MKU Research Interns Recruitment 2026

About This Job

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) is offering 12 Research Intern positions in Ancient Genomics and Bio-Archaeology at the Department of Genetics. If you are a final-semester student or have completed a relevant PG degree, you can apply online through the official Google Form. The last date to register is 5 July 2026. Fellowship is Rs. 10,000 per month for Category I and Rs. 15,000 per month for Category II.

Madurai Kamaraj University Research Interns Recruitment 2026 - 12 Posts

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), through the Ancient Genomics Laboratory in the Department of Genetics, has announced an internship opportunity for July to December 2026. The lab works with the Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, to study ancient DNA, population history, proteomics, organic molecular profiling, bio-archaeology, animal and plant DNA, and computational genomics. This is a research internship with full-time lab work at MKU, not a regular permanent post.

The work is linked to archaeological samples and datasets from ancient Tamil Nadu. Interns will help with literature review, laboratory or computational investigation, weekly reports, monthly reports, and a final consolidated report. Strong output may also support scientific writing under the coordinator's guidance.

Research Areas You May Work On

• Ancient human genomics: DNA data from archaeological human skeletal remains and comparison with modern and ancient genome datasets.
• Population genomics: Analysis of mitochondrial haplogroups, population models and migration routes.
• Ancient proteomics: Protein isolation and LC-MS/MS based work on archaeological skeletal samples.
• Bio-Archaeology and organic molecular profiling: Study of food practices, oils, dyes, clothing materials and related molecular evidence.
• Computing for Bio-Archaeology: Database development, data querying and computational comparison across datasets.
• Ancient rice, millet, animal and plant tracing: Molecular and genomic work connected to ancient Tamil Nadu samples.

Vacancy Details

Who Can Apply?

Academic Qualification

• Life Science route: M.Sc., M.Tech. or B.Tech students from Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and related courses can apply.
• Computing route: M.Tech., M.C.A. or M.Sc. students in Computer Applications and related courses can apply.
• Completed PG route: Those who completed M.Sc. or M.Tech. in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Chemistry and related courses can apply.
• Coding route: Completed M.C.A. or M.Tech. Computer Applications applicants should have strong coding skills.

Research Fit

• Interest area: You should have strong interest in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Genomics, interdisciplinary research, or computing methods for genomic research.
• Lab commitment: You must be ready for full-time lab work at the Department of Genetics, MKU.
• Knowledge base: Basic Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, coding, literature reading and report writing skills will help.

Fellowship

• Category I: Rs. 10,000 per month for 4 months.
• Category II: Rs. 15,000 per month for up to 6 months.
• Funding support: The fellowship is linked to the Ancient Genomics Project supported by the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Selection Process

MKU will shortlist applicants using the online registration details, documents and proposal submitted with the form. The notification says shortlisted applicants may be invited for a selection process or discussion during the second week of July 2026.

Your proposal matters: The form asks for a 2 to 4 page plan on one research area. It should clearly explain your proposed work, objectives, method, weekly progress plan, expected scientific outcome and prior literature, so prepare it carefully before submitting the form.

1. Online registration: Submit your details, mark sheets, CV and proposal through the official Google Form before 5 July 2026.
2. Document and proposal screening: The department will check your academic background, research interest, proposal and fit with the 11 research areas.
3. Selection discussion: Shortlisted applicants may be called for a discussion by the Department of Genetics, MKU during July second week.
4. Final selection: Selected interns will work at MKU in one assigned Ancient Genomics or Bio-Archaeology problem area.

How to Apply

1. Open the official registration form at forms.gle/HDrHiQP7XgBjMeaMA.
2. Fill in your personal, academic and contact details.
3. Upload your mark sheets.
4. Upload your updated CV.
5. Prepare and upload a 2 to 4 page brief proposal on one of the 11 research areas listed in the notice.
6. In the proposal, explain what you want to work on, key objectives, method, weekly progress plan, scientific outcome and prior literature.
7. Submit the form before 5 July 2026.

Before applying: Keep your mark sheets, CV and proposal ready as digital files. The notice specifically asks applicants to upload all three items, so incomplete uploads can weaken your application even if your qualification matches.

Internship Expectations

• Daily work: Maintain experiment and activity records during the internship.
• Weekly output: Prepare short weekly reports on work completed and next steps.
• Monthly reporting: Submit consolidated monthly reports as expected by the coordinator.
• Final output: Try to complete the assigned work and prepare a consolidated end-of-tenure report.
• Publication note: Authorship may be possible only when the intern makes a publishable contribution, as decided by the coordinator.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 19 June 2026
• Application Start: 19 June 2026
• Last Date to Register: 5 July 2026
• Selection Process / Discussion: July second week 2026
• Internship Period: July to December 2026, depending on category and progress

• Work on assigned Ancient Genomics or Bio-Archaeology research objectives at MKU
• Review scientific literature and prepare short summaries for the project team
• Support laboratory or computational investigation work as assigned by the coordinator
• Maintain daily experiment records and research notes properly
• Prepare weekly, monthly and final consolidated reports during the internship
• Assist with data analysis, molecular profiling, genomics or bioinformatics workflows based on the assigned area
• Contribute to scientific writing when the generated data is suitable for publication