DRDO JRF Smart Materials Recruitment 2026

DRDO JRF Smart Materials Recruitment 2026: Overview

DRDO Young Scientists' Laboratory for Smart Materials (DYSL-SM) is selecting a Junior Research Fellow in Mechanical Engineering at its Kanchanbagh laboratory in Hyderabad. The fellowship supports a project on smart-material-based robotic applications, including shape-memory alloys and piezoelectric materials. This is hands-on defence research rather than a general mechanical design role, so it fits candidates interested in materials, robotics and experimental development.

DYSL-SM works on accelerated material development, micro-robotics and stealth technologies for national defence. In this fellowship, you would join an early-career research environment where mechanical design connects with smart materials, modelling, prototyping and instrumentation. A strong academic base matters, while practical exposure to engineering software and fabrication tools can help your application stand out.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: the fellowship is temporary and begins with a two-year term; later movement to the Senior Research Fellow grade follows DRDO guidelines.
• Project character: this is a research fellowship and does not create a right to regular absorption in DRDO.
• Screening: DYSL-SM will assess the valid GATE score, degree marks, desirable technical exposure and any relevant work experience before the interview.
• Panel: the interview may produce a panel valid for one year, but being placed on the panel does not guarantee a fellowship offer.
• Prior fellowship: someone who has already held a JRF award in a DRDO laboratory or centre cannot apply for another DRDO JRF through this notice.
• Course completion: only applicants who have completed the course and received the degree or provisional certificate can take part.
• Further study: the fellow may seek approval from the laboratory director to register for a part-time PhD during the fellowship.
• Travel support: DRDO will not pay TA or DA for attending the interview or joining after selection.
• Organisation discretion: DYSL-SM can change, reduce, increase or cancel the fellowship according to requirements and Government of India policy.

Application Submission Notes

Email the completed prescribed form and supporting material as a single PDF below 10 MB to hrd.dysl-sm@gov.in. You must also attend the walk-in at DYSL-SM, AMTL Campus near DMRL, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad 500058 and report by 09:30; late arrivals will not be admitted.

Bring your original certificates for checking and hand over the prescribed form with a recent photograph and one self-attested copy set. If you work for a government body, public sector undertaking or autonomous organisation, carry the required employer clearance.

• Develop smart-material concepts for robotic and mechanical applications
• Model mechanical behaviour using suitable finite element and CAD tools
• Build and test prototypes using shape-memory alloy or piezoelectric materials
• Operate basic electronics, instrumentation and fabrication equipment safely
• Record experimental observations and analyse engineering test results
• Prepare technical notes, project updates and research presentations