NISER SPS Postdoctoral Fellow and RA Recruitment 2026

NISER SPS Postdoctoral Fellow and RA Recruitment 2026: Overview

National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, an autonomous institute under the Department of Atomic Energy, is building two research groups in its School of Physical Sciences. The engagement is temporary and suited to early-career researchers who want focused work in computational materials physics or cosmology. Your application is tied to a named faculty member and research area, so the research-interest statement matters as much as the academic record.

The notice treats Post-Doctoral Fellow and Research Associate grades as one recruitment route. The grade offered depends on whether you have completed the Ph.D. defence and how much relevant work you bring after the doctorate. This gives recently defended scholars and researchers with post-Ph.D. experience a place in the same selection exercise without turning the notice into separate applications.

Posts and Disciplines

• Computational materials physics: work with Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee on lighter elements in low dimensions, semiconducting and magnetic systems, topological or catalytic materials, energy-storage behaviour and realistic computational proposals for new materials.
• Cosmology and astrophysics: work with Dr. Tuhin Ghosh on large-scale structure and galaxy formation, with the research statement showing how your earlier training connects to the group.
• PDF and RA grades: the institute can place a selected researcher at PDF/RA-I, RA-II or RA-III level according to the qualification and relevant experience documented in the application.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: these are purely temporary research positions ending on 31 March 2027; the notice does not promise continuation beyond that period.
• Housing: institute accommodation is not guaranteed. The applicable housing benefit is considered only when official accommodation is not provided.
• Research support: a contingency grant may be available under institute rules, so spending and approval will follow the conditions set by NISER.
• Shortlisting: only shortlisted applicants will join an interview or seminar presentation, which may be held online or offline.
• Travel: no TA or DA is paid for attending the interview, presenting the seminar or joining after selection.
• Completeness: an unsigned form, missing supporting material or a late email is not considered.

Application Submission Notes

Send the prescribed signed form and all supporting files by email to cpsps@niser.ac.in; the notice does not accept another application mode. Add a covering letter with your research interest, a detailed academic CV with publications, and the names of two academic referees. Your referees should send their recommendation letters directly to the same email address.

Choose the faculty member and research area carefully on the form. A clear connection between your earlier work and the chosen lab will help the screening team understand your fit, while certificates must support every qualification and experience claim.

• Plan research tasks with the assigned faculty member
• Run computational or theoretical studies in the selected physics area
• Analyse results and keep clear research records
• Prepare manuscripts, presentations and progress reports
• Discuss findings in group meetings and research seminars
• Manage approved contingency spending under institute rules