 'Careers' or 'Recruitment' section on the homepage
- Click on 'Faculty Fellow Recruitment 2026' notification link
- Read the detailed advertisement carefully and check eligibility criteria
- Click on 'Apply Online' button to access the application portal
- Complete one-time registration with valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, research experience, and publications
- Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and supporting documents (as per specifications)
- Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI)
- Review the filled application form thoroughly before final submission
- Submit the application and note down the Registration/Application Number
- Take a printout of the completed application form for future reference
Note: Only online applications will be accepted. No offline/postal applications are entertained.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹1,000 |
| SC/ST/PwBD | ₹500 |
| Women Candidates | ₹500 |
Fee is non-refundable and must be paid online only. Transaction charges as applicable.
Selection Process
Selection Process
- Application Screening: Initial screening of applications based on educational qualifications, research experience, and publication record. Only eligible candidates meeting the minimum criteria will be shortlisted.
- Shortlisting: Candidates will be shortlisted based on academic merit, quality of research publications, impact factor of journals, citations, and overall research profile.
- Presentation/Seminar: Shortlisted candidates will be required to give a detailed presentation on their research work, highlighting their contributions, methodology, and future research plans (typically 30-40 minutes).
- Personal Interview: Comprehensive interview by an expert panel to assess domain knowledge, research aptitude, problem-solving abilities, and suitability for the Faculty Fellow position (45-60 minutes).
- Document Verification: Verification of original certificates including educational qualifications, experience certificates, publications, caste certificate (if applicable), and other supporting documents.
- Final Merit List: Final selection based on combined performance in presentation and interview. Merit list will be prepared separately for each category as per reservation norms.
- Medical Fitness: Selected candidates may be required to undergo medical examination as per institutional norms before final appointment.
Exam Pattern
Selection Pattern
Note: This recruitment does not involve a written examination. Selection is based on evaluation of research credentials, presentation, and interview.
Evaluation Components
| Component | Weightage/Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Research Profile & Publications | 40% | - |
| Research Presentation | 30% | 30-40 minutes |
| Personal Interview | 30% | 45-60 minutes |
| Total | 100% | - |
Detailed Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Maximum Score |
|---|---|
| Quality of Ph.D. thesis | 15 |
| Publications in peer-reviewed journals | 15 |
| Impact Factor & Citations | 10 |
| Presentation Quality & Communication | 30 |
| Subject Knowledge & Research Aptitude | 20 |
| Future Research Plans | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
No negative marking applicable as there is no written test.
Syllabus
Research Areas and Topics
The Faculty Fellow positions are available across various scientific disciplines. Candidates should have expertise in the following broad areas:
Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
- Organic synthesis and catalysis
- Inorganic and coordination chemistry
- Physical and theoretical chemistry
- Materials chemistry and nanomaterials
- Chemical biology and bioorganic chemistry
- Spectroscopy and analytical techniques
Physics and Materials Science
- Condensed matter physics
- Nanoscience and nanotechnology
- Quantum materials and devices
- Soft matter physics
- Theoretical and computational physics
- Optics and photonics
Biology and Life Sciences
- Molecular biology and genetics
- Cell biology and biochemistry
- Structural biology
- Neuroscience and cognitive sciences
- Developmental biology
- Computational biology and bioinformatics
Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Materials engineering
- Computational methods
- Device fabrication and characterization
- Energy materials and devices
- Biomaterials and biomedical engineering
Theoretical Sciences
- Mathematical modeling
- Computational simulations
- Statistical mechanics
- Quantum chemistry
- Theoretical biophysics
Candidates should demonstrate deep expertise in their specialized research area along with interdisciplinary knowledge.
Salary
Salary and Benefits (Typical / Indicative)
| Component | Amount (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Fellowship/Basic Pay | ₹67,000 - ₹79,000 |
| HRA (House Rent Allowance) | ₹13,400 - ₹15,800 |
| Transport Allowance | ₹3,200 |
| Other Allowances | ₹2,000 - ₹5,000 |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹85,600 - ₹1,03,000 |
| Approximate In-Hand Salary | ₹75,000 - ₹90,000 |
Additional Benefits:
- Research Grant: ₹5-10 lakhs per annum for research activities, consumables, and conference participation
- Leave Entitlement: 30 days earned leave per year plus casual leave as per rules
- Accommodation: Institute housing may be provided on availability basis (rent as per rules)
- Medical Benefits: Medical facilities for self and dependents as per institutional norms
- LTC (Leave Travel Concession): As per Government of India rules
- Pension/GPF: Applicable as per appointment terms
- Conference Support: Financial support for attending national/international conferences
Actual salary components may vary based on the 7th Pay Commission recommendations and institutional policies. The fellowship is governed by DST/JNCASR norms.
