IIT Madras JRF Recruitment 2026

IIT Madras is hiring 1 Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Chemistry through Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt.97/2026. If you have First Class MSc Chemistry or a B.E./B.Tech degree in Chemical Engineering, Energy or a related discipline with a valid GATE score, you can apply online. The pay is Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA. The last date to apply is 12 June 2026.

IIT Madras JRF Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), through the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, has released this temporary JRF opening for a research project in electrolyzer design and carbon dioxide reduction. The selected JRF will work with Prof. R. Kothandaraman in the Department of Chemistry.

The appointment is initially for 1 year and can be extended later based on performance. The project work includes design, development, scaling up and testing of an electrolyzer for converting carbon dioxide to formate. This is a strong fit for candidates interested in electrochemistry, clean energy research, carbon dioxide reduction and gas diffusion electrode systems.

Project focus: The JRF will support lab and research work around electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide. The notice names exposure to electrochemistry, carbon dioxide reduction in gas diffusion electrodes and related areas as useful. So your application should clearly show any coursework, project, thesis, lab work or research experience connected with chemistry, chemical engineering, energy systems or electrochemical devices.

Application care: IIT Madras asks candidates to apply online only through the IC&SR careers portal. After submitting the form, keep a printout ready for test, interview or document verification. The notification also says the form cannot be edited after submission, so check your qualification, GATE score details, email ID and uploaded information before final submission.

Who Can Apply?

Essential Qualification

• MSc route: You can apply with First Class MSc Chemistry.
• Engineering route: You can apply with a B.E./B.Tech degree in Chemical Engineering, Energy or a related discipline.
• GATE score: The engineering route requires a valid GATE score, as stated in the notification.

Research Exposure That Helps

• Electrochemistry: Exposure to electrochemistry will be an added advantage.
• Carbon dioxide reduction: Prior work or study in CO2 reduction is directly relevant to the project.
• Gas diffusion electrodes: Experience with gas diffusion electrode work will help in the electrolyzer project.
• Project fit: The role suits candidates who can handle lab work, testing, documentation and research coordination.

Salary

• JRF pay is Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA.
• The post is temporary and initially for 1 year.
• Extension can be considered later based on performance.

Who should apply: This is a good fit for candidates who can connect chemistry or chemical engineering knowledge with energy research. If your MSc, B.E. or B.Tech work included electrochemical cells, catalysis, electrolyzers, carbon dioxide conversion, gas diffusion electrodes, materials testing or related lab methods, mention those details clearly in the online form.

Portal care: The notification says a single application is accepted with the registered login ID for an advertisement and that the application cannot be edited once submitted. Use a working email ID, select the correct advertisement number and check every entry before final submission. If you are already working on an IIT Madras project, keep the proper-channel or NOC requirement in mind for document verification.

Coordinator details: The project coordinator named in the notification is Prof. R. Kothandaraman, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras. Keep this project context in mind while preparing your application statement.

Selection Process

IIT Madras will shortlist applicants based on the details submitted in the online application. The notification mentions that the institute may restrict the number of people called for test or interview based on qualification, experience level and relevance.

1. Online application screening: IIT Madras will check qualification, GATE score where applicable, project fit and submitted information.
2. Test/Interview: Shortlisted applicants may be called for a test, interview or both, as decided by the institute.
3. Document verification: You should keep educational certificates, application printout and other supporting documents ready for verification.
4. Final selection: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted, and no separate correspondence is promised for people who are not shortlisted.

How to Apply

1. Go to the IIT Madras IC&SR recruitment portal at icsrstaff.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php.
2. Find Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt.97/2026 for Junior Research Fellow.
3. Use the Apply Now option on the portal and fill in the online application.
4. Enter correct qualification, GATE and contact details because later communication will be through email.
5. Submit the application before 12 June 2026.
6. After successful online submission, take a printout of the application and keep it ready for test, interview or document verification.
7. Do not send a hard copy to IIT Madras unless the institute asks for it later.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 29 May 2026
• Application Start: 29 May 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 12 June 2026
• Test/Interview Date: To be announced to shortlisted applicants

• Work on design and development of an electrolyzer for carbon dioxide reduction
• Test electrochemical systems for conversion of carbon dioxide to formate
• Support scaling up, lab trials and performance checks under the project coordinator
• Prepare research notes, experiment records, reports and presentations
• Coordinate with the Department of Chemistry project team for daily research tasks
• Follow IIT Madras lab safety, documentation and project reporting rules
• Assist with data analysis and literature review related to electrochemistry and gas diffusion electrodes