TISS Mandla Research Associate Recruitment 2026

About This Job

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai is hiring one Research Associate for a project studying the financial health and entrepreneurship of aquatic food producers in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. If you are a PhD scholar (near submission or already awarded) in the social sciences, you can apply. The pay is Rs. 40,000 per month for a 6-month engagement. Email your biodata before 10 July 2026.

TISS Mandla Project Research Associate Recruitment 2026

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) — a Deemed University under the Ministry of Education, Government of India — has opened one Research Associate post under its Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (CSE). The advertisement number is CSE/Mandla Project/June 2026. The study looks at the financial health and entrepreneurial opportunities of aquatic food producers in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. You will report to the Project-in-Charge and work closely with the field team. This is a field-heavy research role that needs regular travel to Mandla while you stay based in Mumbai, so it suits candidates finishing their PhD who want real, hands-on rural research experience.

Who Can Apply?

Qualification

• You must be a PhD scholar in the advanced stage of dissertation writing, or one who has already submitted the final dissertation, in the Social Sciences.
• Candidates who have already received their PhD are also encouraged to apply.
• Preferred subjects: Economics, Social Work, Social Entrepreneurship, Sociology, Management, Rural Management or Development Studies.

Desirable Experience

The following work experience will give you an edge:

• Community interaction and household-level surveys in rural areas
• Conducting in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and field observation
• Literature review and writing detailed research reports
• Quantitative data processing, cleaning and analysis
• Transcribing and analysing qualitative data
• Knowledge of software such as Atlas.ti, SPSS, STATA, Python or NVivo

Competencies

• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and a strong team worker
• A clear understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research processes

You must stay in Mumbai or nearby areas during the project, with frequent travel to Mandla, Madhya Pradesh.

Salary

• You will get a consolidated salary of Rs. 40,000 per month.
• The engagement is a fixed term of 6 months (July to December 2026).
• You will report to the Project-in-Charge at the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, TISS.

Application Fee

• There is no application fee. You only need to email your biodata.

Selection Process

1. Biodata Screening: Your emailed biodata is checked against the project's needs.
2. Online Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for an online interview.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.

How to Apply

1. Prepare your updated biodata / CV highlighting your PhD work and relevant research experience.
2. Email it to samapti@tiss.ac.in before the last date.
3. Wait for the shortlisting email — selected candidates are called for an online interview.

The application is by email only — there is no online form or fee.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 30 June 2026
• Last Date to Email Biodata: 10 July 2026
• Interview: To be announced (online)

• Travel regularly to Mandla district for field research
• Identify households and stakeholders in villages for interviews and FGDs
• Collect both quantitative and qualitative data from villages in Mandla
• Clean, process and analyse the collected quantitative data
• Transcribe and analyse the qualitative data from interviews
• Ensure timely delivery of the preliminary analysis
• Write clear and detailed research reports