CMFRI Young Professional-I Deep-Sea Project 2026

CMFRI Young Professional-I Recruitment 2026: Overview

ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi is hiring a Young Professional-I for a research project funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) under Vertical III of the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). The project uses artificial neural networks to identify marine species automatically, with the aim of better exploring and sustainably using deep-sea marine fishes.

This is a project-based contract post, not a regular government job. It lasts for one year from the day you join, or until the project ends, whichever comes first. The role suits a fresh graduate in marine science, zoology, mariculture, fisheries science or marine biology who enjoys field work at sea and is comfortable with office and data tasks.

What makes this post different is the sea-going work. You should be ready to spend several days at a stretch on board research vessels for sampling, and the institute lists swimming skills and being seaworthy as desirable. Hands-on experience in collecting and identifying marine fish will give you a clear edge.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Work at sea: You must be ready to work on board vessels for multi-day sampling trips.
• Place of work: The base is ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi, but you can be sent anywhere the project work needs you.
• No regular job claim: The post is purely contractual, non-regular, time-bound and ends with the project. Selection does not give you any right to a permanent post at the institute.
• Pay: The monthly amount is a consolidated sum fixed under the revised ICAR guidelines for Young Professionals.
• Termination: The competent authority can end the engagement at any time without giving a reason.
• Relatives at ICAR/CMFRI: If any near or distant relative of yours works at ICAR-CMFRI, you must declare their name, designation, duties and relationship in Annexure-II before the closing date.
• Working candidates: If you already have a job, you need an original No Objection Certificate from your present employer if you are called for the interview.
• Travel costs: No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview.
• Conduct: Hiding facts or canvassing in any form leads to disqualification or termination. The decision of the Director, ICAR-CMFRI is final.

Application Submission Notes

There is no online portal for this post. Email your biodata, the signed Annexure-I application form and scanned copies of all original certificates from Class 10 onwards to deepocean3v2026@gmail.com. If the scanned certificates do not reach the institute in time, you will not be allowed to appear for the interview.

Only shortlisted candidates will be informed by email, and only those who get this official message can attend the interview on the given date and time. Carry one valid ID proof with you on the interview day.

• Collect marine fish samples during multi-day trips on research vessels
• Identify and record deep-sea fish species for the project database
• Help build image and data sets used to train the species identification model
• Keep sampling records, files and project documents in order
• Prepare reports, spreadsheets and presentations using MS Office
• Handle office correspondence for the project team
• Support the Project PI in day-to-day research tasks at Kochi and field sites