IIT Madras Assistant Professor 2026 — 40 Vacancies

Indian Institute of Technology Madras is recruiting approximately 40 Assistant Professors in Grade I and Grade II through a rolling faculty advertisement. You need a PhD, First Class or equivalent in the preceding degree, an appropriate specialisation and a consistently strong academic record. Applications remain open through the online faculty portal until 15 October 2026.

IIT Madras Assistant Professor Recruitment 2026 - About 40 Posts

Rolling Advertisement No. IITM/R/1/2026 dated 27 February 2026 covers faculty needs across 18 departments and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. IIT Madras will assess applications periodically according to departmental needs, so a suitable candidate does not have to wait until the closing date to submit the form.

The advertisement covers Assistant Professor Grade II for applicants with less than three years of post-PhD experience and Assistant Professor Grade I for applicants with at least three years. The area being hired in each department may change during the rolling cycle, and recruitment may pause in an area once the Institute has filled enough positions.

Vacancy Breakdown

IIT Madras expects about 40 vacancies, although the number may change. The Ministry of Education reservation policy applies: SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC-NCL 27% and EWS 10%, along with the rules for Persons with Disabilities. Unfilled vacancies from earlier post-CEI Act 2019 recruitments may also be added.

• Aerospace Engineering
• Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Design
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Management Studies
• Medical Sciences and Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Physics
• School of Interdisciplinary Studies

A single online application can cover multiple departments and positions. Select the relevant options in the portal after checking the current specialisation list in Annexure 1.

Who Can Apply?

Academic Qualification

• Doctoral degree: PhD in an appropriate area or branch.
• Preceding degree: First Class or equivalent.
• Academic record: Consistently good performance throughout.
• Specialisation: Must fit the relevant department's current requirement, unless IIT Madras considers an exceptionally strong applicant in another suitable area.

Experience for Grade II

You may be considered for Assistant Professor Grade II with less than three years of post-PhD industrial, research or teaching experience. After completing one year of experience, a Grade II appointee moves to Academic Pay Level 11; later placement in Grade I depends on internal performance assessment and the experience requirement.

Experience for Grade I

You may be considered for Assistant Professor Grade I with at least three years of post-PhD industrial, research or teaching experience. Qualification and experience are counted on the date you submit the application.

Permanent faculty positions are open to Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India. Foreign nationals may be appointed for a fixed period on contract, subject to the applicable political and security clearances. IIT Madras PhD graduates must show independent, complementary research and at least three years of experience outside IIT Madras.

Age Limit

• General condition: You should not have completed 36 years as on 31 December 2026.
• Relaxation: Available for OBC, SC, ST, PwD and women candidates.

The practical upper limit is under 36 years on the reference date. The advertisement does not publish the number of relaxed years for each group, so rely on IIT Madras instructions for your category rather than assuming a figure.

Salary

• Assistant Professor Grade II: Academic Pay Level 10, starting basic pay Rs. 70,900 at Cell 8.
• Assistant Professor Grade I: Academic Pay Level 12, starting basic pay Rs. 1,01,500 at Cell 1.
• After three years in Grade I: Academic Pay Level 13A1, Rs. 1,31,400-2,04,700.

Approximate total monthly pay at the minimum is Rs. 1,71,300 for Grade II and Rs. 2,29,400 for Grade I when House Rent Allowance is included. Without House Rent Allowance, the corresponding approximate totals are Rs. 1,50,000 and Rs. 1,99,000.

Faculty benefits include DA, HRA, transport and telephone allowances, LTC, Children Education Allowance and NPS contribution under the applicable rules. IIT Madras also describes relocation support, research initiation and start-up grants, professional-development support, accommodation subject to availability, and medical cover.

Selection Process

1. Periodic screening: Departments assess applications according to current area and staffing needs.
2. Shortlisting: IIT Madras may restrict the interview pool using qualifications, experience and academic achievements above the minimum.
3. Interview: Prima facie suitable candidates may be called before the Selection Committee.
4. Final decision: The Institute may fill, defer or leave any advertised post unfilled.

No written examination or marks pattern is announced. An interview call only means that the candidate is being considered with others; it does not guarantee selection or acceptance of requested terms.

How to Apply

1. Open the IIT Madras faculty application portal and read the rolling advertisement and department-wise Annexure 1.
2. Create or access your applicant account and select the relevant Grade I/Grade II position and department options.
3. Complete the online application and prepare a detailed Academic Profile in PDF format.
4. Include your academic CV, teaching plan, research plan, publication details, three best papers with contribution notes, awards, patents, research guidance, sponsored projects, professional activities and institutional-service roles.
5. Upload scanned key degree certificates and every other file required in Sections 6 and 7 of the portal.
6. Upload the scanned copy of your signed application and submit it by 15 October 2026.

Write NR against any Academic Profile item that is not relevant; incomplete applications will not move forward. Government, semi-government, PSU, university and educational-institution employees should apply through their employer or upload a No Objection Certificate at the interview if the proper-channel forwarding is delayed.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 27 February 2026
• Rolling Applications Open: 27 February 2026
• Last Date in This Rolling Cycle: 15 October 2026
• Screening and Interviews: Periodically, according to department requirements

IIT Madras describes this as a rolling advertisement, but it also sets 15 October 2026 as the final acceptance date for this cycle. Apply when your profile is ready instead of waiting until the last day, because departments may review suitable applications periodically.

• Teach core and specialised courses aligned with the selected IIT Madras department
• Build an independent, high-quality research programme in the relevant area
• Publish significant research and communicate each contribution clearly
• Guide doctoral and master's research scholars as an authorised faculty supervisor
• Develop sponsored research, consulting and industry-collaboration projects
• Contribute to curriculum development, student support and institution-building roles
• Participate in interdisciplinary teaching and research where the academic area overlaps