IIT Madras Project Consultant Recruitment 2026

About This Job

IIT Madras is hiring 1 Project Consultant for the Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems under the Office of IC&SR. If you have a PhD in Electrical Engineering with at least 3 years of leadership experience in silicon photonics technology development, you can apply online. The consultancy pay is Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500 per hour, with a monthly cap of Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,00,000. The last date to apply is 23 June 2026.

IIT Madras Project Consultant Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Indian Institute of Technology Madras has issued Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt.101/2026 dated 9 June 2026 for a temporary Project Consultant post. The role is linked to silicon photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits work at CPPICS, IIT Madras. The project coordinator mentioned in the PDF is Prof. Bijoy Krishna Das from the Department of Electrical Engineering.

This is a purely contract basis post with an initial duration of one year. The engagement may be extended later based on performance, but the notice clearly says the contract period does not create any right to regular appointment at IIT Madras. This opening is best suited for a senior technical expert who has already handled R&D roadmaps, multidisciplinary teams, and silicon photonics development.

The work is not a junior research role. The PDF asks for someone who can guide research strategy, technical reviews, resource planning, industry collaboration, and technology translation. If your experience is mainly hands-on lab work without leadership in silicon photonics programs, read the qualification line carefully before applying.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You need a PhD in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience: You need at least 3 years of leadership experience in silicon photonics technology development.
• Core areas: Your work should cover design, simulation, fabrication, foundry tape-out, and testing activities.
• Leadership background: The PDF asks for experience in managing multidisciplinary technical teams, industry collaborations, R&D projects, technology roadmaps, and mentoring research personnel.
• Citizenship: The general instructions say applicants must be citizens of India. Certain other categories mentioned in the notice need a Government of India eligibility certificate.

Preferred Experience

• Co-packaged optics: Experience in this area will be preferred.
• High-speed optical communications: Relevant work in high-speed optical communication systems will be useful.
• Quantum or microwave photonics: Experience in these fields is also listed as preferred.
• Semiconductor technologies: Related semiconductor technology experience can strengthen your application.

Experience counting matters: the notice says relevant experience gained after the minimum qualifying degree will be considered. The prescribed qualification is the minimum requirement, and IIT Madras can relax qualification or experience requirements only for exceptionally outstanding applicants.

Age Limit

• Age limit: The PDF does not mention a minimum or maximum age for this Project Consultant post.
• Eligibility date: The crucial date for checking eligibility is the closing date of online application, 23 June 2026.

Salary

• Consultancy rate: Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500 per consultancy hour.
• Monthly cap: Maximum Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per month.
• Salary type: Consolidated project consultancy pay.

Structured salary fields use the monthly cap printed in the PDF: minimum Rs. 75,000 and maximum Rs. 1,00,000 per month. The hourly rate is kept separately because the portal needs monthly INR salary values.

Selection Process

IIT Madras will shortlist applicants based on the information submitted in the online application. The Institute may restrict the number of applicants called for the next stage based on qualifications, relevant experience, and academic achievements. The PDF mentions test/interview and document checking, but it does not give a fixed written exam pattern.

1. Shortlisting: IIT Madras will review the online applications and shortlist suitable applicants.
2. Test or Interview: The Institute may decide the mode of screening, test, or interview for selection.
3. Document Verification: You must produce the application printout and supporting documents when called.

Important note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Canvassing in any form can lead to disqualification.

False information can cancel your application. The notice says IIT Madras may verify documents and background details at appointment or during the contract period. If a document or claim is found false later, the service can be terminated.

How to Apply

1. Go to the IIT Madras IC&SR careers portal at icandsr.iitm.ac.in/careers.
2. Open the current openings section and find Project Consultant - Advt.101/2026.
3. Register or sign in with your active email ID.
4. Fill in the online application form carefully because it cannot be edited after submission.
5. Upload or enter the required qualification, experience, and project details as asked in the portal.
6. Submit the application before 23 June 2026.
7. Take a printout after successful online submission and keep it for test, interview, or document verification.

Do not send a hard copy of the application to IIT Madras unless the Institute specifically asks for it later. If you already work in any IIT Madras project, apply through the proper channel or be ready to produce a No Objection Certificate at verification, test, or interview.

Use an active email address because IIT Madras will use email for communication. For technical problems in submitting the form, the PDF lists icsrrecruitment6@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in, icsrrecruitment@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in, and phone support on working days.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 9 June 2026
• Online Application Start: 9 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 23 June 2026
• Test/Interview Date: To be announced to shortlisted applicants

• Provide strategic and technical guidance for silicon photonics and PIC research work
• Guide PIC design, simulation, fabrication, packaging, testing, and system integration activities
• Advise on technology roadmaps, product development strategy, and commercialization opportunities
• Review R&D project execution plans and help teams improve technical delivery
• Mentor technical teams and research personnel working on photonics projects
• Identify emerging opportunities in co-packaged optics, quantum photonics, microwave photonics, and semiconductor technologies