Recruitment Overview
IISER Pune has invited Indian nationals for a walk-in interview for the post of Research Associate-I. The recruitment is being conducted on a temporary and contractual basis under a funded project in the Chemistry department.
The official advertisement identifies this as Advertisement No. 20/2026 and states that only one post is available. Candidates who meet the notified criteria can attend the interview directly on the scheduled date with the required form and supporting documents.
Post and Project Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Post | Research Associate-I |
| No. of posts | 01 |
| Project title | Development of Proteolytically Stable alpha, gamma-Peptides as Potent antibiotics for Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections |
| Project code | 34575779 |
| Funding agency | Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) |
| Department context | Funded project in Chemistry department |
The vacancy is tied to a specific funded research project, so the recruitment is project-linked rather than part of a regular institute cadre appointment.
Walk-in Date, Time and Venue
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Interview date | Tuesday, 07 April 2026 |
| Reporting time | 10:30 AM |
| Late reporting rule | Candidates reporting after 10:30 AM will not be considered |
| Venue | Seminar Room No.33, Main Building, IISER Pune |
Candidates should plan to reach the venue before the reporting time, because the notice specifically states that late arrivals will not be considered for the selection process.
Eligibility and Educational Qualification
The minimum educational qualification prescribed in the official notice is Ph.D. in Chemistry with specialization in Peptides, or Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or any closely related field.
The notice also says that candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis and are awaiting award of the degree are eligible to attend. However, those candidates are treated differently for designation and pay, as specified in the emoluments section of the advertisement.
Preferred Experience
IISER Pune has listed specific areas of hands-on experience that will be preferred during screening and interview. These include:
- Experience in cell culture
- Experience in handling cytotoxicity studies of peptides
- Experience with peptide antibiotics
- Experience studying the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides
- Proficiency in confocal microscopy
- Experience in handling animals
These are preference criteria and can help differentiate candidates during shortlisting if many eligible applicants attend the walk-in.
Emoluments and Designation Conditions
The official notice provides two pay outcomes depending on the candidate's degree status.
| Candidate status | Monthly emoluments |
|---|---|
| Selected as Research Associate-I | Rs. 58,000 plus 30% House Rent Allowance |
| Candidates who have submitted thesis and will be designated as Senior Research Fellow | Rs. 42,000 plus 30% House Rent Allowance per month |
This means candidates awaiting formal award of the Ph.D. degree are still eligible, but they would not be placed at the Research Associate-I pay level until the degree position matches the institute's stated condition.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The upper age limit is 35 years as on the date of the walk-in interview. The notice further states that age relaxation commensurate with educational qualifications or experience may be considered for candidates who have qualifications and experience higher than those advertised, subject to prior approval of the competent authority.
Candidates should therefore read the age rule with care and carry all supporting records if they intend to rely on higher qualifications or additional experience.
Tenure and Nature of Appointment
The appointment is initially for a period of 6 months and may be extended further subject to satisfactory performance of the selected candidate and continuation of the project.
The institute has made it clear that the appointment is purely temporary and will terminate automatically without notice or compensation on completion or termination of the project. The selected person will have no claim for appointment or absorption in the funding agency or IISER Pune.
Documents to Carry
Applicants attending the walk-in interview must bring the prescribed application form and the required supporting records.
- Duly filled prescribed application form downloaded through the institute's Apply Now link
- Original certificate regarding date of birth
- Original mark sheets and certificates starting from 10th onward
- All certificates regarding experience mentioned in the application form
- One government-issued photo identity proof
- One set of self-attested photocopies of the above documents
- One recent passport-size color photograph
Candidates who do not bring the required originals and photocopies may face difficulty in being considered during the walk-in process.
Selection Process and Important Conditions
The notice says that the prescribed educational qualification and experience are the bare minimum and mere possession of them does not automatically entitle a candidate to be called for interview. If applications are large in number, the Project Investigator may restrict the number of candidates to a reasonable limit based on qualifications and experience above the minimum advertised criteria.
- The number of posts may vary depending on requirements during the selection process.
- The experience requirement may be relaxed based on the cohort of applications, with prior approval of the competent authority.
- If a selected candidate does not join or resigns after joining, waitlisted candidates may be offered the post.
- No TA or DA will be paid for appearing for the interview.
- No interim enquiries or correspondence will be entertained.
- Any attempt to bring influence, political or otherwise, will be treated as disqualification.
Candidates should also keep checking the institute website regularly for any update related to the post.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in IISER Pune Research Associate I Recruitment 2026?
The official notice announces 1 vacancy for the post of Research Associate-I.
What is the walk-in interview date for IISER Pune Research Associate I Recruitment 2026?
The walk-in interview is scheduled for 07 April 2026 at 10:30 AM.
What is the venue for the IISER Pune Research Associate I walk-in interview?
The venue is Seminar Room No.33, Main Building, IISER Pune.
What qualification is required for the Research Associate-I post?
Candidates need a Ph.D. in Chemistry with specialization in Peptides, or in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related field.
Can candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis but not received the degree attend?
Yes. The notice says such candidates are eligible, but they will be designated as Senior Research Fellow and paid according to the rate stated for that category.
What is the salary for IISER Pune Research Associate I Recruitment 2026?
The emoluments are Rs. 58,000 plus 30% House Rent Allowance for Research Associate-I, and Rs. 42,000 plus 30% House Rent Allowance for eligible thesis-submitted candidates designated as Senior Research Fellow.
What is the age limit for the IISER Pune Research Associate-I post?
The upper age limit is 35 years as on the date of the walk-in interview, with relaxation possible in the circumstances mentioned in the official notice.
Will IISER Pune pay TA or DA for attending the interview?
No. The official notice clearly states that no TA or DA will be admissible for appearing for the interview.