Career Growth
Faculty Fellows at JNCASR have excellent opportunities for career advancement within the research ecosystem. After successful completion of the fellowship tenure (typically 3-5 years), candidates can apply for permanent faculty positions at JNCASR or other premier research institutions and universities across India and abroad. Outstanding performers may be considered for Assistant Professor positions at JNCASR itself, with subsequent promotions to Associate Professor and Professor based on research output, publication record, and academic contributions. The position provides a strong platform for establishing an independent research career and building international collaborations.
Admit Card
Since this recruitment does not involve a written examination, traditional admit cards are not issued. Shortlisted candidates for the presentation and interview round will receive email notifications and/or SMS alerts on their registered email ID and mobile number. Candidates must download the interview call letter from the JNCASR recruitment portal using their registration credentials approximately 2-3 weeks before the scheduled interview date. The call letter will contain details of interview venue, date, time, reporting instructions, and list of documents to be carried.
Result
The final result will be declared on the official JNCASR website after completion of all interview rounds and verification processes. Selected candidates will be notified through email and the merit list will be published category-wise on the website. The result typically takes 3-4 weeks after the completion of interviews. Candidates can check their selection status by logging into the recruitment portal with their application number. Selected candidates will receive offer letters via email and must confirm their acceptance within the stipulated timeframe.
Expected Cutoff
Since selection is based on overall research profile, presentation, and interview performance rather than a written exam, there are no fixed numerical cutoffs. However, candidates typically need to score at least 60% marks in the combined evaluation to be considered for selection in the General category, while SC/ST candidates require around 50-55% marks. The actual selection threshold varies depending on the number of applicants, quality of candidates, and available positions. Candidates with strong publication records in high-impact journals and significant research contributions have better chances of selection.
Exam Centres
Interview Centres
Interviews are typically conducted at the JNCASR campus:
Primary Centre:
- Bangalore (Karnataka) - JNCASR Main Campus, Jakkur
Possible Alternative Centres (if arranged):
- Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad
Most candidates are expected to appear for interviews at the JNCASR Bangalore campus. In exceptional cases, video conferencing facilities may be provided for candidates from remote locations, subject to approval. The final interview venue will be mentioned in the interview call letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the educational qualification required for JNCASR Faculty Fellow positions?
Candidates must possess a Ph.D. degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline from a recognized university. Post-doctoral research experience and a strong publication record in peer-reviewed international journals are highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate significant research contributions in their specialized field.
What is the application fee for JNCASR Faculty Fellow Recruitment 2026?
The application fee is ₹1,000 for General/OBC/EWS category candidates. For SC/ST/PwBD and women candidates, the fee is ₹500. The fee must be paid online through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
How many vacancies are available in this recruitment?
The exact number of vacancies will be specified in the official notification. Typically, JNCASR recruits 15-20 Faculty Fellows annually across various scientific disciplines, distributed among different categories (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) as per government reservation norms. The actual number may vary based on departmental requirements and available positions.
What is the salary range for JNCASR Faculty Fellow positions?
Faculty Fellows receive a monthly fellowship of ₹67,000 to ₹79,000 as basic pay, along with HRA, transport allowance, and other benefits. The gross monthly salary ranges from approximately ₹85,600 to ₹1,03,000, with in-hand salary around ₹75,000 to ₹90,000. Additionally, fellows receive a research grant of ₹5-10 lakhs per annum for research activities and conference participation.
How many attempts are allowed for this recruitment?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for JNCASR Faculty Fellow recruitment. Candidates can apply multiple times as long as they meet the age criteria and eligibility requirements at the time of application. However, candidates should focus on strengthening their research profile and publication record between attempts to improve their chances of selection.
Is there negative marking in the selection process?
No, there is no negative marking as this recruitment does not involve a written examination. Selection is based on evaluation of research credentials (40%), research presentation (30%), and personal interview (30%). Candidates are assessed on the quality of their research work, publications, presentation skills, and subject knowledge without any penalty system.
Is the application process online or offline?
The application process is completely online through the official JNCASR website (www.jncasr.ac.in). Candidates must register, fill the application form, upload required documents, and pay the application fee online. No offline or postal applications are accepted. Candidates should retain a printout of the submitted application for future reference.
What are the different stages of the selection process?
The selection process consists of: (1) Application screening based on eligibility criteria, (2) Shortlisting based on research profile and publications, (3) Research presentation by shortlisted candidates (30-40 minutes), (4) Personal interview by expert panel (45-60 minutes), (5) Document verification of original certificates, (6) Preparation of final merit list, and (7) Medical fitness examination for selected candidates before appointment.