Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has invited applications for Research Associate Fellowship positions under Advertisement No. 3/2026(R-V). The official notice states that applications are invited for work on research and development projects at BARC, Mumbai, and the last date for receipt of application is 24 April 2026. The application mode is offline, and candidates have to use the prescribed format attached with the notification.
This recruitment is not for one single generic post with one uniform subject requirement. Instead, it is spread across Research Project Nos. 1 to 25, with Project No. 7 carrying two separate sub-positions. Together, the notice covers 56 Research Associate Fellowship openings across nuclear fuels, reactor materials, laser and plasma technologies, chemical engineering, desalination, rare earth processing, muon tomography, nuclear agriculture, radiopharmaceutical research, accelerator systems and nuclear physics.
Applicants should read the project-specific qualification section carefully before applying. The official notification makes it clear that applications will be screened, only screened-in candidates will be called for interview, and separate applications with separate document sets are required for each research project. It also says that applications by email will not be accepted.
Recruitment overview
BARC has invited offline applications for Research Associate Fellowship positions to work on various R&D projects in Mumbai. The recruitment is project-based and the official notification is issued under Advertisement No. 3/2026(R-V).
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Bhabha Atomic Research Centre |
| Advertisement No. | 3/2026(R-V) |
| Post | Research Associate (RA) Fellowship |
| Total positions | 56 |
| Application mode | Offline |
| Job location | Mumbai |
| Last date for receipt of application | 24 April 2026 |
Important dates and application timeline
The official PDF clearly gives the last date for receipt of application. Since this is an offline application process, candidates should keep postal delivery time in mind and not wait until the last day.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement issued | 2026 recruitment cycle |
| Last date for receipt of application | 24 April 2026 |
| Interview schedule | To be announced on the BARC website after screening |
The notice also states that all information related to selection will be made available on the BARC website. Candidates should therefore check the official site regularly after applying.
Vacancy breakup and project coverage
The 56 Research Associate positions are spread across Research Project Nos. 1 to 25, with Project No. 7 carrying two separate sub-positions. The openings are not in one subject area, so candidates should identify the exact project number relevant to their background.
| Project group | Positions |
|---|---|
| Radiochemical research and chemical quality control for nuclear fuels and reactor materials (Projects 1 to 5) | 5 |
| Laser, plasma, electron beam technologies and related applications (Projects 6 to 12, including 7(a) and 7(b)) | 9 |
| Chemical engineering, hydrogen production and water purification (Projects 13 to 19) | 14 |
| Rare earth oxides, phosphors, alloys and metal recovery (Project 20) | 4 |
| Muon tomography based ICS (Project 21) | 2 |
| Nuclear agriculture and food preservation (Project 22) | 15 |
| Radiochemicals, radiopharmaceuticals and radiation sources (Project 23) | 4 |
| Niobium resonator, ECRIS, RIB and neutrino studies (Project 24) | 2 |
| Accelerator and reactor based nuclear physics research (Project 25) | 1 |
| Total | 56 |
Research areas covered in the notification
This recruitment spans a wide set of research themes. Applicants should not assume a common syllabus or a single generic discipline requirement.
- Nuclear fuels, reactor materials and actinide chemistry
- Polymer electrolytes, electrochemistry and thermophysical studies of nuclear materials
- Laser, plasma and electron beam technologies
- Laser spectroscopy, particle accelerators and quantum computing related laser systems
- Chemical engineering, hydrometallurgy, desalination and membrane development
- Rare earth hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy and recovery of uranium and other metals
- Muon tomography based instrumentation and software
- Nuclear agriculture, biotechnology, plant science and food technology
- Radiochemicals, radiopharmaceuticals and molecular targeting agents
- Experimental nuclear physics and accelerator based studies
Because the technical areas vary significantly, candidates should match their qualification and research experience with the exact project number before applying.
Eligibility and qualification structure
The educational qualification is project-specific. The notice itself states that educational qualification is as indicated against each research project.
For most projects, the required qualification is a Ph.D. in the relevant discipline, such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Biosciences, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Materials Science, Food Technology and related areas. However, the notice also includes one project group where the listed qualification is B.E. or B.Tech. or M.E. or M.Tech. in specified engineering disciplines with relevant experience.
The official notes also make two important points:
- Scholars who have only submitted their Ph.D. thesis and are awaiting evaluation are not eligible for this fellowship.
- A person with Provisional or Regular Ph.D. will be treated at par with Research Associates and will be eligible for fellowship as per extant rates.
