BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus has released a project recruitment notice for two temporary positions under an ICSSR-funded research project. The posts are one Research Assistant and one Field Investigator, and both are tied to a specific two-year project rather than a regular permanent recruitment cycle. Candidates looking for the last date, qualification, and how the selection will happen should rely on the official BITS Pilani notice because third-party summaries may shorten the Research Assistant role as RA and describe it differently.
The project is titled India’s Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) Welfare Gain Analysis: A Computational Framework using Terms of Trade and AI/ML-based Automation. For applicants, the most important practical points are straightforward: both posts require a postgraduate degree in a social science discipline with at least 55% marks, the Research Assistant post has an additional NET, M.Phil., or Ph.D. requirement, and the application deadline is 23 April 2026.
This recruitment does not mention a written test. Instead, the official notice says preliminary shortlisting will be based on the resume and a telephonic or audio-visual interview, followed by intimation about the final interview through email. Because this is a project-based academic recruitment, applicants should focus on role fit, research alignment, and whether their academic background matches the social science requirement mentioned in the advertisement.
Recruitment Overview
This BITS Pilani Goa recruitment is for two temporary research project posts under an ICSSR-funded project. The positions are based at the K K Birla Goa Campus and relate to a two-year academic research assignment rather than a regular institute cadre post.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute | BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus |
| Total posts | 2 |
| Project type | ICSSR-funded research project |
| Project duration | 2 years |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application deadline | 23 April 2026 |
| Selection method | Resume-based shortlisting and interview stages |
Post Names and Vacancy Breakup
The official advertisement lists one Research Assistant post and one Field Investigator post. This matters because some summary listings may refer to the RA role as Research Associate, but applicants should follow the designation used in the official BITS Pilani PDF.
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Research Assistant | 1 |
| Field Investigator | 1 |
| Total | 2 |
If you are applying, use the official post name and align your CV and cover letter to the role described in the advertisement.
Project Details and Research Area
The posts are part of an ICSSR-funded project titled India’s Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) Welfare Gain Analysis: A Computational Framework using Terms of Trade and AI/ML-based Automation.
The notice identifies the broad research area as Trade and Development, Blue Economy, Maritime Economics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. This means applicants should not only meet the formal educational criteria, but should also be able to show how their academic background or research interest connects to the project theme.
The project investigators listed in the notice are Prof. Rajesh Barik, Prof. Rudra Prasad Pradhan, Prof. Hemant Rathore, and Prof. Jestin Johny.
Eligibility and Educational Qualification
The educational requirement is postgraduate study in a social science discipline for both posts. The Research Assistant post has an additional academic requirement beyond the basic postgraduate qualification.
| Post Name | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Research Assistant | Postgraduate in a social science discipline with at least 55% marks and NET or M.Phil. or Ph.D. |
| Field Investigator | Postgraduate in a social science discipline with at least 55% marks |
The official notice does not mention separate experience requirements, age relaxation categories, or reservation breakup. Candidates should therefore apply only if their academic record clearly fits the criteria stated in the advertisement.
Stipend, Accommodation and Other Benefits
The monthly fellowship amount is clearly stated in the official notice. The Research Assistant post carries a higher stipend than the Field Investigator post.
| Post Name | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Research Assistant | Rs. 37,000 per month |
| Field Investigator | Rs. 20,000 per month |
The notice also states that hostel accommodation may be provided subject to availability and institute rules at the time of joining. It further mentions access to institute infrastructure and that the selected candidate may get a chance to apply for the Ph.D. degree at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, subject to applicable Ph.D. rules.
Application Process and Last Date
The official advertisement says candidates must apply with a CV and a cover letter showing alignment and justification with the roles and responsibilities. The application has to be submitted online using the Google Form mentioned in the official notice.
Download and read the official BITS Pilani advertisement.
Check which of the two posts matches your qualification.
Prepare an updated CV.
Write a focused cover letter explaining why your academic background fits the project.
Submit the application through the form specified in the official notice before the deadline.
The application deadline is 23 April 2026. Candidates should not wait until the last day because incomplete or poorly matched submissions are likely to be screened out in the shortlisting stage.
Selection Process
The notice does not describe a written examination. Instead, it sets out a screening and interview-based selection process.
Preliminary shortlisting will be based on the resume.
There will be a telephonic or audio-visual interview within two weeks of the last date of application.
Shortlisted candidates will be informed through email about the final interview.
The notice also states that no TA or DA will be provided in case of a personal interview. Applicants should therefore be prepared for an initial remote screening followed by further interaction if shortlisted.
What to Include in the CV and Cover Letter
Because this recruitment uses resume-based shortlisting, the quality and relevance of your application documents matter. Candidates should keep the CV clear and directly related to the post they are applying for.
Your postgraduate degree details and marks
NET, M.Phil., or Ph.D. details if applying for the Research Assistant post
Research interests related to trade, development, blue economy, maritime economics, AI, or machine learning where relevant
Academic projects, publications, dissertations, or fieldwork in the social sciences
Contact details that are active and checked regularly
The cover letter should explain why you are applying, how your background matches the project, and which role you are targeting. A generic one-page application is less useful than a short but specific explanation tied to the project theme.
Important Details Not Mentioned in the Notice
Applicants often look for age limit, application fee, reservation details, and joining timeline. In this case, the official advertisement does not specify several of these points.
| Item | Status in Official Notice |
|---|---|
| Age limit | Not specified |
| Application fee | Not specified |
| Reservation breakup | Not specified |
| Exact final interview date | Not specified in advance |
When the official notice is silent on a point, candidates should avoid assuming details from unrelated BITS Pilani recruitments. Follow only the terms written in this advertisement and any direct communication received from the project team.
Contact Details and Final Application Check
The notice provides contact details for further information through the project team at the Goa campus.
Contact person: Prof. Rajesh Barik, Department of Economics, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus.
Before submitting the form, applicants should check four things carefully: that they are using the correct post name, that their postgraduate subject is in social science, that the cover letter explains alignment with the project, and that the application is submitted before 23 April 2026. These checks are simple, but they make a practical difference in project-based shortlisting.
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 2 posts in total: 1 Research Assistant and 1 Field Investigator.
The application deadline mentioned in the official notice is 23 April 2026.
The Research Assistant post requires a postgraduate degree in a social science discipline with at least 55% marks and NET or M.Phil. or Ph.D.
The Field Investigator post requires a postgraduate degree in a social science discipline with at least 55% marks.
The Research Assistant post carries Rs. 37,000 per month, and the Field Investigator post carries Rs. 20,000 per month.
Selection will begin with resume-based shortlisting, followed by a telephonic or audio-visual interview, and shortlisted candidates will be informed by email about the final interview.
No. The official advertisement does not specify an age limit or an application fee.