NII Senior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

National Institute of Immunology (NII) is hiring 1 Senior Research Fellow (Project) for a DBT-funded dengue immunology project in New Delhi. If you have an M.Sc. or M.Tech in Life Sciences, at least 2 years of post-M.Sc. experience, and a cleared NET/GATE or similar national-level test, you can apply by email. The last date to apply is 16 June 2026. The salary is Rs. 42,000 per month plus 27% HRA.

National Institute of Immunology (NII) Senior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

National Institute of Immunology (NII) has released a project recruitment notice for Senior Research Fellow (Project) under the DBT-funded project Investigating the Role of Tfh Cells in Shaping Humoral Immunity in Dengue. The project is led by Dr. Nimesh Gupta, Staff Scientist-V, and is tenable up to 26 April 2029. This is a research-focused contract post for candidates who can work with human clinical samples, immune assays, and RNA-seq based analysis.

Project focus: The work studies how Tfh cells shape antibody response during dengue infection and how those immune responses may connect with severe disease. The project uses a longitudinal dengue patient cohort, which means samples and data are followed across time instead of being checked only once. The notification specifically points to immunophenotyping, serological profiling, single-cell RNA/TCR sequencing, and functional validation as part of the scientific work.

Why this role matters: This SRF role is not a routine desk post. You will be expected to connect wet-lab immunology, patient sample handling, sequencing workflows, and data analysis so the team can compare protective immune signatures with patterns linked to severe dengue outcomes.

Who Can Apply?

Educational Qualification

• Qualification: You need an M.Sc. or M.Tech in any area of Life Sciences.
• Experience: You need at least 2 years of post-M.Sc. experience.
• National-Level Test: You should have cleared NET, GATE, or another national-level examination.

Research Skills Needed

• Clinical sample handling: Experience with human samples, including PBMC isolation and plasma processing.
• Immunology assays: Strong working knowledge of flow cytometry, T-cell assays, ELISA, and neutralization assays.
• Virus work: Dengue virus handling or isolation experience is desirable.
• RNA-seq and bioinformatics: You should know library preparation and tools such as Seurat, Cell Ranger, and R.
• Single-cell work: Familiarity with single-cell transcriptomics and TCR repertoire analysis is important.
• Team work: The notice expects strong analytical skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary research team.

CV tip: Your CV should clearly show practical experience in these methods, not just course names. Include experimental expertise, publication details, and relevant software skills so the screening committee can quickly match your profile with the project needs.

Salary

• Monthly fellowship: Rs. 42,000 per month.
• HRA: 27% HRA will be paid as per the DST OM dated 26 June 2023.
• Other benefits: No hostel or housing facility will be provided by the institute.
• TA/DA: No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview, if you are called.

Contract note: Selection does not make the post permanent. The appointment will be for one year at a time or for the project period, whichever is shorter, as stated in the notification.

Application Fee

• General/OBC and other non-exempt candidates: Rs. 100.
• Women / SC / ST / PH candidates: No fee, subject to documentary proof.
• Payment mode: Demand Draft in favour of Director, NII, payable at Delhi/New Delhi, or payment through the bank/UPI details given in the notification.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Selection will be done through shortlisting and interview; the notice does not mention any written exam.

1. Application Screening: NII will check your qualification, research experience, national-level test status, CV, publications, and referee details.
2. Interview: Only shortlisted candidates will be called, and the interview may be held in offline or online mode.
3. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates need to submit attested copies of certificates and category proof, if applicable.

How to Apply

1. Download and fill the prescribed application format from the NII notification.
2. Prepare your complete CV with experimental expertise, publication list, and names of three referees.
3. Email the application and CV to the project investigator at nimesh.gupta@nii.ac.in.
4. Clearly mention the project name in your email so the application is routed correctly.
5. Add details of your present employment, past experience, national-level exam qualification, and academic records in the prescribed format.
6. Keep your certificates, category proof, and fee proof ready for the interview/document check.
7. If you claim fee exemption, keep the correct Women/SC/ST/PH proof ready because the exemption is linked to documentary proof.
8. Send the application before 16 June 2026.

Important Dates

• Announcement Start Date: 02 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 16 June 2026
• Interview Date: To be announced to shortlisted candidates
• Project Tenable Up To: 26 April 2029

• Handle human clinical samples including PBMC isolation and plasma processing
• Run immunology assays such as flow cytometry, T-cell assays, ELISA, and neutralization tests
• Support dengue-related virus handling, sample processing, and laboratory documentation
• Prepare RNA-seq libraries and assist with sequencing workflow quality checks
• Analyse single-cell and RNA-seq data using tools such as Seurat, Cell Ranger, and R
• Maintain experiment records, data files, and sample tracking sheets for the project
• Work with the project team to compare protective and severe dengue immune signatures