SPU Research and Field Investigator Recruitment 2026

About This Job

Sardar Patel University (SPU) is hiring 3 project staff posts for an ICSSR-sponsored Social Work research project in Gujarat. The posts are Research Assistant and Field Investigator, and candidates with a Social Science background can apply offline. The last date to submit the hard-copy application is 15 July 2026. Salary is Rs. 37,000 per month for Research Assistant and Rs. 20,000 per month for Field Investigator.

Sardar Patel University Project Staff Recruitment 2026 - 3 Posts

Sardar Patel University (SPU), Vallabh Vidyanagar, has released a project recruitment notice for temporary Research Assistant and Field Investigator positions in the Department of Social Work. The recruitment is for the project titled Cultural Heritage, Art, and Oral Traditions among the Siddi Community of Gujarat: An Ethnographic Study, sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Government of India, New Delhi.

The project is led by Prof. (Dr.) Shivani D. Mishra from the Department of Social Work. These are purely contractual project posts for 10 months, so this opportunity is suitable for candidates who want hands-on research exposure in social science fieldwork, ethnography, community study, and project documentation.

The project title clearly points to cultural heritage, art, oral traditions, and the Siddi community of Gujarat. That means the work may involve careful field interaction, respectful community engagement, interview notes, basic research organisation, and coordination with the university team. If you have handled Social Science fieldwork, dissertation research, surveys, oral history notes, or community-based data collection, mention it clearly in your application documents. SPU also says only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email, so use an active email ID and keep original documents ready for verification.

Vacancy Breakdown

• Research Assistant: 1 post, 10-month duration, consolidated pay of Rs. 37,000 per month
• Field Investigator: 2 posts, 10-month duration, consolidated pay of Rs. 20,000 per month

Who Can Apply?

Research Assistant

• Qualification: You need a Post Graduate degree in any Social Science discipline with at least 55% marks.
• Preference: Candidates with NET, M.Phil, or Ph.D. will get preference.
• Suitable background: Social Work, Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, or related Social Science subjects can be relevant if they meet the notice conditions.

Field Investigator

• Qualification: You need a Graduate degree in a Social Science discipline with at least 55% marks.
• Preference: Candidates with a four-year graduation programme will get preference.
• Field suitability: The work is linked to an ethnographic study, so comfort with community visits, interviews, field notes, and data collection will help.

Age Limit

• Age limit: The official notification does not mention a minimum or maximum age limit.
• Eligibility focus: Selection will depend on the listed educational qualification, project requirement, and shortlisting by the university.

Salary

• Research Assistant: Consolidated pay of Rs. 37,000 per month.
• Field Investigator: Consolidated pay of Rs. 20,000 per month.
• Duration: Both posts are for 10 months under the ICSSR-sponsored project.
• Allowances: The notice says no TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview or joining the position.

Application Fee

• Application fee: The notification does not mention any application fee.
• Payment mode: No fee payment step is given in the notice.

Selection Process (No Written Exam Mentioned)

SPU will shortlist candidates based on project needs, qualification, and submitted documents. Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee an interview call, so you should present your marks, research experience, and relevant documents clearly.

1. Application Screening: SPU will check the hard-copy applications, self-attested mark sheets, experience certificates, and other required documents.
2. Shortlisting: Only shortlisted candidates will be informed through email.
3. Interview: The interview may be held offline, and the date/details will be shared by email after the application deadline.
4. Document Verification: You must bring original certificates and documents for verification at the interview.

The appointment is temporary and project-based. It does not give any right to a regular or permanent appointment at Sardar Patel University.

How to Apply

1. Download or collect the application form from the SPU recruitment section at spuvvn.edu.
2. Fill the application form and sign it properly.
3. Attach self-attested mark sheets for all semesters, relevant experience certificates, and other necessary documents.
4. Write Project Code: 30153 on the envelope.
5. Also write the subject line Application for the Post of Research Assistant or Field Investigator on the envelope.
6. Send the hard copy to the Head, Department of Social Work, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar.
7. Make sure the application reaches on or before 15 July 2026.

Late applications will not be considered. Keep a copy of your filled form and documents for your own record before sending the hard copy.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 20 June 2026
• Application Start: 20 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 15 July 2026
• Interview Date: To be announced by email after the deadline

• Collect field data for the ICSSR-sponsored ethnographic study
• Assist with interviews, community visits, and oral tradition documentation
• Prepare field notes and organise research material for the project team
• Support literature review, data compilation, and project reporting work
• Coordinate with community members and university research staff
• Maintain project files, consent records, and supporting documents carefully
• Report field progress to the Principal Investigator and Department of Social Work