IIT Gandhinagar JRF & RA-I Recruitment 2026

IIT Gandhinagar is hiring 1 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and 1 Research Associate-I (RA-I) for a sponsored research project in its Chemical Engineering department. If you have a B.Tech/M.Tech/M.Sc with CSIR-UGC NET or GATE (for JRF) or a Ph.D (for RA-I) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or Materials Engineering, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 20 July 2026. Salary ranges from Rs. 45,880 to Rs. 71,290 per month (consolidated, including HRA).

Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar) JRF & RA-I Recruitment 2026 - 2 Posts

The Research & Development Office of Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar) has released Advertisement No. SPON/10446/Advt0261 dated 09 July 2026 for 1 Junior Research Fellow and 1 Research Associate-I position under Prof. Karthik S P in the Chemical Engineering department. Both posts are temporary, project-linked positions tied to a sponsored research grant, not regular institute posts, so the eligibility criteria follow the funding agency's norms rather than standard IIT institute norms. Read the qualification details for your post carefully before applying.

The project is titled "Protein-based Textile Colorants: A Sustainable Alternative to Chemical Textile Dyes". Conventional textile dyeing uses a lot of chemical dyes that pollute water bodies, and this project explores whether proteins engineered in the lab can replace them with a safer, bio-based alternative. Candidates who have already submitted their Ph.D thesis are equally eligible to apply for the RA-I post, so recent thesis submitters should not hold back from applying.

Selected candidates will work on molecular biology, recombinant protein expression, cloning, mutagenesis, and directed evolution approaches to design and build protein variants with tunable optical and binding properties. The role also covers high-throughput screening of these variants, followed by biochemical and biophysical characterization of protein stability, coloration efficiency, and how the proteins interact with textile fabric. You will also work on protein purification, spectroscopy-based characterization, and testing how the dyes perform under different environmental and processing conditions. This is hands-on lab research suited to candidates with a strong background in molecular biology and protein engineering who enjoy bench work as much as data analysis.

Vacancy Breakdown

Who Can Apply?

For Junior Research Fellow (JRF) - Rs. 45,880/month:

• Qualification: B.Tech/M.Tech/M.Sc in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or other allied areas.
• Exam Qualified: You must have cleared CSIR-UGC NET/GATE or an equivalent national-level exam.
• Experience: You need hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA isolation, primer design, mutagenesis PCR, restriction digest, Gibson assembly, gel electrophoresis, design and construction of recombinant vectors, vector transformation, and protein expression and purification.

For Research Associate-I (RA-I) - Rs. 71,290/month:

• Qualification: Ph.D in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or other allied areas. Candidates who have submitted their thesis are equally eligible.
• Experience: The same molecular biology technique experience listed above for JRF is required.
• Desirable: Experience with directed evolution techniques will be an added advantage for the RA-I post.

Note: These positions follow funding agency eligibility norms rather than standard IIT Gandhinagar institute norms, so make sure your qualification and exam scores meet the exact criteria listed above before you apply.

Salary

• The Junior Research Fellow (JRF) gets a consolidated salary of Rs. 45,880 per month, which includes Rs. 8,880 House Rent Allowance (HRA).
• The Research Associate-I (RA-I) gets a consolidated salary of Rs. 71,290 per month, which includes Rs. 13,290 House Rent Allowance (HRA).
• Both amounts are consolidated pay — a single fixed monthly figure that already covers the HRA component, so there is no separate allowance paid on top.
• This is a project position with an initial appointment of 1 year, extendable based on project requirements and your performance.

How to Apply

IIT Gandhinagar accepts applications for all its project staff positions, including this one, through a single online portal. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Go to the IIT Gandhinagar project staff recruitment portal at recruitment.iitgn.ac.in/projectstaff.
2. Register with your basic details and create your applicant profile.
3. Fill in the online application form with your qualification, NET/GATE or Ph.D details, and experience.
4. Upload your CV, certificates, and other supporting documents.
5. Submit the form before the deadline.

For any queries about the position, you can email Prof. Karthik Subramaniam Pushpavanam at kpsubram@iitgn.ac.in.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 09 July 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 20 July 2026

• Design and construct recombinant protein vectors using molecular cloning techniques
• Perform DNA/RNA isolation, primer design, and mutagenesis PCR for protein engineering work
• Carry out protein expression, purification, and biochemical characterization in the lab
• Screen protein variants for tunable optical and binding properties using directed evolution approaches
• Evaluate coloration efficiency and how protein-based dyes interact with textile substrates
• Characterize protein stability and dye performance using spectroscopy-based methods
• Maintain lab records, reagent inventory, and experiment documentation for the project
• Report progress regularly to the Principal Investigator and assist with project documentation