CSIR-NCL Project Associate-II Vanillin Project 2026

CSIR-NCL Project Associate-II Recruitment 2026: Overview

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, wants two Project Associate-II researchers for its Chemical Engineering and Process Development (CEPD) Division. The posts sit under an ANRF-funded project called Precision Re-engineering of Intermediary Metabolism of Vanillin for Increased Productivity (project code GAP003483). In plain words, the team is rebuilding microbes so they make more vanillin, the compound behind vanilla flavour, at a higher yield.

This is a temporary project engagement, not a regular CSIR job. It suits you if you already work in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology or microbial biotechnology and want hands-on time at one of India's best-known chemistry labs.

Note: the NCL portal lists the notice as "Project Assistant II", but the notice itself names the post Project Associate-II. Apply against advertisement 2026/CSIR-NCL/CEPD/GAP003483/896 so your form reaches the right project.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Two eligibility routes: A science master's (natural, agricultural or pharmaceutical sciences, MVSc or animal sciences) or a B.E./B.Tech/medicine degree counts only with two years of R&D experience. A master's in engineering or technology qualifies on its own.
• Two pay rates: Your monthly rate depends on whether you have cleared a national test such as CSIR-UGC, ICAR or ICMR NET (including lectureship or assistant professorship), GATE, or a national exam run by central departments such as DBT or DST.
• Tenure: The engagement lasts only as long as the sponsored project, and it continues only with satisfactory performance and conduct.
• No claim to a CSIR post: This is not a CSIR/NCL appointment and gives you no right to be considered for any CSIR-NCL post or fellowship later.
• Shortlisting: Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee an interview. A Screening Committee may call only the strongest profiles, so list every bit of CRISPR, cloning, strain-engineering and HPLC experience in your form.
• Online interview: Shortlisted candidates get the meeting link by email; no separate call letter is sent.
• Joining and travel: The selected candidates must join immediately after the offer, and no TA/DA is paid for the interview.

Application Submission Notes

CSIR-NCL takes applications only online through its project jobs portal. Register on the portal with a valid email address and read its How to Apply guidelines before you fill the form. Keep your photo, signature, mark sheets and testimonials scanned and ready. Late applications are not considered.

For shortlisting updates, you can also contact the project leader, Anu Raghunathan, at anu.raghunathan@ncl.res.in.

• Design, build and validate microbial strains and expression vectors for vanillin production
• Apply genetic engineering and CRISPR/Cas genome editing to redirect metabolic flux towards vanillin
• Screen strains and run microbial cultivation experiments to improve vanillin titre, yield and productivity
• Measure growth, substrate use, vanillin and pathway intermediates with HPLC and other analytical methods
• Find and fix bottlenecks in the biosynthetic pathway and check the stability of engineered strains
• Keep experiment records, strain inventories and standard operating procedures up to date
• Prepare progress reports and scientific manuscripts towards project milestones