NISER Bhubaneswar Project Associate I Recruitment 2026

Recruitment overview

NISER Bhubaneswar has released a temporary recruitment notice for 2 Project Associate-I positions in the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences. The posts are under the project “Multifaceted Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence,” funded by the University of Oxford.

The recruitment is being handled by the Research and Development Section of NISER. The official advertisement number is NISER / R&D / EPS2501 / 04 / 2026-27.

Important dates

Candidates should not wait until the last day because the process includes both emailing the filled application and completing the additional online form.

Vacancy and project details

There are 2 temporary positions of Project Associate-I. These posts are linked to a specific research project and are not regular institute vacancies.

Eligibility criteria

The official notification sets out both academic and test-related requirements. Candidates should read the qualification part carefully because the salary and consideration can differ depending on whether they hold a valid national eligibility qualification.

• At least 55% marks or equivalent GPA in a Master's degree in Physics, Astronomy, Space Sciences, or a relevant field
• Or a 4-year B.E./B.Tech degree in an engineering discipline
• Valid CSIR-UGC NET including lectureship or valid GATE is listed in the qualification requirements
• Candidates without a valid NET or GATE may still be considered for Project Associate-I at a lower monthly emolument as stated in the official notice

This means candidates should not assume automatic rejection if they do not hold NET or GATE, but they should also not assume the higher fellowship amount without it.

Desirable skills and preferred profile

NISER has clearly mentioned the profile it prefers for this role. Since the project is computational and research-focused, programming ability matters.

• Strong programming and computational skills in Python
• Knowledge of machine learning
• Awareness of radio astronomy

Candidates whose degree matches the minimum eligibility but who also have hands-on coding or data analysis experience may be better aligned with the project work described in the notice.

Salary, age limit and tenure

The monthly emoluments depend on whether the candidate has a valid CSIR-UGC NET or GATE qualification.

The upper age limit is 35 years as on 30 April 2026. Age relaxation for entitled categories will be as per rules.

The positions are purely temporary for one year or till completion of the project, whichever is earlier. They are strictly co-terminus with the project and do not lead to any claim for absorption against a NISER post.

Selection process and interview details

The official notice states that candidates are invited for an online interview only, to be conducted through Google Meet. The interview is scheduled for 7 May 2026 at about 10:00 AM.

No written examination pattern has been mentioned in the notice. Screening is likely to be based on the application form, academic background, eligibility test status, and fit with the research requirements of the project.

The recruitment notice does not mention payment of TA or DA. It specifically states that no TA or DA will be paid to the candidate for joining the position.

How to apply

1. Download or use the application form provided in pages 2 and 3 of the official recruitment notice.
2. Fill in all required details including personal information, category, educational qualifications, NET or GATE status, and experience.
3. Scan the filled-in application form and keep scanned copies of relevant certificates ready.
4. Email the filled application form and scanned certificates to liton@niser.ac.in.
5. Complete the additional Google form mentioned in the official notice.
6. Finish both steps before 30 April 2026, 5:00 PM.

The notice makes it clear that candidates should appear for the online interview only after completing the application steps in time.

Documents and details to prepare

The official application form shows the main information and document categories that candidates should prepare before applying.

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Proof of date of birth
• Correspondence and permanent address details
• Contact number and email address
• Category certificate for SC, ST, OBC or PWD, if applicable
• CSIR-UGC NET or GATE certificate, if applicable
• Educational qualification details from graduation onward
• Experience details, if any
• Scanned copies of relevant certificates for initial verification

Since the shortlisting will rely on the application and scanned records, candidates should ensure that their certificates are readable and consistent with the data entered in the form.

Application fee, contact and key conditions

The official recruitment notice does not mention any application fee for this Project Associate-I recruitment.

For clarification, candidates can contact Dr. Liton Majumdar through the email address given in the official notice: liton@niser.ac.in.

The appointment is temporary, project-linked, and does not lead to a PhD degree in NISER through this recruitment. It also does not create any right or claim for regular appointment in the institute.

NISER Bhubaneswar is located at Jatni, Khurda, Odisha - 752050.

Official Links

• Official Notification PDF
• NISER Temporary Positions Current Page
• NISER Announcements Page