ARI Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026

About This Job

ARI Pune is hiring 1 Project Associate-I in the Biodiversity and Paleobiology (Fungi) Group. If you have a first-class Master's degree in Botany, Microbiology, Biotechnology or Life Sciences with a qualifying national exam such as NET or GATE, you can apply online. The last date to submit the form is 22 June 2026. The stipend is Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA, and the upper age limit is 50 years.

Agharkar Research Institute Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

MACS - Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has issued Advertisement No. ADVT/RecT/ANRF/03/SP-384/2026-27 for one temporary Project Associate-I post. The role is linked to ANRF-SP-384 under the project Decoding the dark taxa in symbiosis, which studies endolichenic fungi through polyphasic taxonomy and explores their bioprospecting potential for breast cancer therapeutics.

The project is currently listed up to 20 March 2029, but the appointment remains purely contractual and does not give any right to a regular ARI or funding agency post. The work will be under Dr. Rajesh Kumar K.C., Scientist E, with Dr. Virendra Gajbhiye, Scientist E, as Co-PI. This is a strong option for life science candidates who want hands-on research exposure in fungal biodiversity, molecular methods and bioactive compound studies.

Project focus: The selected Project Associate-I will support research on endolichenic fungi using taxonomy, molecular biology and bioprospecting methods. The desirable skill list in the notification points to practical lab and analysis work, including DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, bioinformatics and metabolomics. If you already have exposure to LC-MS, HPLC, anticancer screening or scientific writing, it can strengthen your application during screening because ARI may use desirable qualifications to shortlist candidates when applications are high. Keep supporting proof for these desirable skills ready with your application records.

Who Can Apply?

Essential Qualification

• Master's degree: You need a first-class Master's degree in Botany, Microbiology, Biotechnology or Life Sciences.
• National exam: You must have qualified CSIR/UGC/ICMR including Lectureship (Assistant Professorship), GATE, or another national-level examination conducted by agencies such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MHRD, ICAR, IIT, IISc or IISER.

Desirable Skills

• Molecular techniques: Experience with DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing will help in this project.
• Analysis tools: Familiarity with phylogenetic tools, bioinformatics tools and data analysis is preferred.
• Metabolomics: Exposure to LC-MS, HPLC or bioactive compound screening, especially for anticancer studies, will be useful.
• Research writing: Strong scientific writing and the ability to work independently and with a team are desirable.

Age Limit

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

Salary

• Monthly stipend: Rs. 37,000 per month plus HRA.
• The notification lists the pay as a project stipend, not a regular pay scale.
• HRA will be paid as admissible under the project and institute rules.

Application Fee

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

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

ARI will select candidates through shortlisting and offline interview. The notification does not mention any written exam for this Project Associate-I post.

1. Application screening: ARI may shortlist candidates based on essential qualification, desirable experience and project fit.
2. Shortlist display: The shortlist of candidates for offline interview will be displayed on 24 June 2026.
3. Offline interview: The interview will be held on 29 June 2026 from 10:30 AM onwards.
4. Document verification: Original certificates and uploaded documents may be checked during the selection process.

Interview language: You can choose to appear for the interview in Hindi. No TA will be paid for attending the interview.

How to Apply

1. Go to the ARI job portal at arijob.ourlib.in.
2. Select the Project Associate-I post with Post Code ANRF-03-2026-27-PA-I.
3. Fill in the online application form with your education, exam qualification and project-related experience details.
4. Upload self-attested scanned certificates, a recent passport-size photograph and caste certificate if applicable.
5. If you need to pay the fee, pay Rs. 100 through SBI Collect and attach the payment receipt.
6. Submit the online application before 22 June 2026.
7. Keep a copy of the submitted form and payment receipt for the interview process.

Important Dates

• Online Application Start: 9 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 22 June 2026
• Last Date for Fee Payment: 22 June 2026
• Shortlist Display: 24 June 2026
• Offline Interview: 29 June 2026 at 10:30 AM onwards

• Carry out fungal biodiversity and endolichenic fungi research under the ANRF-SP-384 project
• Perform molecular biology work such as DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing as needed
• Use phylogenetic, bioinformatics and data analysis tools for project work
• Assist with metabolomics-related work such as LC-MS, HPLC or compound screening activities
• Keep clear research records, observations and supporting data for review
• Prepare scientific notes, reports and draft material for project documentation
• Coordinate with the Principal Investigator, Co-PI and research team for project milestones