NEHU Biochemistry Project Associate and Field Assistant 2026

NEHU Project Associate-I and Field Assistant Recruitment 2026: Overview

North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, is holding a walk-in interview for a Project Associate-I (PA-I) and a Field Assistant (FA) in its Department of Biochemistry. Both posts sit under a Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-funded project led by Dr. Arvind Kumar, which studies silicate-solubilising bacteria in the paddy fields of East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.

The study looks at the diversity and abundance of these bacteria alongside the physicochemical properties of the soil, with the goal of building a location-specific biofertilizer. These are temporary project posts that end with the project, governed by DBT rules and NEHU regulations. If you have a life-science or agriculture background and want hands-on soil microbiology work in the North-East, this is a good entry point.

Posts and Disciplines

• Project Associate-I (PA-I): the senior research role, open to M.Sc. holders in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Botany or a related subject. Your fellowship tier depends on whether you have cleared CSIR-UGC NET-LS, GATE or a similar national-level exam, and prior work in soil microbiology, molecular biology or phylogenetic analysis gives you an edge.
• Field Assistant (FA): the support role for B.Sc. graduates in Life Sciences or Agricultural Sciences; an M.Sc. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology or Microbiology is preferred. This post carries a much higher upper age limit than PA-I.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: Both posts start with an initial six-month term. PA-I can be extended up to 10 June 2029 and FA up to 10 June 2027, subject to satisfactory performance.
• Co-terminus: The positions are entirely temporary and end with the project.
• DBT rules: Other terms set by DBT, Government of India, for Project Associate-I and Field Assistant posts also apply.
• NOC: If you are working or enrolled in a course, bring an NOC from your Head of Department.
• Document check: Originals of your qualification, age and experience are checked at the interview; any detail found incorrect cancels your selection automatically.
• No TA/DA: You get no travel allowance for attending, and meeting the essential qualification alone does not guarantee selection.

Application Submission Notes

There is no online form. Walk in to the Seminar Hall, Department of Biochemistry, NEHU, Shillong for the 2:00 PM interview — report before 1:30 PM. Bring the filled application form printed at the end of the advertisement with copies of your supporting documents.

If you want to try for both posts, fill in and bring two separate application forms, one for each post.