IITM Research Associate-I Recruitment 2026

IIT Madras is hiring 1 Research Associate-I in the Department of Ocean Engineering. If you have a Ph.D. in Ocean Engineering, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Robotics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Control Systems, or a related discipline, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 5 July 2026. The salary is Rs. 58,000 per month plus HRA for a project role that is initially for 1 year.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras Research Associate-I Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), through the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, has issued Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt. 111/2026 dated 15 June 2026. The post is a temporary Research Associate-I role under Prof. Abhilash Somayajula in the Department of Ocean Engineering. The role is focused on AI-enabled marine robotics research, including reinforcement learning, system identification, simulation, and autonomous vehicle field trials.

The appointment is initially for 1 year and may be extended based on performance. It is a contract project role and does not create any right to permanent appointment at IIT Madras. Candidates who have submitted their thesis and are waiting for award may also apply if the discipline and research area match the notice.

Who Can Apply?

Educational Qualification

• Required qualification: You need a Ph.D. in Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Control Systems, or related disciplines.
• Thesis-submitted candidates: You can apply if you have submitted your thesis and are waiting for award.
• Research fit: The notice looks for demonstrated research experience in reinforcement learning, robotics and autonomous systems, system identification, control theory, marine robotics, machine learning, or AI.
• Nationality: Indian citizens can apply. Other eligible categories mentioned in the notice must meet Government of India certificate requirements.

Research Areas

• Reinforcement learning: Information-rich trajectory generation and learning-based control.
• System identification: Bayesian system identification and uncertainty quantification.
• Simulation: Development of high-fidelity simulation environments.
• Field trials: Planning and execution of trials using autonomous underwater vehicles.
• Research outputs: Publications, technical reports, and open-source software tools.

Salary

• Monthly pay: Rs. 58,000 per month.
• Allowance: HRA is payable as mentioned in the notice.
• Duration: Initially 1 year, extendable based on performance.
• The notice does not mention grade pay, DA, medical allowance, or a fixed total after HRA.

Selection Process

The selection process will be handled by IIT Madras after online applications are submitted. The institute may restrict the number of candidates using qualification level, relevant experience, academic achievements, and the fit of the applicant's research profile.

1. Online application: Apply through the IIT Madras ICSR staff careers portal for Advt.111/2026.
2. Shortlisting: IIT Madras will shortlist candidates based on the information given in the online form.
3. Test or interview: Shortlisted candidates may be called for written test, skill test, interview, or another screening mode decided by the institute.
4. Document verification: Bring the application printout, thesis or Ph.D. proof, research records, and other certificates when called.
5. Final selection: Final selection will depend on the institute's assessment and project requirement.

The advertisement does not give a written exam syllabus, question count, marks, time limit, or negative marking. The practical focus should be on research discussion, technical depth, publications, coding or simulation work, and marine robotics experience.

How to Apply

1. Go to the IIT Madras ICSR careers portal at icsrstaff.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php.
2. Find advertisement number Advt.111/2026.
3. Register or log in and select the Research Associate-I application.
4. Fill in your Ph.D. or thesis-submission details, research experience, publications, and contact information.
5. Submit the online application before 5 July 2026.
6. Take a printout of the submitted form and keep it ready for test, interview, and document verification.

You do not need to send a hard copy to the institute. For technical issues in the online form, the notice lists icsrrecruitment6@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in, icsrrecruitment@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in, and phone 044-2257 8843 during working hours.

Documents and Application Notes

• Application printout: Keep the submitted online application printout for test, interview, and document verification.
• Ph.D. or thesis proof: Keep your Ph.D. certificate, thesis-submission proof, mark sheets, and research records ready.
• Research proof: Keep publication details, technical reports, code or software links, simulation work, and field-trial records if available.
• NOC: If you are working in any project at IIT Madras, the notice asks you to apply through proper channel or produce a No Objection Certificate.

IIT Madras will contact only shortlisted applicants, and the institute may decide the screening mode based on the number and quality of applications. Keep your email active because the notice says official communication will be made through email.

The closing date is the crucial date for eligibility. Your Ph.D. status, thesis submission, research experience, and other claims should be accurate because incorrect information can lead to rejection or cancellation later.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 15 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 5 July 2026
• Test / Interview Date: To be announced
• Admit Card / Call Letter: To be announced

• Lead reinforcement learning research for information-rich trajectory generation
• Develop Bayesian system identification and uncertainty quantification methods
• Build high-fidelity simulation environments for autonomous systems
• Support sim-to-real transfer of learning-based control algorithms
• Supervise project personnel and students on technical research tasks
• Prepare publications, technical reports and open-source software tools
• Plan and execute field trials using autonomous underwater vehicles