CSIR-NCL Project Associate-II Physics Recruitment 2026

CSIR-NCL Project Associate-II Recruitment 2026: Overview

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune is hiring a Project Associate-II (PAT-II) for its Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry (CAT) Division. The post belongs to a CSIR-funded project to research, design, develop and demonstrate an indigenous 5 kW AEM water electrolyser — a machine that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using an anion exchange membrane, a key piece of India's green hydrogen push.

This is a computational role, not a wet-lab one. You will run DFT-based calculations to work out how different catalyst materials behave inside the electrolyser, using codes such as Gaussian, VASP and Quantum Espresso on a Linux system. A Master's or Integrated Master's in Physics is the base requirement, and prior experience in computational chemistry gives you a clear edge. The project is led by K. Selvaraj, and the interview is held online.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Two pay tiers: The higher monthly amount applies only if you have cleared CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET (including lectureship or assistant professorship), GATE, or a national-level exam run by central departments such as DBT or DST. Everyone else gets the lower amount.
• Project-linked tenure: The engagement runs only as long as the sponsored project, and it continues only while your performance and conduct stay satisfactory.
• Not a CSIR post: This is a purely temporary engagement. It is not a CSIR or NCL appointment and does not give you any claim to a regular CSIR-NCL post or fellowship.
• Screening may cut the list: Holding the minimum degree does not guarantee an interview call. A Screening Committee may shortlist only applicants with qualifications and experience above the minimum, so mention every relevant qualification and every computational project you have done.
• Online interview: The Selection Committee meets shortlisted candidates over Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx or a similar platform. The link comes by email and no call letter is sent.
• No travel allowance: No TA/DA is paid for the interview, and a selected candidate must join immediately after receiving the offer.

Application Submission Notes

You can apply only online through the CSIR-NCL project jobs portal at jobs.ncl.res.in. Keep a working email ID ready, since the interview link is sent by email.

• Photo and signature: Scan them in JPG/JPEG format, keeping the photo under 50 kb and the signature under 25 kb.
• Certificates: Keep readable scans of your mark sheets (SSC, HSC, graduation, master's and PhD if any), your NET/GATE scorecard if you claim the higher pay, and one PDF of all testimonials.
• Guidelines: Read the How to Apply guide on the portal before you start.
• Shortlist and queries: The interview shortlist is posted on the website and the divisional notice board. For questions, email the KS Office, NCM Lab at ncmlabselva@gmail.com or call 020-25902868.

• Run DFT-based calculations on candidate catalyst materials for AEM water electrolysers
• Analyse calculation results to explain the catalytic performance of each material
• Set up and manage simulation jobs in Gaussian, VASP and Quantum Espresso
• Work on a Linux-based system to prepare inputs, submit jobs and process outputs
• Share computational findings with the project team developing the 5 kW electrolyser