CUTN Senior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) is hiring 1 Senior Research Fellow (SRF) for a HEFA-CSR funded research project in the Department of Microbiology. If you have an M.Sc. in Life Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or Biotechnology, you can apply by email. The last date to apply is 10 August 2026. You will get a consolidated pay of Rs. 42,000 per month.

Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) Senior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) is recruiting 1 Senior Research Fellow for a research project titled "Surveillance of Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Local Hospitals and Communities of Delta Districts of Tamil Nadu," funded by HEFA-CSR. The initial appointment is for 1 year and can be extended for up to 2 more years based on your performance, taking the total engagement up to 3 years. Selected candidates also become eligible to apply for the regular Ph.D. programme in the Department of Microbiology, subject to meeting the university's eligibility criteria and completing the required selection process.

This position is based in the Bio-nanomaterials and Phage Lab under Principal Investigator Dr. Kaushik Rajaram. The project focuses on tracking how antimicrobial resistance is spreading across hospitals and communities in the Delta districts of Tamil Nadu — a topic of growing public-health importance. If you already have research experience in antimicrobial resistance, phage therapy, or genome sequencing, this is a good opportunity to work on a live, funded research project while keeping the door open to a doctoral programme at CUTN.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: M.Sc. in Life Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Marks: You need a minimum of 65% marks (or equivalent CGPA/CGPI) in your qualifying degree. Candidates with a Ph.D from a recognised institution may also apply.
• Experience: Preferably at least 2 years of experience in an academic or research setting.
• Mandatory test: You must have cleared a national-level eligibility test such as GATE, NET, or an equivalent examination.
• Publication: You must have published at least one research article in a UGC-approved/SCI/Scopus journal.
• Preferred skills: Experience in antimicrobial resistance, phage therapy, NGS, whole genome sequencing, Sanger sequencing, metagenomics, sequencing data analysis, and sample collection/culturing of resistant pathogens is an advantage. You are advised to apply only if you have relevant experience in these areas.

Age Limit

• You should not be older than 32 years as on the application deadline (10 August 2026).
• Age Relaxation: Available as per institutional/government norms for reserved categories.

Salary

• You will get a consolidated pay of Rs. 42,000 per month.
• This is a fellowship for a temporary, project-based position — it does not carry a regular government pay scale.

Selection Process

1. Application Screening: Your CV, publication record, and supporting documents will be reviewed by email.
2. Interview: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted individually by email with interview details.

How to Apply

1. Prepare your updated CV along with copies of supporting documents.
2. Combine them into a single PDF attachment.
3. Email it to rkaushik@acad.cutn.ac.in with the subject line "Advt. No. CUTN/MICRO/KR/HEFA-2025-26/recruitment/1".
4. Submit before 10 August 2026.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 31 July 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 10 August 2026

• Carry out laboratory work related to antimicrobial resistance surveillance
• Collect and process samples from hospitals and communities in the Delta districts
• Analyse sequencing and metagenomics data for the research project
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and research documentation
• Prepare reports, presentations, and manuscripts for publication
• Support the Principal Investigator with day-to-day project activities
• Follow lab safety protocols while handling pathogenic samples