IITK Project Assistant Earth Sciences Recruitment 2026

IITK Project Assistant Recruitment 2026: Overview

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) is engaging a Project Assistant in its Department of Earth Sciences under Advertisement P.Rect./R&D/2026/173. This is a project contract connected with research on climate-change effects on glacio-fluvial processes and hydrogeomorphic flood vulnerability in the Upper Bhagirathi catchment of the West-Central Himalaya.

The assignment is strongly field-oriented: drone flying is central to the role, and the notice asks for both a valid aviation-authority licence and practical experience operating drones outdoors. If you are comfortable working around changing terrain and collecting reliable aerial observations, the project offers a direct way to support Himalayan hazard research rather than a routine desk assignment.

The research theme links climate change, river processes and flood vulnerability. Your field observations are expected to help the project team understand how mountain catchments respond to changing hydrological and geomorphic conditions, so careful flight practice and dependable records matter throughout the engagement.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Nature of engagement: this is a temporary, contractual project position and does not create a claim to a regular IIT Kanpur appointment.
• Initial tenure: the appointment is for six months; the notice does not promise an extension beyond that period.
• Project setting: the work belongs to a sponsored Earth Sciences study led by the principal investigator, Prof. Rajiv Sinha.
• Field readiness: hands-on drone flying in outdoor environments is preferred, so you should be prepared for practical field operations rather than only office-based data work.
• Licence condition: the stated minimum requirement includes a DGCA-certified Drone Pilot Licence, making valid flight credentials a core part of the profile.

Application Submission Notes

IIT Kanpur asks for a plain-paper application that names the post and carries your signature. The notice also accepts the application by email at nareshk@iitk.ac.in, which is the clearest remote submission route given for this opening.

Your application should make the Project Assistant role easy to identify and clearly show your graduation details, drone-pilot certification and relevant field experience. Since the institute has not supplied a separate online form for this post, do not rely on a generic IITK portal registration.

The notice names Prof. Rajiv Sinha as principal investigator and also provides rsinha@iitk.ac.in for project contact. Keep a copy of the signed application and sent-email record for your own reference because the job page does not describe a separate acknowledgement system.

• Operate drones safely during outdoor Earth Sciences fieldwork
• Check flight equipment and licence requirements before each operation
• Collect clear aerial observations from the assigned catchment areas
• Keep accurate flight logs and field notes for the research team
• Transfer and organize drone data for later project analysis
• Report weather, terrain, equipment, or safety issues to the project team