IITD JRF Optics and Photonics Recruitment 2026

IITD JRF Recruitment 2026: Overview

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) is hiring a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) through its Industrial Research and Development (IRD) Unit for a project at the Optics and Photonics Centre. The project, "Radiation hard high-speed integrated photonic links for space communication" (project code RM00025G), is funded by the Space Applications Centre, ISRO and led by Prof. Awanish Pandey.

In simple words, the team is building light-based chip-level data links that can survive radiation in space — the kind of hardware satellites need to move data fast. This is a contractual project appointment with a consolidated fellowship, not a regular IIT Delhi post. Only Indian nationals can apply.

The post suits engineering and physics graduates who are comfortable with electromagnetics. If you have already worked on photonics, either in simulation or in the lab, you will have an edge, because the notice says such experience will be preferred.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Tenure: The appointment is renewable yearly, subject to periodic performance review, or lasts up to the duration of the project, whichever is earlier. The project runs up to 31 December 2027.
• GATE/NET relaxation: The GATE/NET requirement may be relaxed for meritorious graduates of Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) with a CGPA above 8.00 (80% aggregate marks).
• SC/ST marks relaxation: A 5% relaxation in marks may be given to SC/ST candidates.
• Retired employees: If a retired or superannuated government employee is selected, the pay is fixed as per the prevailing IRD norms.
• Shortlisting: IIT Delhi may set higher criteria for shortlisting than the advertised qualification. The shortlist and online interview details are posted on the IRD shortlist page, and only shortlisted candidates are called for the online interview.

Application Submission Notes

Download Form No. IRD/REC-4 from the IRD website (ird.iitd.ac.in/rec), fill it in with your marks or division and work experience details, and email it to Prof. Awanish Pandey at opcawanish@iitd.ac.in. Write the advertisement number IITD/IRD/299/2026 in the email subject line. Emails are accepted until 5:00 PM on the closing day.

For any doubt about eligibility, you can write to the same email address before applying.