CSIR-CFTRI Project Associate II Recruitment 2026

CSIR-CFTRI is hiring 1 Project Associate – II (PAT-II) for an ongoing research project at its Mysuru campus. If you have an M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology or Nutrition with 2 years of R&D experience, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 16 August 2026. You need to be under 35 years old as on the closing date. The monthly stipend is Rs. 28,000 plus HRA.

CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) Project Associate – II Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, is one of the constituent laboratories of CSIR functioning under India's Ministry of Science and Technology. Set up in 1950, it is the country's leading institute for food science and technology research, working on food processing, food safety, packaging, sensory science, nutrition and food biotechnology. Its Project Manpower (PAT Cell) portal continuously advertises short-term research positions linked to sponsored and grant-funded projects, and this round has opened 1 Project Associate – II position under advertisement code GAP657.

This role needs prior research experience, unlike the entry-level Project Associate – I posts advertised on the same portal, making it suited to candidates who already have some hands-on R&D exposure in food science. It is also the highest-paid Project Associate – I/II opening on the current portal listing for candidates from a food science or nutrition background, since the notification specifies a higher stipend of Rs. 28,000 given the added 2-year experience requirement.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology or Nutrition or equivalent from a recognized university
• Experience: 2 years' experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science & Technology Organisations

"Equivalent" degrees from any UGC-recognized university are accepted. Your R&D experience should be in a relevant industrial, academic or Science & Technology organisation — CSIR-CFTRI does not specify a minimum number of publications or a specific employer type, only the duration and nature of the work.

Age Limit

• You should be under 35 years of age as on the closing date of the online application (16 August 2026).

Salary

• The selected candidate will get a monthly stipend of Rs. 28,000 plus HRA.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) is paid on top of the base stipend as applicable.
• This is a consolidated project stipend, not a regular government pay-scale salary, since the position is temporary and tied to project funding.

How to Apply

1. Go to the CSIR-CFTRI Project Manpower Portal at patcell.cftri.res.in.
2. Click on the Apply Online link and register with your basic details.
3. Select advertisement code GAP657 (Project Associate – II).
4. Fill in the online application form with your educational and experience details.
5. Upload your documents, photo and signature as required.
6. Submit the form before the last date.

Note: With effect from 1 January 2026, CSIR-CFTRI has discontinued hiring from its old empanelled Subject Panels. You must apply separately to each individual advertisement, including this one, to be considered for the selection process and interview. The portal also carries several other Project Associate openings with different subject requirements and deadlines — check patcell.cftri.res.in regularly if this particular post code does not match your qualification and experience level.

Important Dates

• Last Date to Apply Online: 16 August 2026

• Plan and execute research experiments in food science and nutrition as per project needs
• Analyze food samples and interpret results using standard lab techniques
• Prepare technical reports, literature reviews and project documentation
• Maintain lab equipment, reagents and samples used in the research project
• Coordinate with senior scientists on project milestones and deliverables
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and institute quality standards
• Present findings at project review meetings and update work progress regularly