CSIR-NIO Project Associate-I Microbiology 2026

CSIR-NIO Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026: Overview

CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, is filling Project Associate-I positions at its Regional Centre in Mumbai. The work is marine microbiology: you will help study the microbes living in India's coastal waters by collecting samples at sea and testing them in the lab.

This is a short project engagement, not a regular post — the position is meant to be filled for six months only. It suits a fresh postgraduate in Microbiology or Biotechnology who wants hands-on field and lab experience at a national ocean-research institute before moving on to a PhD or a longer research role.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: The vacancy page states the position is to be filled for a period of six months. It does not mention any extension.
• Place of work: You will be based at the CSIR-NIO Regional Centre, Mumbai, not at the Goa headquarters.
• Fieldwork at sea: You must be ready to go out on boats, trawlers and research cruises along the coast to collect samples.
• Project details: The vacancy page does not name the project title or project code for this position.
• Edge for experienced candidates: One year of research experience at a national laboratory, with exposure to metagenomics and statistical data analysis, is listed as desirable, so such applicants may be preferred.

Application Submission Notes

Apply through the Apply link shown on the CSIR-NIO vacancy page for this position. Quote the vacancy number SSP003702/3340-26 so your application reaches the right project, because CSIR-NIO lists several Project Associate-I openings at the same time.

• Collect water and sediment samples from coastal areas using boats, trawlers and research cruises
• Process the collected samples in the laboratory
• Analyse samples for microbiological parameters
• Analyse the resulting data, including statistical analysis
• Write reports on the field and lab findings