Candidates should therefore rely on the exact project table in the official PDF instead of applying based on the post title alone.
Fellowship amount and duration
The Research Associates will be placed at one of three fellowship levels depending on qualification and experience. The level is to be decided by the interview committee.
| Fellowship level | Monthly fellowship | Contingency grant | Other benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RA-I | Rs. 58,000 per month | Rs. 60,000 per annum | HRA as applicable |
| RA-II | Rs. 61,000 per month | Rs. 60,000 per annum | HRA as applicable |
| RA-III | Rs. 67,000 per month | Rs. 60,000 per annum | HRA as applicable |
The fellowship level will be decided on the basis of the quality of the Ph.D. thesis, post-Ph.D. research experience reflected in publications or products and processes developed, and performance in the selection interview.
The duration of fellowship differs by project. Many entries state maximum 3 years, while some projects specify an end date such as 30 June 2029, 31 January 2029, 31 December 2027 or 31 January 2028, or maximum three years, whichever is earlier.
How to apply offline
The notification requires candidates to apply in the prescribed format. The filled application, along with bio-data and supporting documents, has to be sent physically to the address given in the notice.
- Download the official notification PDF.
- Use the prescribed application format attached in the notice.
- Fill in the form completely and clearly.
- Attach one set of photocopies of mark sheets, degree certificates from SSC onwards, academic credentials and work experience documents.
- Superscribe the Research Project No. on the envelope.
- Send the application to the address mentioned in the official notice before the last date.
The postal address mentioned in the notification is: Deputy Establishment Officer, Recruitment-V, Central Complex, BARC, Trombay, Mumbai-400085.
Documents required with the application
The notification asks candidates to send the prescribed application together with supporting academic and experience documents. A careful and complete document set matters because applications will be screened before interview.
- Filled application form in the prescribed format
- Complete bio-data
- Photocopies of mark sheets from SSC onwards
- Degree certificates from SSC to M.E., M.Tech. or Ph.D., as applicable
- Other academic credentials
- Work experience documents, wherever applicable
- Caste certificate copy, if applicable
- Recent passport size photograph in the application form
The form also asks for details such as academic career, Ph.D. topic, experience, publications, conference participation and references.
Selection process and interview rules
BARC has stated that selection will be on interview basis only. Applications received will first be screened, and only screened-in candidates will be interviewed.
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| Application screening | Confirmed |
| Interview | Confirmed |
| Written test | Not mentioned in this notification |
The notification also says that candidates will not be allowed to appear for the interview if they fail to bring a copy of the application, a valid photo identity card and all original documents at the time of interview. Acceptable photo identity examples mentioned in the notice include Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving Licence, College ID and Voter ID.
Important instructions from the official notice
Before applying, candidates should keep the following official conditions in mind:
- Apply separately for each research project with a separate set of documents.
- Applications sent through email will not be accepted or considered.
- All updates related to selection will be published on the BARC website.
- Hostel accommodation will not be provided to Research Associates.
- Corrigendum or addendum, if any, will be uploaded only on the BARC website.
- Furnishing incomplete, false or misleading information can lead to cancellation of candidature or selection.
- Legal disputes arising from the notification are subject to Mumbai jurisdiction only.
No separate application fee is mentioned in the official notification. Candidates should rely on the PDF and the BARC careers page for any later update.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many posts are available in BARC Research Associate Recruitment 2026?
The official notification covers 56 Research Associate Fellowship positions.
What is the last date to apply for BARC Research Associate Recruitment 2026?
The last date for receipt of application is 24 April 2026.
What is the mode of application for this BARC recruitment?
The application mode is offline. Candidates have to send the prescribed application form and documents by post.
What is the selection process for BARC Research Associate Fellowship 2026?
Selection will be on interview basis only after screening of applications.
Is a Ph.D. required for all projects in this recruitment?
Most projects require a Ph.D. in the relevant field, but the notification also includes one project group with engineering degree based eligibility as specified in the notice.
What is the fellowship amount for BARC Research Associates?
The fellowship levels are RA-I at Rs. 58,000 per month, RA-II at Rs. 61,000 per month and RA-III at Rs. 67,000 per month, each with Rs. 60,000 annual contingency grant plus applicable HRA.
Can candidates apply for more than one research project?
Yes, but a separate application with a separate set of documents is required for each research project.
Are email applications accepted for BARC Research Associate Recruitment 2026?
No. The official notice clearly says applications received through email will not be accepted or considered.