IIT Mandi Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

About This Job

IIT Mandi is hiring 1 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) for a DRDO AR&DB funded research project in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. If you have an M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related areas, you can apply by email. The last date to send the complete application is 15 June 2026 by 5:00 PM. Salary is Rs. 37,000 per month.

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) has issued Advertisement No. IITM/SRIC/DRDO-AR&DB/SZ/563/2026 for a Junior Research Fellow position on a purely temporary project basis. The project is titled Experimental and numerical modelling on long-term hygrothermal aging effects on mechanical properties of thermoplastic based carbon fiber reinforced composite lap joints developed through microwave joining. This is a focused research role in composites, FEM modelling, and mechanical/materials engineering, so it is meant for M.Tech candidates who want project research experience at an IIT.

The appointment starts for 6 months and may be extended based on performance. The project duration is 36 months, with project end date shown as 22 December 2028, but the individual appointment will follow the institute's project rules and performance review.

The work location is IIT Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh. The project is funded by the Aeronautics Research and Development Board (AR&DB), DRDO, and the project investigators named in the notice are Dr. Sunny Zafar and Dr. Himanshu Pathak. This makes the role especially relevant for M.Tech candidates who want research exposure in defence-funded materials and mechanical engineering work.

The notice gives an initial appointment period of 6 months. It can continue further based on performance, but you should apply with the understanding that this is a project-funded temporary research post, not a permanent institute job.

Who Can Apply?

Essential Qualification

• Qualification: You need an M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related areas.
• Nationality: The notice is for Indian nationals.
• Project fit: Your academic or research background should support work in composite materials, mechanical testing, numerical modelling, or related research areas.

Preferred Skills

• Polymer composites: Knowledge of polymer composites is listed as desirable.
• FEM software: Experience with FEM-based software for numerical modelling will be useful for this project.
• Composite manufacturing: Familiarity with manufacturing of polymer-matrix composites is preferred.
• Research writing: Knowledge of technical report writing and scientific publication drafting is also desirable.

Project-fit details can make your application stronger. The notice asks for a CV that includes research experience, publications, work experience, and academic performance details, so do not send a one-page casual resume if you have project work, thesis work, or publication drafts related to composites, FEM modelling, or materials engineering.

Salary

• Consolidated salary: Rs. 37,000 per month
• The notice describes this as a purely temporary project post with consolidated pay.
• No separate allowance details are mentioned in the notification.

Selection Process

The selection will be based on shortlisting and interview, with details sent by IIT Mandi to shortlisted applicants:

1. Application Scrutiny: IIT Mandi will check your CV, qualification details, research experience, publications, referees, and work experience information.
2. Shortlisting: The institute may set higher shortlisting criteria from among applicants who meet the advertised qualification.
3. Interview: Shortlisted applicants will receive interview details individually.
4. Document Check: You should keep academic records, research details, and experience proof ready for verification when asked.

No written exam is mentioned in the notification. The final decision will depend on project fit, qualification, shortlisting, and interview performance.

IIT Mandi may set higher shortlisting criteria if many applicants meet the minimum qualification. This means your marks, research experience, publications, software exposure, and project relevance can all matter during scrutiny.

How to Apply

1. Prepare a complete CV with personal details, personal email ID, and contact number.
2. Add your academic qualifications, research experience, publications, and work experience details.
3. Include the name, affiliation, mobile number, and email address of two referees.
4. Make one single PDF attachment with all required details.
5. Email it to cdmrg@iitmandi.ac.in.
6. Write the advertisement number IITM/SRIC/DRDO-AR&DB/SZ/563/2026 in the subject line.
7. Send the email before 15 June 2026 by 5:00 PM.

What to Put in the PDF Attachment

• Personal details: Add your personal email ID and contact number.
• Education details: Add qualifications with marks percentage or division.
• Research details: Add research experience, publications, and relevant project work.
• Referees: Add name, affiliation, mobile number, and email address of two referees.
• Work experience: Add experience details if you have worked in a relevant academic, research, or industry role.

If you need clarification about eligibility, the notice says you can contact cdmrg@iitmandi.ac.in. The same email ID is also used for sending the complete application before the 15 June 2026 deadline.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 1 June 2026
• Application Start: 1 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply by Email: 15 June 2026 by 5:00 PM
• Interview Date: To be announced to shortlisted applicants
• Project End Date: 22 December 2028

• Work on experimental and numerical modelling for composite lap joint research
• Study hygrothermal aging effects on thermoplastic carbon fiber composites
• Use FEM-based tools for simulation and numerical modelling tasks
• Support manufacturing and testing work related to polymer-matrix composites
• Prepare technical reports, research notes, and scientific publication drafts
• Coordinate with the project investigators and submit regular research updates