CMFRI Young Professional & Field Assistant Recruitment 2026

ICAR-CMFRI's Mandapam Regional Centre is hiring 3 candidates — 1 Young Professional-I and 2 Field Assistants — for its seaweed cultivation project under PMMSY. If you have a UG degree in Marine Biology, Fishery Science or a related subject (for Young Professional-I) or have passed 10th standard (for Field Assistant), you can attend the walk-in interview. The interview is on 21 August 2026 at the Mandapam Regional Centre, Tamil Nadu. Selected candidates get a consolidated pay of Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month.

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Young Professional and Field Assistant Recruitment 2026 - 3 Posts

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research's Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Mandapam Regional Centre, has invited candidates for a walk-in interview to fill 1 Young Professional-I and 2 Field Assistant positions under the project 'Centre of Excellence for Seaweed Cultivation', funded under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). ICAR-CMFRI is India's premier marine fisheries research institute and has been running seaweed cultivation and coastal aquaculture programs along the Tamil Nadu coast for many years. Seaweed farming is a growing coastal livelihood activity in India, and PMMSY — a Central Sector Scheme funded by the Government of India — supports projects like this one to build technology, capacity and market linkages for seaweed cultivators along the Indian coast. The project focuses on scaling up seaweed cultivation and processing technology, and the selected candidates will support field research, data collection and cultivation activities under the guidance of CMFRI scientists. Both positions are purely contractual, valid for up to one year or till the project ends, whichever is earlier. This is a good opportunity for life science graduates and 10th-pass candidates who are interested in coastal and marine research work, and it gives freshers a chance to gain hands-on field research experience with a leading ICAR institute.

Vacancy Details

Who Can Apply?

For Young Professional-I (Rs. 30,000/month):

• Qualification: UG degree in Marine Biology, Fishery Science, Aquaculture, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology, Environmental Science or Life Sciences.
• Desirable: Experience in seaweed farming or micropropagation, experience in water and sediment quality analysis, and scientific publications in a peer-reviewed journal.
• You will work full-time on the project and will not be permitted to take up any other assignment during your engagement.

For Field Assistant (Rs. 18,000/month):

• Qualification: 10th Standard pass.
• Desirable: One year of hands-on experience in seaweed farming, swimming ability, and experience preparing bamboo rafts, monolines and tube-nets used for seaweed farming.
• This role involves outdoor and on-water fieldwork, so basic swimming ability is an advantage.
• Like the Young Professional-I post, this position is full-time and you will not be permitted to take up any other assignment during your engagement.

If a close relative already works at ICAR-CMFRI, you must declare their name, designation and relationship in writing (as per Annexure-II of the application) at the time of the interview. If you are currently employed, carry a No Objection Certificate from your employer.

Age Limit

• You should be between 21 and 45 years old as on the date of the interview (21 August 2026), with relaxation as per government rules.

Salary

• Young Professional-I: Rs. 30,000 per month (consolidated, as per ICAR guidelines).
• Field Assistant: Rs. 18,000 per month (consolidated, as per ICAR guidelines).
• No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview.

Selection Process (Walk-in Interview - No Written Exam)

Selection is through a direct walk-in interview:

1. Document Screening: Bring your original certificates, mark sheets, proof of age and testimonials for verification at the venue.
2. Interview: Eligible candidates are interviewed on the spot by the selection committee.

If your marks are issued in CGPA/OGPA format, bring the official approved conversion table or formula — otherwise your candidature will not be considered. The decision of the Director, ICAR-CMFRI is final and binding in all respects. These are purely contractual, non-regular positions that are co-terminus with the project — you cannot claim a regular appointment at the Institute based on this engagement.

How to Apply

1. Attend the walk-in interview directly at the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI, Marine Fisheries Post, Mandapam Camp, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu - 623520.
2. Report for Young Professional-I at 09:30 AM or for Field Assistant at 11:30 AM on 21 August 2026.
3. Carry original and self-attested copies of your certificates, mark sheets, proof of age and other testimonials mentioned in the advertisement.
4. Reach the venue well before your reporting time, since walk-in interviews are usually conducted on a first-come basis.
5. No online application, registration or application fee is required — this is a direct walk-in interview.
6. For queries, you can contact the institute at 04573-241443 / 241973 or email scientistincharge.incharge@gmail.com.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 6 August 2026
• Walk-in Interview Date: 21 August 2026

• Assist in seaweed cultivation, monitoring and micropropagation activities in the field
• Collect and record water and sediment quality data at project sites
• Prepare bamboo rafts, monolines and tube-nets used for seaweed farming
• Support data collection, documentation and reporting for the PMMSY project
• Help conduct field surveys and sample collection along the coast
• Maintain equipment, tools and project records at the Mandapam centre
• Coordinate with CMFRI scientists and technical staff during field visits
• Follow institute guidelines and safety protocols during fieldwork