IIT ISM JRF Chemistry Recruitment 2026

IIT ISM JRF Chemistry Recruitment 2026: Overview

Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad (IIT ISM Dhanbad) is hiring a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) for a sponsored research project in its Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The project is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under its Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) programme. Its aim is to set up nodal centres that can make imported APIs, key starting materials (KSMs) and intermediates inside India — so the health-care sector depends less on imported drug ingredients.

The work is hands-on organic synthesis. You will make active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), drug molecules and KSMs in the lab under the Principal Investigator, Prof. Parthasarathi Das. This is a project-based contract position, not a regular institute post, so it suits a fresh M.Sc Chemistry graduate who wants solid research experience on a project with a clear industrial purpose. If you already have some exposure to process chemistry, you will find the work familiar.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: The project runs for two years, and the position lasts only as long as the project does.
• JRF or Project Associate-I: If you have not cleared NET, GATE or a similar national-level test run by bodies such as DST, DBT, DAE, DRDO, ICMR, IIT, IISc or IISER, you can still be selected, but you will be designated Project Associate-I, with pay fixed under DST rules instead of the JRF fellowship.
• Shortlisting: Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee an interview call. Candidates are shortlisted on merit and the needs of the project.
• Interview mode: The interview may be held online or offline. Shortlisted candidates are told the date directly.
• Travel costs: No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview.

Application Submission Notes

There is no online form for this post. Email your detailed CV and copies of all your degree certificates to Prof. Parthasarathi Das at partha@iitism.ac.in.

The notice sets a 6:00 PM cut-off on the last day, so do not leave it to the final hour. Since shortlisting is merit-based, make sure your CV clearly shows your M.Sc marks or CGPA, any NET/GATE result and any lab synthesis work you have done.

• Synthesise active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for the DST-TDT project
• Prepare drug molecules and key starting materials (KSMs) in the lab
• Work on synthesis routes for intermediates that India currently imports
• Keep clear lab records of reactions, yields and results
• Assist the Principal Investigator with project progress reports