National Institute of Technology Rourkela has released an official advertisement for recruitment to the post of Junior Research Fellow under a sponsored research project in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The project focuses on the design and development of UV-assisted self-cleaning ceramic membrane filters for recycling circulated water blowdown from thermal power stations.
This is a temporary and contractual project position. The engagement will be co-terminus with the completion of the project and will follow the rules of the funding agency and NIT Rourkela. Candidates should not treat this as a regular permanent institute appointment.
Applicants must check the qualification, national eligibility test requirement, age limit, desirable skills and interview schedule carefully before applying. The application must be submitted in soft copy with the required documents by 20 May 2026.
NIT Rourkela JRF Recruitment 2026 Overview
NIT Rourkela is recruiting one Junior Research Fellow for a sponsored research project in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The post is meant for candidates who meet the JRF qualification norms and have interest or experience in membrane fabrication, characterization, synthesis and simulation tools.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute | National Institute of Technology Rourkela |
| Post | Junior Research Fellow |
| Advertisement No. | NITR/SR/2026/Advt.-25ME053/L/013 |
| Advertisement Date | 21 April 2026 |
| Department | Mechanical Engineering |
| Mode of Interview | Online |
| Application Last Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Job Location | NIT Rourkela, Odisha |
Important Dates
Candidates should submit the application before the last date and keep track of the interview schedule mentioned in the official advertisement. Shortlisted candidates will be informed for the online interview.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 21 April 2026 |
| Last Date for Application | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Interview | 28 May 2026 |
| Interview Time | 10:30 AM |
| Interview Venue/Department | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
Project Details
The JRF position is attached to a project on UV-assisted ceramic membrane filtration for recycling blowdown water from thermal power stations. Candidates with relevant knowledge in membrane systems, water treatment, simulation and experimental evaluation should read the project details carefully.
| Project Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Design and Development of UV-Assisted Self-Cleaning Filters Using Ceramic Membranes for Recycling Circulated Water Blowdown from Thermal Power Stations |
| Project Code | SR-25-ME-053 |
| Project Closing Date | 05 January 2028 |
| Funding Agency | NLC India Limited |
| Department | Mechanical Engineering |
| Principal Investigator | Prof. Bukke Kiran Naik |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Prof. Mahesh Kumar Shriwas |
Vacancy Details
The official advertisement lists one vacancy for the Junior Research Fellow post. The engagement is temporary and contractual, and it will end with the project or as per the terms of the project position.
| Post Name | No. of Posts | Tenure Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow | 1 | 1 year and 7 months |
Eligibility Criteria
The essential qualification follows the JRF eligibility route mentioned in the official notification. Candidates should satisfy the educational qualification and selection route through national eligibility tests or equivalent national-level examinations.
- Post Graduate degree in basic science, or Graduate/Post Graduate degree in a professional course.
- The candidate should have been selected through a process described through National Eligibility Tests such as CSIR-UGC NET including Lectureship or GATE.
- Selection through national eligibility examinations conducted by Central Government departments and their agencies or institutions such as DBT, DST, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER, NISER and similar bodies is also mentioned in the notification.
Mere possession of the minimum qualification does not guarantee an interview call. NIT Rourkela may shortlist candidates based on merit and the need of the project.
Desirable Skills and Working Knowledge
The desirable skills are closely linked to the project work. Candidates should highlight relevant academic projects, research work, laboratory work or software experience in the application.
- Good knowledge of membrane fabrication.
- Knowledge of membrane characterization and synthesis.
- Experience in using simulation software such as ANSYS Fluent or COMSOL.
- Basic modeling ability using tools such as MATLAB or Python can be useful for the project work.
- Experience related to water treatment, filtration, fouling study or ceramic membrane systems may help demonstrate project suitability.
Salary and Tenure
The official notification mentions the monthly fellowship for Year 1 and Year 2. HRA is shown as not applicable in the advertisement.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship for Year 1 and Year 2 | Rs. 37,000 per month |
| HRA | NA, as mentioned in the advertisement |
| Tenure | 1 year and 7 months |
| Nature of Position | Temporary, contractual and co-terminus with the project |
Age Limit and Relaxation
The advertisement lists the upper age limit and the applicable relaxations. The upper age limit will be reckoned as on the last date of receipt of applications.
| Category | Age Rule |
|---|---|
| Upper Age Limit | 28 years |
| SC/ST/PwD/Female Applicants | Relaxable up to 5 years |
| OBC Non-Creamy Layer | Relaxable up to 3 years |
| Reservation and Relaxation | Applicable as per Government of India rules |
Job Description
The selected JRF will work on the design, development and experimental evaluation of a UV-assisted ceramic membrane filtration system for recycling blowdown water from thermal power plants.
- Set up and evaluate a UV-assisted ceramic membrane filtration system.
- Work on UV integration for self-cleaning filtration.
- Conduct filtration and fouling studies.
- Perform water quality analysis and performance optimization.
- Handle data acquisition and basic modeling using MATLAB or Python.
- Prepare documentation, reports and project updates.
- Support laboratory maintenance and safe project execution.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit the completed and signed application in soft copy with supporting documents. The official advertisement says that no hard copy of the application is required to be sent to the institute.
- Download the official notification and read all eligibility details.
- Fill and sign the application form as required by NIT Rourkela.
- Attach documents related to educational qualification, percentage of marks or division, mark sheets and certificates.
- Attach research papers and work experience certificates, if applicable.
- Build the application and documents as a single PDF file.
- Send the PDF by email to the e-mail IDs mentioned for the PI and Co-PI in the notification.
- Mention the advertisement number in the email subject line.
- Submit the application before 20 May 2026.
Selection Process
The selection process will involve shortlisting followed by online interview. The notification clearly states that only shortlisted candidates will be informed for the online interview.
- Applications will be screened based on advertised qualifications, merit and project requirement.
- NIT Rourkela reserves the right to fix higher shortlisting criteria if required.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be informed for the online interview.
- Selection or joining can be cancelled if any information or submitted document is found suppressed or incorrect.
Official Links
Candidates should verify the details from the official NIT Rourkela sources before applying. The official advertisement PDF contains the final eligibility, date, salary and application instructions.
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Detailed advertisement, eligibility, salary, application process and interview schedule |
| NIT Rourkela Project Fellowship Page | Official SRICCE career and project fellowship notices |
| NIT Rourkela Official Website | Main institute website |
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
The last date to submit the application is 20 May 2026.
There is 1 vacancy for the Junior Research Fellow post.
The fellowship is Rs. 37,000 per month for Year 1 and Year 2.
The online interview is scheduled for 28 May 2026 at 10:30 AM.
The upper age limit is 28 years, with relaxation for SC/ST/PwD/Female and OBC non-creamy layer candidates as per rules.
Candidates need a postgraduate degree in basic science or a graduate/postgraduate degree in a professional course through valid national eligibility tests or equivalent national-level examinations.
No. The post is temporary, contractual and co-terminus with the sponsored project.
The project is on UV-assisted self-cleaning ceramic membrane filters for recycling circulated water blowdown from thermal power stations.