IISER Kolkata RA Agri-Water Recruitment 2026

IISER Kolkata RA Agri-Water Recruitment 2026: Overview

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IISER Kolkata) is recruiting a Research Associate-I for a Department of Science and Technology project run through the Centre for Climate and Environmental Studies. The project, titled Co-creating Sustainable Agri-Water Use in the Hindon sub-basin – A Multi Scale Participatory Approach, connects environmental chemistry with practical questions about how agricultural communities use and manage water.

The role sits in the Department of Earth Sciences under Prof. Prasanta Sanyal. Its technical focus is the preparation and analysis of water samples for nitrate-isotope work, so the project is best suited to a researcher already comfortable with stable-isotope geochemistry. Experience with isotope-ratio mass spectrometry is especially useful because the work involves stable isotopes in water and nitrate using a Gas Bench-IRMS setup.

This is a focused research appointment rather than a general laboratory post. You will be working with environmental samples and isotope evidence that can help the wider team understand water sources, nutrient movement and agricultural water-use patterns across the Hindon sub-basin. The project title also signals a participatory approach, so the scientific findings support a broader programme that brings together field conditions, multiple geographic scales and sustainable water-use decisions.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Temporary appointment: the position initially runs for eight months or until the project ends, whichever comes first. Continuation is tied to satisfactory performance and the remaining project period.
• Shortlisting: only shortlisted applicants will receive an email about the interview. Keep the email address in your CV active and check it regularly.
• Interview venue: the interview will be held at IISER Kolkata, with the date communicated later to shortlisted applicants.
• Travel: the institute will not reimburse TA or DA for attending the interview.
• Research evidence: your doctoral specialisation, indexed publication and practical instrument experience are central to the fit for this role.

The appointment is tenable only for the sponsored project, so it should be viewed as a time-bound research opportunity. If you are building a profile in environmental isotope analysis, the position offers direct work with water and nitrate samples in a climate-and-environment research setting.

Application Submission Notes

Send your application with your CV to psanyal@iiserkol.ac.in. There is no separate application portal, so use a clear email subject that names the Research Associate-I position and keep a copy of the message and attachments you send.

If shortlisted, take your resume plus the required originals and self-attested copies to IISER Kolkata. For questions about the position or the project, the notice directs you to the same email address.

Corrigenda and Notices

• Current project-positions listing: the live IISER Kolkata page shows a later closing month than the date printed in the PDF. The structured deadline here follows the current official listing page; check that page again before emailing.

• Prepare water samples for stable-isotope analysis
• Analyse nitrate isotopes using suitable laboratory methods
• Operate Gas Bench-IRMS equipment for water and nitrate studies
• Check sample quality and maintain accurate analytical records
• Interpret isotope results for the Hindon sub-basin research project
• Prepare research notes, datasets and findings for project reporting
• Follow laboratory safety and sample-handling procedures