This IIT Delhi Principal Project Scientist Recruitment 2026 is for a single project-based position under the Industrial Research and Development Unit of the institute. The post is tied to a specific research project in the Department of Material Science & Engineering, so the first things an applicant usually needs are the project title, required specialization, pay, and the exact application method. Those details matter here because this is not a regular institute cadre recruitment.

The advertised project is Photon Number Resolved Superconducting Single Photon Detectors (PNR-SNSDP), and the post is Principal Project Scientist. The academic requirement is a PhD in one of the listed areas, along with relevant research experience in superconductivity. The notification also gives a practical preference point: hands-on experience with measurements on low-temperature devices is considered an advantage.

The application route is straightforward but should be followed carefully. Candidates need to download and fill Form IRD/REC-4 from the IIT Delhi IRD website, attach their details and supporting records, and send the complete application by email before 1 May 2026. Since this kind of recruitment generally relies on shortlisting rather than a large written test cycle, accuracy of the application and relevance of research background are important.

Recruitment Overview

IIT Delhi has invited applications for 1 Principal Project Scientist post under a sponsored research project handled through its IRD Unit. This is a project appointment and should be read as a research position linked to a specific funded project rather than a regular institute service post.

ParticularDetails
InstituteIndian Institute of Technology Delhi
Recruitment unitIRD Unit
PostPrincipal Project Scientist
Total vacancy1
Advertisement No.IITD/IRD/092/2026
Application modeEmail
Job typeProject-based appointment

Project and Department Details

The post is attached to a research project in the Department of Material Science & Engineering at IIT Delhi. The project title published with the recruitment listing is Photon Number Resolved Superconducting Single Photon Detectors (PNR-SNSDP).

This project context is important because the recruitment is clearly looking for a candidate whose research profile fits superconductivity-related work, not just a general science or engineering background.

  • Department: Material Science & Engineering
  • Project title: Photon Number Resolved Superconducting Single Photon Detectors (PNR-SNSDP)
  • Project number: RP04411G
  • Faculty contact listed with the opening: Prof. Krishna B. Balasubramanian

Important Dates

The closing date is clearly available in the recruitment listing. Candidates should complete the application well before the deadline because project recruitments often do not provide a long correction window.

EventDate
Recruitment year2026
Last date for application1 May 2026
Interview modeOnline interview for shortlisted candidates

The official listing does not clearly publish a separate written test date or document verification schedule for this post.

Eligibility and Required Qualification

The published requirement for this post is a PhD in one of the specified disciplines. The role is specialized, so applicants should match both the academic qualification and the research area as closely as possible.

Requirement typeDetails
Minimum qualificationPhD
Accepted disciplinesPhysics, Material Science, Nanotechnology, Electrical Engineering
Core research expectationExperience in superconductivity research
Advantageous experienceHands-on work with measurements on low-temperature devices

If a candidate has a PhD in a closely related area but without clear superconductivity research exposure, shortlisting may be less likely compared with applicants whose work is directly aligned to the project.

Salary and Appointment Nature

The pay published for this post is fixed at Rs. 56,000 per month plus HRA at 27%. This is a project-based appointment under IIT Delhi IRD rules, so applicants should treat it as a contractual research position tied to project requirements.

ComponentDetails
Monthly payRs. 56,000
HRA27%
Appointment typeProject-based

The notification available in public search results does not clearly state a permanent service benefit structure for this post. Candidates should therefore read it as a funded project appointment governed by IRD conditions.

Selection Process

The available recruitment details indicate that the selection process is based on shortlisting and online interview. No separate CBT, written test, or detailed exam syllabus is clearly published for this specific opening.

  1. Submission of application in the prescribed IRD format.
  2. Shortlisting based on qualification, specialization, and relevant research experience.
  3. Online interview for shortlisted candidates.

Because the role is research-specific, the selection is likely to place greater weight on doctoral background, publications or applied research fit, and experience directly related to superconductivity and low-temperature measurement work.

How to Apply

The recruitment is described as an email-based application through the IIT Delhi IRD process. Candidates should use the official IRD application form and submit the completed materials before the deadline.

  1. Download Form No. IRD/REC-4 from the IIT Delhi IRD website.
  2. Fill the application form carefully with educational, research, and experience details.
  3. Prepare supporting documents such as degree certificates, marksheets, research experience records, and relevant proof of work.
  4. Send the completed application by email as instructed in the official notification.
  5. Mention the advertisement number and post name correctly in the application communication.

If the official PDF gives a department or faculty email address, candidates should use that exact address and keep a copy of the sent application for reference.

Documents to Keep Ready

Project recruitments at IIT Delhi usually move quickly once shortlisting starts, so it is practical to keep a complete document set ready before applying.

  • Filled IRD/REC-4 application form
  • Recent CV or bio-data
  • PhD degree certificate or provisional certificate
  • Marksheets and certificates of earlier qualifications
  • Research experience certificates
  • List of publications, patents, or major project work, if applicable
  • Identity proof
  • Any relevant proof of experience in superconductivity research or low-temperature device measurements

Even when the recruitment note does not spell out every single attachment in the public snippet, sending a complete and organized application helps avoid rejection at the shortlisting stage.

Application Fee and Age Limit

The publicly available recruitment details do not clearly mention any application fee for this specific project post. They also do not clearly publish a separate age limit in the brief details available through search listings.

ItemStatus
Application feeNot clearly mentioned in the available official listing summary
Age limitNot clearly mentioned in the available official listing summary

If the detailed PDF includes any additional condition, the PDF should be treated as the final authority. Where the notice is silent, candidates should not assume a fee waiver or a specific age cutoff unless it is explicitly written in the official document.

Practical Points Before Applying

This recruitment is narrow and research-focused, so a generic application is less useful than a targeted one. Before applying, check whether your PhD specialization and actual research work line up with the advertised project.

  • Use the correct advertisement number: IITD/IRD/092/2026.
  • Read the project title carefully to understand the research fit expected.
  • Highlight direct superconductivity research work in your CV or covering note.
  • Mention low-temperature device measurement experience if you have it.
  • Do not wait for a separate exam schedule, because the process appears to move directly to shortlisting and interview.
  • Check the IIT Delhi IRD openings or shortlisted candidates page for later updates.

For most applicants, the real cutoff will not be a written exam score but whether their research profile matches the project well enough to receive an interview call.

Official Links

Frequently Asked Questions

The last date to apply is 1 May 2026.

There is 1 vacancy for the post of Principal Project Scientist.

Candidates need a PhD in Physics, Material Science, Nanotechnology, or Electrical Engineering, with experience in superconductivity research.

The salary is Rs. 56,000 per month plus HRA at 27%.

The available recruitment details indicate shortlisting followed by an online interview.

You need to download Form IRD/REC-4 from the IIT Delhi IRD website, fill it, attach the required documents, and submit the application by email as instructed in the official notice.

The post is linked to the Department of Material Science & Engineering.

Yes. Hands-on experience with measurements on low-temperature devices is specifically mentioned as an advantage.