IIT Madras Project Associate II Recruitment 2026

IIT Madras is hiring 2 Project Associate-II posts in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. If you have a science, agriculture, engineering, technology, medicine, BVSc, B.Pharm, or related degree with 2 years of R&D experience, you can apply online. The last date for online application is 30 June 2026. Salary is Rs. 33,000 or Rs. 42,000 per month plus HRA, based on whether you meet the ANRF national-level selection condition.

IIT Madras Project Associate II Recruitment 2026 - 2 Posts

Indian Institute of Technology Madras has issued Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt.118/2026 dated 16 June 2026 for temporary Project Associate-II posts under the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research. The project is coordinated by Prof. Deepak Paramashivan in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. The post is initially for one year and may be extended based on performance, so it suits candidates who want contract research work at a top institute.

Who Can Apply?

Minimum Qualification and Experience

• Degree options: You can apply with a four-year bachelor's degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences, a master's degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences, BVSc, B.Pharm, or a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, or Medicine from a recognised university or equivalent.
• Experience: You need 2 years of experience in R&D in industrial or academic institutions, S&T organisations, or scientific activities and services.
• Citizenship: Indian citizens can apply. Persons who migrated from Pakistan for permanent settlement and subjects of Nepal may need a Government of India eligibility certificate as mentioned in the notice.

Higher Pay Condition

• Rs. 42,000 + HRA category: You should also satisfy ANRF category 3(i), such as selection through CSIR-UGC NET including Lectureship/Assistant Professorship, GATE, or a national-level selection process conducted by Central Government departments, agencies, or institutions.
• Rs. 33,000 + HRA category: Candidates who do not fall under the above national-level selection category may be considered at the lower project associate pay.

Desirable Project Fit

• Subject fit: Humanities, Social Sciences, Indian Knowledge Systems, Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Sanskrit, Performance Studies, AI and Ethics, Digital Humanities, cultural knowledge systems, or related interdisciplinary areas.
• Work fit: Academic project administration, fieldwork, archival research, interviews, transcription, translation coordination, data curation, qualitative analysis, digital documentation, reporting, publication support, workshops, and stakeholder coordination.
• Communication: Good written communication and documentation discipline are important because the role works with researchers, field partners, administrative offices, and interdisciplinary project teams.

The vacancy is for 2 posts under one advertisement, and every applicant should match the qualification, experience, and project-fit points before applying. The notification also says the crucial date for checking eligibility is the closing date of the online application, so your qualification and experience should be ready by 30 June 2026.

Salary

• Higher pay category: Rs. 42,000 per month plus HRA for scholars selected through the ANRF category 3(i) type process mentioned in the notification.
• Other category: Rs. 33,000 per month plus HRA for candidates who do not fall under the higher pay condition.
• Tenure: The appointment is initially for one year and can be extended based on performance.
• Contract nature: The post is purely on contract basis and does not give any claim for regular appointment at IIT Madras.

Selection Process

IIT Madras will shortlist applicants using the details submitted in the online application. The notification allows the institute to choose the mode of screening, test, or interview based on the number and quality of applications.

1. Online application scrutiny: Your qualification, experience, project fit, and uploaded details will be checked.
2. Shortlisting: IIT Madras may restrict the number of applicants called for test or interview using higher qualification, relevant experience, and academic achievements.
3. Test / Interview: Shortlisted applicants may be called for a test and/or interview. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
4. Document verification: Original documents can be checked at test, interview, appointment, or during the tenure of service.

No detailed written exam pattern is given in the notification, so prepare mainly around your research experience, project fit, documents, and interview discussion.

How to Apply

1. Go to the IIT Madras IC&SR careers page at icandsr.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php.
2. Register or log in with a valid email ID.
3. Find Advertisement No. 118/2026 for Project Associate-II.
4. Fill in the online application form and select the relevant position before submitting.
5. Upload or enter correct education, experience, and other required details.
6. Submit the form before 30 June 2026. After submission, the form cannot be edited or reverted.
7. Take a printout of the submitted form and keep it ready for document verification, test, or interview. Do not send a hard copy to IIT Madras unless called.

Apply only once for the same post, because multiple applications for the same post can lead to rejection.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 16 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 30 June 2026
• Test / Interview Date: To be announced
• Document Verification: At the time of test, interview, or appointment as decided by IIT Madras

• Support research design, fieldwork, and archival research for the project
• Handle data organisation, literature review, and digital documentation work
• Coordinate transcription, translation, interviews, and qualitative research inputs
• Prepare reports, publication material, workshop notes, and project records
• Work with researchers, field partners, and administrative offices
• Follow timelines, documentation standards, and instructions from the PI and senior project staff