IAV Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

About This Job

IAV Kerala is hiring 1 Junior Research Fellow for an ANRF-funded Nipah virus research project. If you have a Master's Degree in Life Sciences with 60% marks or equivalent CGPA, you can apply online through the Google Form. The last date to submit the form is 07 July 2026, 5:00 PM. Age limit is 35 years, and salary is Rs. 31,000 to Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA based on your NET/GATE or national-level exam status.

Institute of Advanced Virology Kerala JRF Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Institute of Advanced Virology Kerala (IAV) has released Advertisement No. IAV/459/R&D/2026 dated 16 June 2026 for a project-linked Junior Research Fellow post. The project is titled Nipah Virus Inhibitors: Targeting the L Protein Using a Minigenome-based screen and is funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the PMECRG Scheme.

The work will be carried out under Dr. Jithesh Kottur, Principal Investigator, Department of Antiviral Drug Research at IAV. The appointment is initially for one year and may be extended after yearly performance review and funding approval. This is a temporary research role, so it is best suited for Life Sciences postgraduates who want hands-on virology, antiviral screening, and cell culture experience.

Who Can Apply?

Essential Qualification

• Qualification: You need a Master's Degree in Life Sciences from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
• Marks: You should have at least 60% marks or the corresponding CGPA in the qualifying degree.
• Higher stipend route: The higher fellowship applies if you have CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, or another national-level examination conducted by Central Government departments, agencies or institutions.

Desirable Skills

• Cell culture: Experience in mammalian cell culture will help for this project.
• Assay work: Transfection, high-throughput inhibitor screening, biochemical assays, and cell-based reporter assays are preferred skills.
• Project fit: A background in antiviral research, molecular biology, virology, or screening assays can strengthen your application.

Age Limit

• Maximum age: 35 years as on 07 July 2026.
• Age relaxation: Relaxation will be given as per ANRF guidelines.
• Proof: Keep your date of birth proof ready because the age cut-off is tied to the last application date.

Salary

• NET/GATE or accepted national exam qualified: Rs. 37,000 per month plus applicable HRA.
• Other qualified applicants: Rs. 31,000 per month plus applicable HRA.
• Tenure: Initially one year, extendable each year based on performance and approval from the funding agency.
• Nature of post: The post is project-linked and temporary; it does not give a claim for regular appointment at IAV or ANRF.

Application Fee

• No application fee is mentioned in the official notification.
• You only need to submit the online application form before the deadline.

Selection Process

IAV will shortlist applicants through screening by a committee. Only those who meet the essential qualification and clear screening will move to the next stage.

1. Application Screening: IAV checks qualification, marks, exam status, project fit, and information submitted in the Google Form.
2. Written Test and/or Interview: Shortlisted applicants may be selected through a written test, interview, or both.
3. Document Verification: Original certificates and supporting documents may be checked before final selection or joining.
4. Final Decision: IAV can decide the number of posts to fill and may cancel or change the selection process if needed.

How to Apply

1. Open the official application link given by IAV: forms.gle/VjyS4beD2XkKwo188.
2. Fill in your personal, education, contact, and research details carefully.
3. Mention your NET/GATE or national-level exam qualification if you have one.
4. Upload or provide the required details in the form as asked by IAV.
5. Submit the form before 07 July 2026, 5:00 PM.
6. Keep your email active because IAV will send all communication for this appointment through email only.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Education proof: Master's degree certificate, mark sheets and recognised university proof if asked.
• Marks proof: Document showing 60% marks or equivalent CGPA in the qualifying Life Sciences degree.
• Exam proof: CSIR-UGC NET, GATE or accepted national-level exam certificate if you want to be considered for the Rs. 37,000 + HRA fellowship route.
• Skill proof: Any certificate, dissertation, project work or experience record linked to cell culture, transfection, inhibitor screening or biochemical assays.
• Age proof: Date of birth proof for the 35-year age limit counted as on 07 July 2026.
• Contact details: A valid email ID is important because IAV will send all appointment-related communication through email.

Application tip: Keep your research experience short and clear in the form. Mention the techniques you have actually used, the model systems you worked on, and any dissertation or publication linked to virology, molecular biology or drug screening.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 16 June 2026
• Application Start: 16 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 07 July 2026, 5:00 PM
• Age Reference Date: 07 July 2026
• Written Test / Interview Date: To be informed by IAV

• Handle research work linked to the Nipah virus inhibitor screening project
• Prepare mammalian cell culture experiments and keep clean lab records
• Assist with transfection, reporter assays, biochemical assays and screening work
• Maintain organised data files, experiment notes and reagent records
• Work with the principal investigator and project team on planned research tasks
• Follow IAV biosafety, laboratory and project reporting rules during the appointment