CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Organic Chemistry 2026

CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026: Overview

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, is filling Project Associate-I (PA-I) positions in its Organic Chemistry Division under advertisement 2026/CSIR-NCL/ORG/MLP002629-35/879. The positions sit under lab-sponsored projects led by Dr. Mahesh D. Patil, and this is a project engagement on a purely temporary basis, not a regular CSIR post.

The work covers two linked research themes funded by CSIR-NCL itself. The first explores enzymatic routes for C-H hydroxylation to biomanufacture amino acid derivatives. The second involves synthesising three different classes of analogues around a lead compound coded S-024-0765. So the job mixes biocatalysis ideas with classic bench-level medicinal chemistry.

If you have a postgraduate degree in organic, medicinal or general chemistry, or an M.Pharm in medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry, and you like hands-on synthesis, this is a good way to get research experience at one of India's best-known chemistry labs. Candidates who already have multistep synthesis and characterisation experience will stand out, and those who have cleared NET, GATE or a similar national-level exam get the higher pay slab.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: The engagement lasts only as long as the sponsored project, and continues only if your performance and conduct are satisfactory.
• No claim on CSIR posts: This is not a CSIR or NCL appointment of any kind and gives you no right to be considered for any CSIR-NCL post or fellowship.
• Pay slab depends on exams cleared: The higher consolidated amount is only for candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET (including lectureship), GATE or a national-level exam run by departments such as DBT or DST.
• Shortlisting: The minimum qualification alone does not guarantee an interview. A screening committee may limit calls based on qualifications and experience above the minimum, so list all your qualifications and relevant experience in the form.
• Online interview: Shortlisted candidates get the interview link by email; no separate call letter is sent and no TA/DA is paid.
• Immediate joining: Selected candidates must join right away after receiving the offer.

Application Submission Notes

Applications are accepted online only through the CSIR-NCL project jobs portal (jobs.ncl.res.in); register there with a valid email ID first, and read the portal's How to Apply guide before filling in the form. Late applications are not considered.

The shortlist will be put up on the website and the divisional notice board. For shortlist queries, contact Dr. Ravindar Kontham at k.ravindar.ncl@csir.res.in or 020-25902301.

• Plan and scout synthetic routes for diverse chemical transformations
• Carry out multistep organic synthesis from small to large scale
• Synthesise analogue series around the project's lead compound
• Isolate and purify reaction products
• Confirm structures using NMR, mass spectrometry, HPLC and other analytical data
• Support enzymatic C-H hydroxylation work for amino acid derivatives
• Keep lab records and share results with the project leader