PGIMER Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for Senior Research Fellow and Project Associate I Posts

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, is recruiting for Senior Research Fellow and Project Associate I positions for various research projects. PGIMER is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and is recognized as an Institute of National Importance. These positions are project-based, contractual research positions typically valid for the duration of the specific research project. Candidates selected will work on cutting-edge medical research under the guidance of principal investigators in their respective departments. The positions offer excellent exposure to clinical and translational research in a premier medical institution. This recruitment is open to candidates from across India who meet the educational and experience criteria specified for each position.

Typical / Indicative

Typical / Indicative (varies by project)

Educational Qualification

For Senior Research Fellow:

• Post-graduation (MD/MS/MDS/M.Sc/M.Pharm/MPH) in relevant medical/life sciences discipline from a recognized university
• MBBS/BDS with MD/MS in concerned specialty
• NET/GATE qualification desirable
• Minimum 2 years research experience post-qualification
• Published research papers in peer-reviewed journals preferred

For Project Associate I:

• Post-graduation (M.Sc/M.Pharm/MPH/MBA) in relevant discipline
• First class or 60% marks in qualifying degree
• Experience in research methodology, data analysis, or laboratory techniques preferred
• Knowledge of statistical software (SPSS, R, STATA) desirable

Age Limit

Age Relaxation:

Note: Age calculated as on the last date of application submission.

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders may be considered for certain positions subject to project requirements

1. Visit the official PGIMER website at pgimer.edu.in and navigate to the Recruitment/Careers section
2. Locate the notification for Senior Research Fellow and Project Associate I positions under the relevant research project advertisement
3. Download the application form or access the online application portal link provided in the notification
4. Fill the application form with accurate personal, educational, and experience details
5. Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, educational certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), experience certificates, and published research papers (if any)
6. For offline applications: Take printout, attach self-attested copies of all certificates, and affix recent passport-size photograph
7. Pay the application fee through online mode (net banking/debit card/credit card) or as per instructions in the notification
8. Submit the application online or send the hard copy to the address mentioned in the notification via registered/speed post before the last date
9. Retain a copy of the submitted application form and payment receipt for future reference
10. Track application status through the PGIMER website or contact details provided in the notification

Application Fees

Typical / Indicative

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

1. Screening of Applications: All received applications are scrutinized for eligibility criteria including educational qualifications, experience, age limit, and completeness of application. Only eligible candidates are shortlisted for the next stage.

1. Written Test/Skill Assessment (if applicable): For certain positions, candidates may be required to appear for a written test assessing subject knowledge, research aptitude, and technical skills relevant to the project requirements.

1. Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for personal interview before a selection committee comprising principal investigator, subject experts, and administrative representatives. The interview assesses technical knowledge, research experience, communication skills, and suitability for the project.

1. Presentation/Technical Discussion: Candidates may be asked to present their previous research work, thesis summary, or give a technical presentation on topics related to the research project.

1. Document Verification: Candidates provisionally selected after interview must submit original certificates for verification including educational degrees, experience certificates, caste certificates, and identity proof.

1. Medical Examination: Selected candidates may undergo medical fitness examination at PGIMER or designated medical facility to ensure fitness for the position.

1. Final Selection: Merit list is prepared based on interview performance, qualifications, experience, and other criteria specified in the notification. Selected candidates receive offer letters with joining instructions.

Interview/Assessment Pattern

For Senior Research Fellow:

For Project Associate I:

Note: There is typically no negative marking in the interview process. Minimum qualifying marks is usually 50% for UR/EWS/OBC and 45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.

For Senior Research Fellow (Medical/Life Sciences)

• Research Methodology: Study design, sampling techniques, data collection methods, ethical considerations in research, clinical trial designs, systematic reviews and meta-analysis
• Biostatistics: Descriptive and inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, parametric and non-parametric tests, regression analysis, survival analysis, sample size calculation
• Subject-Specific Clinical Knowledge: Advanced topics in the relevant medical specialty (Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, etc.)
• Laboratory Techniques: Molecular biology techniques (PCR, RT-PCR, ELISA, Western blot, cell culture), immunological assays, histopathology, biochemical analysis
• Data Management & Analysis: SPSS, STATA, R software, data entry, data cleaning, statistical analysis, interpretation of results
• Scientific Writing: Manuscript preparation, literature review, citation management, journal submission process, ethics of publication
• Current Developments: Recent advances in the concerned medical/research field, national health programs, evidence-based medicine

For Project Associate I (General Research)

• Research Fundamentals: Basic research concepts, types of research studies, variables and measurement, literature search and review
• Basic Statistics: Measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability distributions, correlation and regression, basic statistical tests
• Project Management: Project planning, timeline development, budget management, coordination with multiple stakeholders
• Computer Applications: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), database management, basic data analysis, online literature search (PubMed, Google Scholar)
• Subject-Specific Knowledge: Topics relevant to the specific project area (Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Economics, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, etc.)
• Documentation Skills: Report writing, data recording, maintaining research logs, ethical documentation
• General Awareness: National health policies, major health programs, institutional ethics committee procedures, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines

Typical / Indicative

Salary Structure for Senior Research Fellow

Salary Structure for Project Associate I

Additional Benefits: Medical facilities at PGIMER for self (OPD/IPD at concessional rates), leave as per institute rules, research publication opportunities, conference participation support (subject to availability of funds).

Note: Salaries are as per ICMR/DBT/DST norms or as specified in the project sanction. No DA (Dearness Allowance) or other regular government allowances. These are contractual positions without pension benefits.

These positions are contractual and project-based with limited direct promotion opportunities. However, candidates gain valuable research experience, publications, and networking in premier medical institution which enhances career prospects. Upon project completion or during tenure, candidates can apply for higher research positions (Research Associate, Research Scientist) in PGIMER or other institutes, pursue Ph.D., or transition to regular faculty/scientist positions through competitive examinations and institutional recruitments.

PGIMER typically does not issue formal admit cards for interview-based selections for research positions. Shortlisted candidates receive interview call letters via email or are notified through the official website with details of interview date, time, venue, and documents to be brought. Candidates must regularly check their registered email and the PGIMER recruitment portal. On interview day, candidates should carry printout of the interview call letter/email, valid photo ID proof, and original certificates for verification.

Results of the selection process are declared on the official PGIMER website, usually within 2-4 weeks after completion of interviews. The final merit list containing names/roll numbers of selected candidates is published in PDF format. Selected candidates are individually informed via email or telephone with offer letters containing joining instructions, salary details, and project duration. Candidates must accept the offer within the stipulated timeframe (usually 7-15 days) and join on the specified date with all original documents for verification.

Typical / Indicative: For interview-based selections, the cutoff is generally the minimum qualifying marks in the interview assessment, which is typically 50 marks out of 100 for UR/EWS/OBC candidates and 45 marks out of 100 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. The actual selection depends on relative performance, number of vacancies, and specific project requirements. In highly competitive positions, selected candidates typically score 65-80 marks out of 100 in the interview. Category-wise relaxation of 5% is generally provided as per government norms.

Interview Centres:

• North: Chandigarh (PGIMER Main Campus - primary centre for most interviews), New Delhi
• Note: Most interviews are conducted at PGIMER Chandigarh campus. For exceptional cases or multi-city projects, interviews may be held at project sites or collaborating institutions. Candidates are informed about the specific interview venue in their call letter. Travel and accommodation arrangements are typically the candidate's responsibility, though some projects may provide TA/DA as per rules.