CSIR-NBRI Director Recruitment 2026

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is looking for a Director to head CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow. If you hold a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences (or a Master's degree in Engineering/Health/Medical Sciences), with 16+ years of R&D experience, you can apply by email or post. The last date to send your application is 15 September 2026. The post carries Level 15 pay (Rs. 1,82,200 to Rs. 2,24,100 per month) for a 6-year tenure.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Director Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

CSIR, established in 1942 under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is inviting applications and nominations for the post of Director, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow — one of India's premier centres for plant science, internationally recognized for its work in the documentation, conservation, and sustainable use of plant diversity through traditional and advanced biotechnological approaches. The Institute has made significant contributions in plant biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, plant physiology, phytochemistry, biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the reclamation of degraded ecosystems. CSIR-NBRI is equipped with world-class, NABL-accredited scientific infrastructure and one of the country's largest digitized herbaria, and it runs regular training and skill-development programmes for farmers, entrepreneurs, students, and researchers, besides maintaining wide collaborations with academia, industry, and government. This is a senior leadership role for an accomplished scientist who can head a multidisciplinary R&D institute and drive translational research with national impact.

CSIR has the distinction of having the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India as the President of its Society, and it has developed numerous technologies over the decades while continuing to work on cutting-edge fronts to support India's vision of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) — the CSIR-NBRI Director will play a direct role in advancing this larger national mission.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: Ph.D. in Natural Sciences, or a Master's Degree in Engineering/Health/Medical Sciences (Ph.D. is desirable for these streams).
• Experience: At least 16 years of Research & Development experience, with a focus on translational research, in areas relevant to CSIR-NBRI's work — plant science, biotechnology, biodiversity, or related fields. Your experience is counted from the start of your research career, and you should show demonstrated leadership excellence.
• Profile: You should be a creative, innovative, and well-recognized scientist or technologist with a demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary R&D teams and maintain excellent interpersonal relations. You should have made significant contributions in technology development, apart from creating IP and publishing research, and be able to build a work environment that nurtures high-class R&D.

Age Limit

• You should be 45 years or above but not exceeding 56 years of age.
• Relaxation: Age, qualifications, and experience can be relaxed for exceptionally meritorious candidates with the approval of the Director General, CSIR.

Salary

• The Director's post carries Level 15 of the Pay Matrix (Rs. 1,82,200 to Rs. 2,24,100 per month), plus allowances as admissible.
• You also get residential accommodation, transport, and medical facilities, along with a share of money earned from external contract R&D, consultancy, and S&T services, as per CSIR rules.
• The appointment is for a tenure of 6 years or until superannuation, whichever is earlier; the tenure is renewable only in exceptional cases. After your tenure, you can be considered for absorption in CSIR as a Director's Grade Scientist — Scientist 'H'/Outstanding Scientist — as per rules.

Selection Process

CSIR selects the Director based on a review of your academic and research record:

1. Screening of Application/Nomination: Your bio-data, publications, patents, and translational research contributions are evaluated against the eligibility criteria.
2. Final Selection: Made by the competent authority based on merit, leadership record, and your vision for CSIR-NBRI.

As Director, you would be heading one of 37 constituent laboratories under CSIR — an organization with nearly 3,500 scientists and about 9,000 JRF/SRF/RA and project staff nationwide, which publishes over 5,000 papers annually in peer-reviewed international journals and holds a portfolio of 1,340 active patents in India. CSIR currently holds the number 1 overall rank among government research institutions in India, and features among the top 200 government institutions worldwide as per the SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026.

How to Apply

1. Prepare your detailed bio-data covering your scientific and translational research contributions, publications, and patents, using the format given in the notification.
2. Also fill the additional pro-forma covering your qualifications, experience, honors/awards, and 5 professional referees.
3. Send your application by email to drc.hqrs@csir.res.in, or by post to the Director Recruitment Cell, CSIR, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001.
4. Make sure your application reaches CSIR before the last date.

Important Dates

• Last Date to Apply: 15 September 2026

• Lead and manage the overall scientific direction of CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow
• Supervise and exercise administrative control over the Institute's scientific and support staff
• Drive the Institute's mission in plant science research and translational innovation
• Build a work environment that encourages high-quality R&D and other S&T activities
• Align the Institute's research priorities with national and societal/industrial needs
• Represent CSIR-NBRI in collaborations with academia, industry, and government bodies
• Guide technology development, IP creation, and commercialization efforts at the Institute