IIT Madras Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026: Apply Online, Eligibility, Salary

Recruitment overview

IIT Madras has invited applications for the temporary post of Project Associate-I in the Department of Chemical Engineering. The recruitment is being handled through the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research under Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt. 55/2026.

Important dates

The application window is short, so candidates should complete the submission well before the deadline. The official notice mentions only the closing date and does not announce a separate correction window.

Unless IIT Madras releases a corrigendum, applicants should treat 29 April 2026 as the final closing date.

Vacancy, project and department details

This recruitment is for one post only and is tied to a specific sponsored research project. The role is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering and supports an ANRF-ARG-funded project focused on disease modeling of pancreatic tumors using engineered mammalian cells.

• Number of posts: 1
• Department: Chemical Engineering
• Project theme: Disease modeling of pancreatic tumors using engineered mammalian cells
• Coordinator: Prof. Rashmi P. Mohanty

The project involves molecular biology work and experimental validation, so candidates should expect a hands-on lab-oriented role.

Eligibility criteria

The official notification combines academic qualification, qualifying test requirement, and laboratory experience. Candidates should satisfy all major parts of the eligibility condition before applying.

The notification does not present this as a broad entry-level science post. It is a research role requiring both academic suitability and relevant practical exposure.

What kind of research background fits this role

This position is best suited for candidates who already have wet-lab experience and can work independently with core molecular biology workflows. Based on the job description, the strongest fit would be someone who has already handled plasmid design, cloning or assembly, mammalian cell work, and basic validation methods.

• Experience in molecular biology workflows
• Work involving Golden Gate assembly or Gibson assembly
• Mammalian cell culture and transfection exposure
• Familiarity with microscopy and flow cytometry-based validation
• Research discipline in biotechnology, biological engineering, or closely related biosciences

If your background is mostly theoretical and lacks hands-on mammalian cell culture work, this role may not be the best fit despite having the required degree.

Job responsibilities

The notice gives a fairly clear picture of the work expected from the selected candidate. The role is not administrative and not purely data-based. It is built around experimental biology work in a research setting.

• Support the funded project on pancreatic tumor disease modeling
• Design and construct plasmids using Golden Gate or Gibson assembly
• Transfect the constructed plasmids into mammalian cells
• Help recreate pancreatic tumor environments in engineered cell systems
• Validate tumor environment formation using microscopy and flow cytometry

Applicants should be prepared for routine lab execution, troubleshooting, and documentation of experimental work as part of the project team.

Salary, duration and contract terms

The official advertisement gives a fixed monthly pay along with HRA. It also makes clear that the post is temporary and contractual.

The institute has also stated that completion of the contract period will not create any right to regularization, permanency, or automatic continuation.

How to apply online

IIT Madras has instructed candidates to apply only through the official IC&SR current openings portal. The advertisement number should be checked carefully before submission.

1. Open the IIT Madras IC&SR current openings page.
2. Find Advertisement No. 55/2026 for the Project Associate-I post.
3. Register using a valid email address or log in if already registered.
4. Fill in the online application form with correct academic, NET or GATE, and research details.
5. Review the complete application carefully because the form cannot be edited after submission.
6. Submit the application online before 29 April 2026.
7. Save or print the submitted application form for future document verification or interview stages.

The notice specifically says that hard copy of the application should not be sent to the institute.

Selection process and shortlisting

The official notification does not announce a fixed written test or interview schedule, but it explains how candidates will be screened. Shortlisting will be based on the information provided in the online application.

• Shortlisting will be based on qualifications, experience, and relevance of profile
• The institute may restrict the number of candidates for written test, skill test, or interview
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• The institute reserves the right to decide the mode of screening and testing

This means applicants should expect a merit-based screening process rather than automatic interview calls for everyone who applies.

Application rules candidates should not miss

A few instructions in the official notice can affect candidature directly. These are worth checking before the final submission.

• Apply online only through the official recruitment portal.
• Do not submit multiple applications for the same post.
• Use an active email address because institute communication will be by email.
• The application cannot be edited or reverted after submission.
• If currently working in a project at IIT Madras, apply through proper channel or produce a No Objection Certificate when required.
• Keep a printout of the submitted form for test, interview, or document verification.

Candidates should also watch the official site for any corrigendum or clarification notice after applying.

Age limit, fee and other practical points

The available official notification does not clearly mention a separate application fee or a specific age limit for this post. Candidates should therefore rely only on the stated eligibility, experience, and portal instructions unless a later update is published.

If there is any technical issue in form submission, candidates should use the official IC&SR contact details mentioned in the notice.

Official Links

• Official Notification PDF - Advertisement 55/2026
• IIT Madras IC&SR Current Openings
• IIT Madras IC&SR Recruitment Portal
• IIT Madras Official Website