CSIR-CLRI Project Staff Recruitment 2026 — 57 Vacancies

About This Job

CSIR-CLRI Chennai is hiring for 57 project staff positions on a temporary, project-based basis. If you have an M.Sc, B.E./B.Tech, M.Pharm, or M.Tech in a relevant discipline, you can apply by attending the written test at CSIR-CLRI, Chennai. The written test is on 21 May 2026 at 11:00 AM (reporting time 9:30 AM). Salary ranges from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 42,000 per month plus HRA. Personal interviews will be held on 25 and 26 May 2026.

CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) Project Staff Recruitment 2026 - 57 Posts

CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai has issued Notification No. 03/2026 dated 30.04.2026 for engagement of 57 project personnel across 21 different categories of positions. The roles cover Project Assistant-II, Project Associate-I, Senior Project Associate, and Junior Research Fellow in fields including leather technology, biotechnology, computer science, and chemistry. Candidates with NET/GATE qualification can skip the written test and directly attend the personal interview.

Vacancy Breakdown by Position

• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Chemistry/Material Science: 17 posts (M.Sc with 60% marks)
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Pharma/Biotech: 8 posts (M.Pharm or M.Sc Biochemistry/Biotech)
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Computer Science: 4 posts (B.E./B.Tech in CSE/IT/AI&ML/AI&DS)
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Chemical/Civil/Mechanical/Electrical: 4 posts (B.E./B.Tech)
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Leather Technology: 3 posts (B.E./B.Tech in Leather Technology)
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Statistics/Computer Science/Mathematics: 2 posts
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Polymer Science: 2 posts
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Microbiology/Biotechnology: 2 posts
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - JRF/Chemistry combined: 2 posts (M.Sc Chemistry with NET/GATE)
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I) - Various single-position categories: 7 posts (Physics/Bioinformatics/Design/Computer Science MCA, etc.)
• Project Assistant-II (PA-II): 4 posts (B.Sc Physics/Biomechanics or 3-year Diploma in Engineering)
• Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Available with NET/GATE qualification — combined with PAT-I posts
• Senior Project Associate (S-PAT): 1 post (M.Pharm/M.Sc Biotech with 3 years research experience or M.Tech with experience)

Who Can Apply?

For Project Associate-I (Rs. 25,000-37,000/month):

• M.Sc in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Material Science, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Physics, Statistics, Computer Science, or Mathematics with 60% marks
• OR B.E./B.Tech in Leather/Chemical/Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Computer Science/IT/AI&ML/Biomedical Engineering with 60% marks
• OR M.Pharm in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• OR MCA/M.Sc in Computer Science/IT/AI&ML

For Junior Research Fellow (Rs. 37,000/month):

• M.Sc in Chemistry/Biotech/Lifesciences/Pharmacy with 60% marks AND NET/GATE qualification

For Project Assistant-II (Rs. 20,000/month):

• B.Sc in Physics/Biomechanics with 60% marks
• OR 3-year Diploma in Leather/Textile/Footwear/Mechanical Engineering
• OR B.Sc in Fashion Technology, Apparel Technology, Fashion Design, Textile, or Leather Design

For Senior Project Associate (Rs. 42,000/month):

• M.Pharm/M.Sc in Biotechnology/Lifesciences with 3 years of research experience
• OR M.Tech in Biotechnology/Life Science with 60% marks

Other Requirements:

• Final year/semester students who are awaiting results are not eligible
• Candidates who have completed 6/7 years as project staff in any CSIR Lab/Institute are NOT eligible
• You must bring all original certificates and passport-size photos to the test/interview

Age Limit

• Project Assistant-II: Up to 35 years (as on date of written test/interview)
• Project Associate-I: Up to 35 years
• Junior Research Fellow: Up to 28 years
• Senior Project Associate: Up to 40 years
• Age Relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST/PwBD/Women, 3 years for OBC, as per Government of India rules

Salary

• Project Assistant-II (PA-II): Rs. 20,000 per month + HRA
• Project Associate-I (PAT-I): Rs. 25,000 per month + HRA (Rs. 31,000 + HRA if NET/GATE qualified)
• Junior Research Fellow (JRF): Rs. 37,000 per month + HRA
• PAT-I (Special projects): Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 37,000 per month + HRA
• Senior Project Associate (S-PAT): Rs. 42,000 per month + HRA

Selection Process

The selection will be done in two stages:

1. Stage I — Written Test (Qualifying): Multiple Choice Questions covering subject-related topics (graduation level), General Awareness, General Intelligence, Aptitude, and General English. Maximum marks: 50. Time: 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM. Venue: Triple Helix Auditorium, CLRI. Cut-off marks fixed by the Competent Authority.
2. Stage II — Personal Interview: Candidates qualifying in the written test will appear for a personal interview on 25-26 May 2026.

Important: Candidates who have qualified in NET/GATE or national-level exams conducted by CSIR/DBT/DST/ICMR/IIT/IISc/IISER/UGC/ICAR can skip the written test and directly attend the personal interview.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form from the CSIR-CLRI website (clri.org) — it is enclosed as Annexure to the notification.
2. Fill the prescribed application form with all details.
3. Attach self-attested photocopies of all required certificates (10th, 12th, graduation, post-graduation, experience proof, photo ID).
4. Attach 2 recent passport-size colour photographs.
5. Reach the venue on the day of the written test (21 May 2026) at CSIR-CLRI, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600020 by 9:30 AM.
6. Bring all original certificates for verification at the time of interview.

Important: Applications cannot be sent by post, speed post, or courier. Candidates must appear in person.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 30 April 2026
• Date of Written Test: 21 May 2026 (Reporting 9:30 AM, Test 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM)
• Last Time to Report for Test: 10:30 AM on 21 May 2026
• Date of Personal Interview: 25 May 2026 and 26 May 2026 (Exact time will be intimated)
• Venue: CSIR-CLRI, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600020

• Conduct research and lab experiments related to leather technology, biotechnology, polymer science, or computer applications as per the assigned project
• Operate analytical instruments and characterisation equipment such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and microscopy
• Carry out wastewater analysis, solid waste sampling, and microbial techniques where required
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks, project progress reports, and experimental data records
• Assist senior scientists in publishing research papers, patents, and project deliverables
• Prepare materials, run characterisation tests, and analyse the results using MS Office tools
• Support development of leather products, footwear, biomaterials, or AI/ML models depending on the project
• Follow CSIR-CLRI safety, ethical, and quality protocols at all times