IIT Madras Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026

IIT Madras is hiring 4 Senior Project Scientists at the Silicon Photonics Centre of Excellence (CPPICS) under its Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research. If you have a B.E./B.Tech with 5 years experience, a Master's degree with 3 years experience, or a PhD in Electronics, Electrical or Applied Physics, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 3 June 2026. Salary is Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 1,80,000 per month with a 5% increment every year.

IIT Madras Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026 - 4 Posts

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has released notification ICSR/PR/Advt.86/2026 dated 14 May 2026 for 4 Senior Project Scientist posts at the Silicon Photonics CoE-CPPICS. The role is initially for one year, extendable up to five years based on performance. This is a high-value research leadership opening for experienced photonics, semiconductor and analog/mixed-signal IC professionals who want to lead R&D teams at one of India's top institutes.

Vacancy Breakdown by Team

The 4 Senior Project Scientists will lead one of these teams at the Silicon Photonics CoE:

• PDK and EPDA Team: TCAD-based simulation and SPICE modelling of photonic devices, photonic integrated circuit (PIC) system design, and process-design correlation.
• PIC Design and Simulation Team: Supervise photonic integrated circuit design, optical budgeting, simulation methods, and foundry-ready layouts.
• Packaging and Assembly Team: Lead photonics chip packaging, co-packaged optics design rules, and process integration for prototypes and products.
• Electronics IC Design and Tapeout Team: Lead analog/mixed-signal building blocks for high-speed SerDes, IC design flows, verification, post-silicon validation, and high-speed PCB design.

Who Can Apply?

Qualification (any one of the following)

• Undergraduate in Electronics/Electrical Engineering/Applied Physics or related discipline with 5 years of experience in industry or an equivalent R&D lab.
• Postgraduate in Electronics/Electrical Engineering/Applied Physics or related discipline with 3 years of experience in industry or an equivalent R&D lab.
• PhD in Electronics/Electrical Engineering/Applied Physics or related discipline.

Area of Expertise (Required and Preferred)

• Required: Hands-on experience with SPICE modelling and TCAD simulation, photonics device design modelling, circuit simulations, and PIC & EIC tapeout experience.
• Preferred: Experience in photonic/electronic device or circuit characterisation, and analog/mixed-signal circuit design.
• You must be a citizen of India. Migrants from Pakistan settling in India and subjects of Nepal are also eligible with a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.

Salary

• Monthly pay: Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 1,80,000 per month (commensurate with qualifications and experience).
• 5% annual increment on the monthly pay.
• Posting location: Chennai (IIT Madras campus, 600 036).

Application Fee

• No application fee is mentioned in the notification.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Selection is based on:

1. Shortlisting from online applications based on qualifications, level and relevance of experience higher than the minimum prescribed, and academic achievements.
2. Test / Skill Test / Interview as decided by the Institute. The Institute reserves the right to decide the mode of screening.
3. Document Verification at the time of test or interview. You must bring a printout of the submitted application form.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No correspondence about non-shortlisting will be entertained.

How to Apply

1. Go to the IIT Madras ICSR careers portal at icsrstaff.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php.
2. Find the listing for Advt.86/2026 - Senior Project Scientist and click Apply Now.
3. Register with a valid email ID (single login per advertisement — select all positions you want in one go).
4. Fill in the online application form completely.
5. Upload the required documents.
6. Submit the application before 3 June 2026. Once submitted, the application cannot be edited.
7. Take a printout — you will need it at the time of test/interview/document verification. Do NOT post the hard copy to the Institute.
8. If you already work on any project at IIT Madras, apply through proper channel or carry a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to the interview.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 14 May 2026
• Application Start Date: 13 May 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 3 June 2026
• Test / Interview Date: To be announced

• Lead R&D activities of one team (PDK/EPDA, PIC Design, Packaging & Assembly, or Electronics IC Design & Tapeout) at the Silicon Photonics Centre of Excellence.
• Drive TCAD-based simulation, SPICE modelling and system-level design of photonic integrated circuits.
• Review and validate optical designs, optical budgets, device performance parameters and foundry-ready layouts.
• Manage co-packaged optics design rules and process integration for prototype and product demonstration.
• Guide tapeout activities for analog and mixed-signal building blocks supporting high-speed SerDes for photonics chips.
• Mentor junior team members across IC design flow, verification and post-silicon validation.
• Coordinate with foundries, vendors and industry collaborators for project execution.
• Ensure compliance with project specifications, fabrication requirements and laboratory safety standards.