ARI Project Assistant Recruitment 2026

About This Job

Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune is hiring 1 Project Assistant in the Bioenergy Group. If you have a first-class Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology, you can apply online before the deadline. The last date to submit the online application is 22 June 2026. The stipend is Rs. 20,000 per month plus HRA, and the walk-in interview is scheduled for 30 June 2026 at 10:30 AM.

Agharkar Research Institute Project Assistant Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

MACS - Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has released advertisement ADVT/RecT/HTBSIL/04/SP-321/2026-27. The post is under project HTBSIL-SP-321 in the Bioenergy Group for work linked with analysis and characterization of probiotic properties of microbial cultures provided by HTBS. This is a temporary project position, so it should not be treated as a permanent ARI or funding agency post.

Project duration: The notification states that the project period is up to 31 January 2027. The post code is HTBSIL-04-2026-27-PA. The work is based at ARI, Pune, and the selected candidate may also be assigned to another project depending on institutional requirement. Coordinator details: The project lists Dr. P.K. Dhakephalkar as Director-PI, with Dr. Sumit Singh Dagar and Dr. Neelam Kapse as Co-PIs.

Who Can Apply?

Essential Qualification

• Qualification: You need a Bachelor's Degree with 1st Class in Microbiology.
• Subject match: The degree should be directly linked to Microbiology, because the project work is microbiology-focused.

Desirable Qualification and Skills

• Higher qualification: M.Sc. with 1st Class in Microbiology is desirable.
• Experience areas: Experience in anaerobic microbiology, cell line handling, and molecular biology is desirable.
• Interview language: You can choose to appear for the interview in Hindi if needed.

Best fit: This role is stronger for candidates who have practical microbiology lab exposure along with a first-class degree. The essential qualification is the minimum requirement, and ARI may shortlist applicants if many applications are received.

Age Limit

• Maximum age is 50 years.
• Age is counted as of the closing date of the advertisement, which is 22 June 2026.
• Age relaxation: OBC, SC, ST and other eligible categories will get relaxation as per Government of India rules.

Salary

• The Project Assistant will get a monthly stipend of Rs. 20,000.
• HRA: House Rent Allowance will be paid in addition to the stipend as admissible.
• No regular pay scale, grade pay, or permanent post benefit is mentioned for this project role.

Temporary nature: The selected candidate will not get any right to appointment against an ARI post or a funding agency post. The notice also says no TA will be paid for attending the interview.

Application Fee

• General and other non-exempt candidates: Rs. 100
• SC / ST / Divyang / Women candidates: No fee
• Payment mode: Online through SBI Collect
• You must attach the online payment receipt and mention the receipt number in the application form, if fee applies.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Selection will be done through shortlisting and interview. The official notification does not mention a written exam.

1. Online Application Scrutiny: ARI will check whether your application, qualification, documents, and fee receipt are complete.
2. Shortlisting: If many applications are received, ARI may limit the number of candidates called for interview based on qualification, desirable skills, or relevant experience.
3. Walk-in Interview: The interview will be held offline on 30 June 2026 from 10:30 AM onwards.
4. Document Verification: Certificates, caste certificate if applicable, fee receipt, and uploaded documents will be checked during the process.

Interview note: The notification says no TA is admissible for the interview. You should be ready to explain your microbiology background, lab work, and any experience in anaerobic microbiology, cell line handling, or molecular biology.

How to Apply

1. Go to the online application link given in the notification: arijob.ourlib.in.
2. Fill the online application form for Project Assistant under post code HTBSIL-04-2026-27-PA.
3. Upload self-attested scanned certificates, recent passport size photograph, and caste certificate if applicable.
4. If you need to pay the fee, pay Rs. 100 through SBI Collect under Agharkar Research Institute-MACS application fee.
5. Attach the online payment receipt and enter the receipt number in the application form.
6. Submit the form on or before 22 June 2026.
7. Attend the offline walk-in interview on 30 June 2026 at 10:30 AM onwards if called or shortlisted as per ARI process.

Documents to keep ready: Keep scanned certificates, marksheets, photo, fee receipt if applicable, caste certificate if applicable, and proof of desirable experience. Incomplete fee payment or incomplete application can create problems, so check every upload before final submission.

Important Dates

• Online Application Start: 10 June 2026
• Last Date to Submit Online Application: 22 June 2026
• Walk-in Interview Date: 30 June 2026
• Interview Time: 10:30 AM onwards
• Project Period Up To: 31 January 2027

• Assist the Bioenergy Group with microbiology research work under the HTBSIL-SP-321 project
• Prepare and handle microbial cultures as instructed by the project investigators
• Support analysis and characterization of probiotic properties in lab samples
• Maintain experiment records, sample logs, and project documentation
• Help with molecular biology, anaerobic microbiology, or cell line related tasks where assigned
• Follow ARI laboratory safety rules, reporting timelines, and project protocols