IIT Palakkad Research Associate Recruitment 2026

IIT Palakkad is hiring 1 Research Associate in Mechanical Engineering for an ANRF-funded project. If you have a PhD in relevant areas and understand granular mechanics or CFD-DEM simulation, you can apply by email. The last date to apply is 28 June 2026. Salary is Rs. 61,000 per month plus hostel or HRA support as per rules.

Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad Research Associate Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad (IIT Palakkad) has released recruitment notification Ref. IITPKD/2026/023/ME/SLD dated 12 June 2026. The post is for a Research Associate in the Mechanical Engineering area under a project funded by ANRF. The appointment is for 1 year and may be extended twice by one year each based on satisfactory performance.

The project areas are granular mechanics and simulation of particulate systems using CFD-DEM. This role is suitable for a researcher who can work with flow of granular materials, fluid dynamics, discrete element simulations, and related numerical tools. The candidate is expected to join immediately after receiving the offer letter, so you should apply only if you can move quickly after selection.

The notification points to a highly specialised research area, not a general administrative opening. You should read the skills carefully because the project expects comfort with particulate systems, granular flow behaviour, numerical simulation, and willingness to learn new modelling concepts. If your PhD work involved mechanical engineering simulations, granular materials, fluid flow, DEM, or coupled physics models, this post may match your profile.

Who Can Apply?

Educational Qualification

• Minimum qualification: You need a PhD in relevant areas.
• Project fit: Your research background should connect with granular mechanics, particulate systems, or mechanical engineering simulation.
• Required understanding: You should have a good understanding of flow of granular materials and fluid dynamics.

Required Skills

• Simulation tools: Familiarity with discrete element simulations for granular flows using LAMMPS or YADE is required.
• Desired skill: Knowledge of fluid flow simulations in OpenFOAM and coupling with DEM is desired but not compulsory.
• Learning requirement: You should be willing to learn OpenFOAM-DEM coupling and concepts such as kinetic theory for granular flows.
• Documents: You must send your resume and educational certificates from Class X onward in a single PDF.

Project Skill Match

• Granular mechanics: You should be comfortable with how granular materials flow, interact, and respond in particulate systems.
• Fluid dynamics: The project expects understanding of fluid flow behaviour and its link with particle motion.
• DEM tools: Experience or familiarity with LAMMPS or YADE is specifically named in the notification.
• OpenFOAM exposure: OpenFOAM and DEM coupling knowledge is helpful, but the notification says it is desired and not mandatory.
• Learning attitude: You must be ready to learn concepts such as kinetic theory for granular flows during the project.

Age Limit

• Preferred upper age limit is 35 years as on the closing date of application.
• Age reference date: The closing date is 28 June 2026.
• Age relaxation: Relaxation is available for OBC, SC, ST, PWD categories and women applicants as per Government of India norms.

Salary

• Monthly salary: Rs. 61,000.
• Accommodation: Hostel accommodation may be provided at the institute based on availability on a chargeable basis.
• HRA: If institute hostel is not available, admissible HRA will be provided as per Government of India rules.
• Tenure link: The salary applies to the project appointment, which is initially for 1 year and may continue only if performance is satisfactory and extension is approved.

Selection Process

The notification does not publish a separate written exam pattern for IIT Palakkad Research Associate. It asks candidates who meet the criteria to send the required documents by email, after which IIT Palakkad can screen applications for the project post.

1. Email Application: Send the resume and qualification certificates in one PDF before the deadline.
2. Application Screening: IIT Palakkad may check PhD qualification, research area, simulation skills, and project fit.
3. Further Communication: Suitable candidates should watch their email for any next step or joining-related update from the institute.
4. Document Check: Keep original certificates ready for verification if the institute asks for them.

How to Apply

1. Prepare your updated resume.
2. Collect certificates for educational qualifications starting from Class X.
3. Combine the resume and certificates into one PDF file.
4. Email the PDF to sovan@iitpkd.ac.in before 28 June 2026.
5. Use the exact email subject: Application for Research Associate IITPKD/2026/023/ME/SLD.
6. Keep your original documents ready because IIT Palakkad may ask for them during later checks.

Application Notes

• Application mode: Email application only, as mentioned in the notification.
• Work location: IIT Palakkad, Kanjikode West, Palakkad, Kerala.
• Contact office: The notification lists icsr@iitpkd.ac.in for the ICSR office.
• Joining: The selected candidate is expected to join immediately after receiving the offer letter.

Email Checklist

• One PDF: The notification asks for resume and certificates in a single PDF file.
• Certificate range: Include education certificates starting from Class X.
• Correct subject: Use the exact subject line so the application is easy to identify.
• Deadline: Send the email before 28 June 2026, not after the closing date.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 12 June 2026
• Application Start: 12 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 28 June 2026
• Joining: Immediately after receiving the offer letter

• Carry out research work in granular mechanics and particulate system simulation
• Run discrete element simulations for granular flows using LAMMPS or YADE
• Work with fluid dynamics concepts and learn OpenFOAM-based flow simulations when needed
• Study CFD-DEM coupling and apply kinetic theory concepts for granular flows
• Prepare research notes, simulation outputs, and progress updates for project review
• Maintain organised records of models, input files, results, and technical observations
• Assist the project team with analysis, reporting, and preparation of research material