ARI Scientist-C Plant Breeding and Dev Biology 2026

ARI Scientist-C Recruitment 2026: Overview

MACS-Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is hiring Scientist-C faculty for two of its six research groups: Genetics and Plant Breeding and Developmental Biology. Both are permanent direct-recruitment posts based on the ARI campus in Pune. Government and autonomous-institute scientists can apply alongside outside candidates, so this suits you if you already have a few years of published research after your M.Sc and want a regular scientist position.

ARI's work spans biodiversity and palaeobiology, bioenergy, bioprospecting, developmental biology, genetics and plant breeding, and nanobioscience. The two openings sit at opposite ends of that range: one is crop-field research, the other is lab-based cell biology.

Posts and Disciplines

• Scientist-C, Genetics and Plant Breeding Group (post code Genetics & Plant Breeding/Scientist-C/2026): for agriculture graduates with a plant-breeding background. A PhD in plant breeding or crop improvement, genomics-assisted breeding and field phenotyping experience count in your favour.
• Scientist-C, Developmental Biology Group (post code Developmental Biology /Scientist- C/2026): for life-science, biochemistry or biotechnology graduates. A PhD plus post-doctoral work in cell and developmental biology, with cell culture and model-organism experience, is preferred.

Post-wise Duties

Scientist-C, Genetics and Plant Breeding

You will run breeding programmes in wheat, soybean and grape for higher yield, better quality and stress tolerance, using genomic tools such as GWAS, QTL mapping, marker-assisted selection and genomic selection. The work includes multi-location field trials, germplasm evaluation, biofortification research, quality analysis of oil, protein and minerals, and contributing to seed production and variety release.

Scientist-C, Developmental Biology

You will start and grow your own research projects in cell and developmental biology, organelle biology and disease, win external funding, and supervise research scholars. You will also take part in teaching, training and outreach and help maintain the institute's research facilities.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Probation: One year for Scientist-C, which the competent authority can extend.
• Pension: Selected candidates come under the National Pension System (NPS); medical reimbursement and LTC follow institute rules.
• Experience counting: Time spent earning your essential qualification does not count. Up to two years of PhD or post-doctoral research can count as experience if it is certified and backed by journal publications.
• Shortlisting: Meeting the essential qualification does not guarantee an interview call. If many people apply, ARI may shortlist using desirable qualifications or extra experience.
• Reserve panel: A merit panel from the interviewed candidates stays valid for one year and can fill later vacancies too.
• Posting liability: Selected scientists are liable to serve anywhere in India and abroad.
• Interview travel: Outstation candidates called for interview get two-tier AC rail fare by the shortest route.
• Serving employees: If you work in a government department, PSU or autonomous body, apply through proper channel or attach an NOC in the Annexure-I format; otherwise bring it to the interview.
• Jurisdiction: Any legal dispute can be filed only in the courts at Pune.

Application Submission Notes

First apply online on the ARI job portal (arijob.ourlib.in) with a valid email ID. Then send the printout with self-attested certificates, a passport-size photo and your publication or patent list to The Director, Agharkar Research Institute, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road, Pune – 411 004. Write "Application for <Post Code>" on the envelope, using the code of the post you are applying for.

The notice gives the hard-copy deadline as 30 days from the advertisement's publication in Employment News (45 days for candidates in the North-East, Ladakh, Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep). Pay the fee through SBI Collect and quote the receipt number in your form.

Corrigenda and Notices

• Where updates appear: Any addendum, corrigendum or recruitment update will be posted only on www.aripune.res.in, and interview calls go out by email only.

• Lead independent research projects in your group's discipline (plant breeding or cell and developmental biology)
• Plan, run and analyse field trials or laboratory experiments
• Apply genomic and molecular tools to research and breeding pipelines
• Publish results in peer-reviewed, high-impact journals
• Write research proposals and win extramural funding from national and international agencies
• Mentor and supervise research scholars
• Take part in teaching, training, outreach and institute work