BHU Project Associate-I Botany ANRF Recruitment 2026

BHU Project Associate-I Botany Recruitment 2026: Overview

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is hiring a Project Associate-I (PA-I) for a research project in the Department of Botany, Institute of Science. The project is funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India. You will work under Dr. Deepak Kumar, Associate Professor, in the Plant Engineering and Stress Adaptomics (PESA) Lab. This is a project-based, contractual position and not a permanent university job. It suits a life-science postgraduate who wants to build research experience in plant genomics and heat-stress biology.

The project is titled "Investigating the potential of Prion-Like LEUNIG Proteins in augmenting Thermosensory Responses in Indian Mustard". Put simply, the team is studying how prion-like LEUNIG proteins help Indian mustard sense rising temperature and adapt to heat. As summers get hotter, this kind of work matters for keeping mustard yields steady, and you would get daily hands-on time with modern plant molecular tools.

The work relies on genomics and transcriptomics, with a focus on temperature perception, protein interactions and high-temperature adaptation. The ANRF file number is ANRF/IRG/2025/001684/LS and the BHU project code is P-07/1375.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: The appointment is purely temporary and on contract. You are first appointed for one year, which can be extended up to the project's total length of three years if your work is satisfactory.
• Notice period: Either you or the Principal Investigator can end the engagement by giving one month's written notice.
• Shortlisting: Meeting the qualifications does not guarantee an interview call. Candidates are shortlisted on merit and the needs of the project.
• Interview: Shortlisted candidates get the interview schedule by email and must attend in person at BHU. An online interview may be allowed only with a proper reason.
• No travel allowance: No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview.
• Authenticity: You are fully responsible for the accuracy of the information, documents and photographs you submit.
• University's right: BHU can accept or reject any application at any time during the project.

Application Submission Notes

Apply online through the PESA Lab application portal at plantadaptomicslab.com (the notice also carries a QR code). If you are on a mobile phone, switch to desktop view for a smoother form. Upload all the listed documents, because applications with missing documents may be rejected.

Give a working email address and mobile number, since the interview call comes only by email. For questions, write to pesa.lab.bhu@gmail.com or deepakkumar@bhu.ac.in.

• Assist the Principal Investigator in designing experiments on LEUNIG proteins and heat response in Indian mustard
• Carry out routine laboratory work and molecular biology experiments
• Perform plant transformation and handle genomics and transcriptomics samples
• Analyse experimental and sequencing data and summarise the results
• Maintain laboratory records, sample logs and project documentation
• Help prepare progress reports for the ANRF project