NIT Rourkela JRF Recruitment 2026

NIT Rourkela is hiring 1 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) for a research project on physical layer security in non-terrestrial network communications, in the Electronics and Communication Engineering department. If you have an M.Tech/M.E./M.S. with GATE (or equivalent), you can apply by email. The last date to apply is 12 July 2026. The fellowship pays Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA, and there's an opportunity to enrol in a PhD programme.

NIT Rourkela Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NITR), an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, has invited applications for 1 Junior Research Fellow position under the sponsored research project 'Design and Development of Intelligent Physical Layer Security Techniques for Non-Terrestrial Network-based Communications' (Advt. No. 24EC049), funded by ANRF and SERB. The engagement is purely temporary/contractual and co-terminus with the project, which runs until around June 2028 (Project Code: SR-24-EC-049). The project is led by Prof. Vinay Bankey in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. NIT Rourkela's Sponsored Research, Industrial Consultancy and Continuing Education (SRICCE) office runs several such research fellowships in parallel, so if telecom security research interests you, this JRF position is a strong entry point into full-time research with a pathway to enrol in a PhD programme.

NIT Rourkela is located in Sector 1, Rourkela, Sundergarh district, Odisha, and is recognized as an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its Sponsored Research, Industrial Consultancy and Continuing Education office regularly advertises Junior Research Fellow and Project Fellow positions for ongoing sponsored projects across departments — from telecommunications to biomedical engineering to earth sciences — giving candidates a genuine entry point into full-time academic research.

Who Can Apply?

This project accepts candidates through three different eligibility routes, so check carefully which one matches your qualifications:

• Qualification: M.Tech/M.E./M.S. (GATE qualified) in Electronics and Communication/Electrical and Electronics/Electrical/Electronics/Instrumentation/Computer Science Engineering or similar, with a minimum of 60% marks or 6.5/10 CGPA in both your Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
• OR: B.E./B.Tech in a related discipline with minimum 65% marks or 7.0/10 CGPA and a valid GATE score.
• OR: M.Sc. (with GATE/CSIR-UGC NET/GPAT) in Electronics or similar with 65% marks or 7.0/10 CGPA.
• Desirable: interest in telecommunications security (5G/6G, wireless networks, SDNs, satellite communications), knowledge of AI/ML algorithms, and programming skills in MATLAB/C++/Python.

What You Will Work On

As a Junior Research Fellow on this project, you will research innovative AI/ML solutions and their trustworthiness to strengthen physical layer security in Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) based communications — this includes satellite links, UAV (drone) networks, and High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS). Your work will combine classification, regression, clustering, reinforcement learning and deep learning techniques with digital communications and wireless network concepts to help build secure, trustworthy communication systems for next-generation 5G/6G and satellite networks. Beyond the immediate project work, this fellowship is also a stepping stone — the notification specifically mentions an opportunity to enrol for a PhD programme at NIT Rourkela once you are on board.

Salary

• If you qualify through GATE or CSIR-UGC NET, you will get Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA for the first two years.
• If you don't have a national eligibility test qualification, you will get Rs. 30,000 per month plus HRA for the first two years.
• Hostel accommodation may be provided based on availability, subject to the Institute's rules.
• As this is a project-funded fellowship (not a regular pay-scale post), your salary is fixed by the project's sanctioned budget rather than the 7th CPC pay matrix.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

There is no written test for this position. Selection is based on:

1. Screening of Applications: The Principal Investigator reviews your qualifications and CGPA/GATE score against the eligibility criteria.
2. Online Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online on 13 July 2026 at 11:00 AM.

How to Apply

NIT Rourkela invites applications from Indian citizens with an excellent academic background for this contractual research position. Read the full advertisement carefully before applying, since the engagement is purely temporary/contractual and co-terminus with the project. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Download the Project Fellow application form from the NIT Rourkela SRICCE Career page.
2. Fill in your personal, educational and qualification details.
3. Email your completed application form to bankeyv@nitrkl.ac.in (Prof. Vinay Bankey, Principal Investigator) before the last date.
4. Keep a copy of your GATE/NET scorecard and mark sheets ready for the interview.

For queries, you can also call 8149219260.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 25 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 12 July 2026
• Online Interview Date: 13 July 2026
• Project Duration: Position is co-terminus with the project, expected to run until around June 2028

• Research innovative AI/ML solutions for physical layer security in non-terrestrial networks
• Analyse and design security techniques for satellite, UAV and HAPS-based communications
• Study the trustworthiness of AI/ML models used in wireless and satellite security systems
• Write technical reports and research papers on project findings
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and other project members
• Use MATLAB, C++/Python and related tools for simulation and analysis