ARI Project Associate I Recruitment 2026

Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune is hiring 1 Project Associate I for a research project on fungal biocontrol agents in the Biodiversity and Palaeobiology (Fungi) Group. If you have a Master's Degree in Agricultural Science or Life Sciences, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 20 July 2026. Age limit is up to 35 years. The monthly stipend is Rs. 20,000 plus HRA.

MACS - Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) Project Associate I Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, known for research in biological, agricultural and geological sciences. ARI has released a notification for 1 Project Associate I post under a Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC) funded project titled "Exploring fungal symbiont metabolites as biocontrol agents against muscardine disease in mulberry silkworms (Bombyx mori) in Maharashtra". This project runs under Post Code RGSTC-07-2026-27-PA, with the overall project period extending for several years. Selection is through an online interview - no written exam is involved. This role suits Master's degree holders in Life Sciences or Agricultural Sciences who are interested in fungal research, biocontrol studies, and applied agricultural science with real-world impact on silk farming in Maharashtra.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: Master's Degree in Agricultural Science / Life Sciences from a recognized college/university.
• Desirable: First Class M.Sc in Agricultural Sciences / Life Sciences, with experience in fungal culturing, lab handling, and silkworm rearing units.

Even if you do not have prior experience in fungal culturing or silkworm rearing, you can still apply as long as you meet the essential Master's degree requirement - the desirable criteria only give an added advantage during shortlisting.

Age Limit

• You should be up to 35 years old as on the closing date of the advertisement (20 July 2026).
• Age Relaxation: OBC, SC, ST and other reserved categories get relaxation as per Government of India rules.

Salary

• Selected candidates will get a monthly stipend of Rs. 20,000 plus HRA.
• The stipend is funded through the RGSTC-SP-388 project grant and is paid monthly for the duration of your engagement on the project.

Application Fee

• General / Other Categories: Rs. 100 (non-refundable, paid online).
• SC / ST / Divyang (PwD) / Women: No fee.
• Payment mode: Online through SBI Collect (onlinesbi.sbi/sbicollect).

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

The selection will be done in 2 stages:

1. Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted based on eligibility criteria. Shortlisted candidates are informed by email or through a list displayed on the Institute website.
2. Online Interview: Held on 27 July 2026 at 10:30 AM onwards. No TA/DA is admissible for the interview, and selected candidates have no right to claim appointment against any other ARI or funding agency post.

How to Apply

1. Go to the online application portal at arijob.ourlib.in.
2. Fill in the online application form with your details.
3. Attach self-attested scanned certificates and a recent passport-size photograph.
4. Attach your caste certificate if you belong to a reserved category.
5. Pay the Rs. 100 application fee online via SBI Collect (not applicable for SC/ST/Divyang/Women candidates) and note the receipt number in your form.
6. Submit your application on or before 20 July 2026.
7. Keep checking your email and the ARI website for shortlisting updates after the deadline.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 7 July 2026
• Online Application Start: 9 July 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 20 July 2026
• Interview Date: 27 July 2026 (Online)

• Handle fungal culturing and laboratory work related to muscardine disease research
• Conduct and monitor silkworm rearing for the experimental units
• Assist in isolating and characterizing fungal symbionts and their metabolites
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and experiment data
• Prepare samples for biochemical and microbiological analysis
• Support the project team with fieldwork and data collection
• Help prepare reports and documentation for the RGSTC-funded project