IIT ISM Dhanbad has released a project staff recruitment notice for 1 Research Assistant position under an ICSSR-funded project titled “Towards Viksit Bharat: Case Studies on Tribal Female Sarpanches in the Mayurbhanj District of Odisha.” The post is housed in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and is linked to a women-led development research call.
This is not a regular institute recruitment. It is a project-based position with a fixed research role, a defined fellowship, and a limited tenure. The notice shows that the overall project tenure is 12 months, while the Research Assistant engagement is for 4 months. Applicants should therefore read it as a short-term research appointment rather than a permanent institutional vacancy.
The official notice is quite clear about the type of profile needed. Candidates must have a postgraduate degree in a Social Science discipline with at least 55% marks and NET, M.Phil, or Ph.D. Desirable preference is given to applicants who can understand and write Odia, transcribe from Odia to English, and work on qualitative analysis and research documentation. That combination makes this opening especially relevant for candidates with fieldwork and social science research experience.
Recruitment Overview
IIT ISM Dhanbad is recruiting 1 Research Assistant under a sponsored research project in the Humanities and Social Sciences domain. The official notice has been issued through the Office of the Dean (Research and Development).
This is a project staff opening, not a regular non-teaching or faculty recruitment. The position is linked to a specific ICSSR project and is meant for candidates who can support fieldwork, transcription, qualitative analysis, and research writing.
Project Title and Vacancy Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Post | Research Assistant |
| Number of posts | 1 |
| Project title | Towards Viksit Bharat: Case Studies on Tribal Female Sarpanches in the Mayurbhanj District of Odisha |
| Principal Investigator | Dr. Dipannita Chand |
| Department | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Project category | ICSSR women-led development project |
The notice identifies this as a project staff position under the ICSSR Punyashloka Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Special Call for Women-Led Research on Women-Led Development.
Important Dates and Application Mode
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Notice date | 24 February 2026 |
| Last date and time | 30 April 2026 |
| Application mode | Online through the link provided in the official notice |
The recruitment notice provides an online application link. Candidates should complete the form before the closing date instead of waiting for a last-day submission.
The interview date is not announced in the notice. Shortlisted candidates will be informed separately.
Essential Eligibility
The official notice requires applicants to be postgraduates in any Social Science discipline with a minimum of 55% marks and with NET, M.Phil, or Ph.D.
This means a candidate with only a general postgraduate degree but without the additional qualification condition mentioned in the notice may not fit the eligibility requirement. Applicants should read the wording carefully and apply only if they satisfy the full condition.
Desirable Qualification and Language Requirement
The notice gives preference to candidates who are fluent in understanding and writing the Odia language and who can transcribe from Odia to English. It also mentions proficiency in professional English writing.
This is important because the project involves case studies from Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. Candidates with region-specific language ability and experience in research transcription are likely to be more relevant to the assignment.
Job Role and Expected Work
The Research Assistant is expected to help with data collection where required, transcribe data, and perform qualitative data analysis, preferably through software. The candidate should also be proficient in MS Word and Excel for preparing research reports and articles.
This makes the role suitable for candidates who already understand interview-based or field-based social science research, transcription workflows, and qualitative analysis practices. The work is not limited to routine office support; it involves actual research assistance and reporting.
Age Limit, Fellowship and Tenure
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum age | 30 years |
| Monthly fellowship | Rs. 37,000 |
| Overall project tenure | 12 months |
| Research Assistant tenure | 4 months |
The limited tenure is a practical point candidates should note before applying. This is a short-duration engagement and should be assessed accordingly in terms of availability, travel, and research workload.
How to Apply
- Open the official project recruitment PDF issued by IIT ISM Dhanbad.
- Check that you meet the postgraduate, marks, and NET or M.Phil or Ph.D. requirement.
- Review the desirable language and transcription requirement carefully.
- Use the online application link provided in the official notice.
- Fill in your academic, research, and contact details accurately.
- Submit the form before 30 April 2026.
The official notice routes applications through an online form link. Since the application mechanism is simple, candidates should spend more time on eligibility matching and profile relevance than on the submission process itself.
Selection Process
The notice states that shortlisted candidates will be informed about the date of interview. It also clearly says that mere possession of minimum qualification does not guarantee an invitation to the interview.
Candidates will be shortlisted on merit and according to project requirements. No TA or DA will be paid for attending the interview, and candidates are expected to make their own arrangements for stay in Dhanbad if required.
What Applicants Should Check Before Applying
- Confirm that your postgraduate subject falls within Social Science.
- Check that you have at least 55% marks.
- Verify that you also hold NET, M.Phil, or Ph.D. as required.
- Assess whether you can work with Odia-language source material and English transcription.
- Make sure you are available for a short-term 4-month research engagement.
- Be prepared for qualitative data handling, field-related work, and research report drafting.
This is a focused project role. Candidates whose profile fits both the academic requirement and the Odisha-linked language or transcription need are more likely to be practical matches for the post.
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
There is 1 Research Assistant post.
The last date to apply is 30 April 2026.
Applicants must be postgraduates in a Social Science discipline with at least 55% marks and with NET, M.Phil, or Ph.D.
The maximum age limit mentioned in the notice is 30 years.
The fellowship is Rs. 37,000 per month.
Yes. The notice lists understanding and writing Odia, and transcribing from Odia to English, as desirable qualifications.
No. The notice says shortlisted candidates will be informed about the interview date separately.