CSIR-NCL Project Associate Recruitment 2026 - Advt 842

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune is hiring Project Associates at the SPA, PAT-II, and PAT-I levels for a CSIR-funded project on developing a Hydrogen Fuel Cell E-Tractor. You can apply online through the official CSIR-NCL project recruitment portal. The last date to apply is 17 August 2026. These are temporary, project-linked positions based at CSIR-NCL, Pune under the Chemical Engineering & Process Development (CEPD) division.

CSIR-NCL Project Associate Recruitment 2026 (Advt No. 2026/CSIR-NCL/CEPD/HCP522601/842)

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory is one of the constituent labs of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and has a long track record of applied engineering and materials research out of its Pune campus. It has now opened applications (Advertisement No. 2026/CSIR-NCL/CEPD/HCP522601/842) for filling up Project Associate positions on a CSIR-funded project focused on developing a hydrogen fuel cell powered electric tractor (e-tractor). Applications opened on 7 August 2026 and must be submitted online before the deadline. This project sits under the CEPD division, which works on chemical engineering, process development, energy systems, and applied engineering research at CSIR-NCL.

A hydrogen fuel cell e-tractor project brings together several engineering disciplines — fuel cell stack integration, power electronics, drivetrain design, and vehicle-level system testing — under one roof, which makes this a good opportunity if you want cross-disciplinary, hands-on project experience rather than a narrow lab role. The advertisement covers three engagement levels so applicants at different career stages can find a suitable level to apply for: Project Associate-I (PAT-I) for candidates starting their research career, Project Associate-II (PAT-II) for candidates with some prior research exposure, and Senior Project Associate (SPA) for candidates who already carry more project or research experience.

Because CSIR-NCL runs all of its temporary project recruitment through a single dedicated portal rather than issuing a separate downloadable notification PDF for every advertisement, you will need to register on the portal and open this specific advertisement to see the full details, but the core facts — advertisement number, application window, and how to apply — are confirmed below.

Who Can Apply?

The exact qualification, experience, and age-limit criteria for the SPA, PAT-II, and PAT-I levels are listed inside the specific advertisement (Advt No. 2026/CSIR-NCL/CEPD/HCP522601/842) once you log in to the CSIR-NCL project recruitment portal. CSIR project associate positions on engineering-focused projects typically look for candidates with a B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc./M.Tech in a relevant engineering or applied science discipline, with PAT-II and SPA levels usually requiring some prior research or project experience — please verify the exact requirement for each level on the portal before applying.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Academic details from Class 10/SSC onward are typically required in the online form.
• Details of any additional qualifications such as NET/GATE and your past project or work experience.
• Your photograph and signature in JPG/JPEG format before you start filling the form.
• Any experience certificates relevant to fuel cell, process engineering, or related project work, if you have them.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Based on CSIR-NCL's standard project-hiring process, selection typically involves:

1. Screening of Applications: Based on your online form and uploaded documents.
2. Interview: Conducted online or in person, as intimated by CSIR-NCL to shortlisted candidates. No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview.

How to Apply

1. Go to the CSIR-NCL project recruitment portal at jobs.ncl.res.in.
2. If you are a new user, click New Registration and register with a valid email ID.
3. Verify your email using the activation link sent to your inbox.
4. Log in and open the advertisement for Project Associate Positions (SPA, PAT-II, PAT-I) — Advt No. 2026/CSIR-NCL/CEPD/HCP522601/842.
5. Click Apply and fill in your personal details, academic qualifications, and experience.
6. Upload your photo and signature in JPG/JPEG format.
7. Preview and submit your application before 17 August 2026.

You do not need to send a hard copy of your application to CSIR-NCL.

Important Dates

• Application Start Date: 7 August 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 17 August 2026

• Support design and testing work on the hydrogen fuel cell e-tractor project
• Assist with CAD/CFD modelling and engineering analysis as required by the project
• Help build, test, and troubleshoot fuel cell and drivetrain prototypes
• Record experimental data and maintain accurate project documentation
• Prepare technical reports and updates for the project team
• Coordinate with senior scientists and engineers on day-to-day project tasks
• Follow lab and workshop safety protocols during testing