IIT Kharagpur Research Associate Recruitment 2026

IIT Kharagpur Research Associate Recruitment 2026: Overview

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) is engaging a Research Associate for the Department of Mathematics under a sponsored research project led by Prof. Ratna Dutta. The project, titled Lightweight Post-quantum Fully Homomorphic Encryption using Symmetric Algorithms, sits at the meeting point of mathematics, cryptography and computer security. This is a focused research appointment for someone who can work with advanced cryptographic ideas and turn them into rigorous, usable research.

The project title signals a strong emphasis on post-quantum security and fully homomorphic encryption. Your work is likely to involve reading current research, checking mathematical arguments, developing or evaluating constructions and documenting results clearly for the project team. The official advertisement particularly values applied cryptography and IT-security experience, so a research record that connects theory with practical security problems will be useful.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Project appointment: The advertisement labels this as a temporary sponsored-research position. It is linked to the named research project and is not a regular institute post.
• Research level: The institute places a Research Associate at one of its available consolidated-pay levels after considering the selected person's qualification and experience. The notice does not display a rupee amount on the public detail page.
• Academic fit: The role is designed for an experienced researcher who can handle independent technical work while contributing to the principal investigator's wider project plan.
• Domain fit: A background in cryptography, mathematics, computer science or a closely related field matches the advertised project. Evidence of work in applied cryptography or IT security strengthens that fit.
• Research output: The essential criteria place weight on an established research profile, including a qualifying publication route for candidates using the experience-based pathway. Your application should make that record easy for the institute to assess.
• Project supervision: The position is coordinated by Prof. Ratna Dutta. You should expect your research direction, milestones and reporting to follow the requirements of the sponsored project.
• Single-project scope: This notice concerns the Mathematics Research Associate opening shown under reference IIT/SRIC/R/QFE/2026/102. Other posts on the institute's recruitment board belong to separate notices and application windows.

• Study current research on post-quantum and homomorphic encryption
• Develop and analyse mathematical constructions for the sponsored project
• Test cryptographic ideas for correctness, efficiency and security
• Prepare technical notes, research reports and publication drafts
• Present findings and discuss research progress with the project team
• Keep clear records of methods, experiments and research results