Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
Contractual / Regular

CSIR NEERI Project Associate Recruitment 2026

Sourced from Official Government PDF
Oct. 22, 2026
Project Associate-I (PAT-I)

Required Qualification

Graduate158
Postgraduate112
M.Sc66
★
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Quick Recruitment Snapshot

Key recruitment parameters at a glance before you apply

Vacancies
2 Posts
Pay Scale
₹25,000 to ₹31,000 + HRA
Age Limit
Maximum 35 Years (as on 29.10.2026)
Job Location
Maharashtra23Nagpur1

Crucial Recruitment Dates

Official schedule & key deadlines

Published

Oct 22, 2026

2

Starts

Oct 22, 2026

3

Deadline

Oct 29, 2026

4

Exam Date

TBA

Application Window22 – 29 Oct 2026
Exam / Test DateTo Be Announced

Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications

Who is eligible to apply for this recruitment? Check essential educational qualifications, branch/stream criteria, and age limits.

Educational Qualification

Essential Qualification: M.Sc. or Integrated Masters degree in Environmental Science, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry from a recognized University.

Desirable Job Requirements:

  • Knowledge of algal sequestration of CO2.
  • Hands-on experience or understanding of photo-bioreactor design and operation.
  • Technical report writing and scientific article preparation.
  • Proficiency in R-statistics or Python for experimental data analysis.

Age Limit & Relaxations

The upper age limit is 35 years reckoned as on the last date of receipt of applications (29.10.2026). Standard age relaxations for SC, ST, OBC, Women, and PwD candidates apply in accordance with Government of India and CSIR norms.

Check Your Age Eligibility

Selection Procedure & Screening Stages

Verified Official Source

Multi-stage interview and rubric-based evaluation procedure.

Application Scrutiny & Screening

OnlineQualifying Only

Personal Interview (MS Teams / Skype)

OnlineMerit Scored

Applications received through the online recruitment portal will be scrutinized by the Screening Committee based on essential qualifications, academic excellence, and project-specific desirable criteria. If a large number of applications are received, higher screening benchmarks will be adopted. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview via MS Teams or Skype. Final selection is based on candidate performance during the online interview.

Selection Criteria & Marking Scheme

Verified Official Source

Official weightage breakdown, qualification scoring, and interview evaluation criteria.

Evaluation ComponentMax Marks / Weightage
Evaluation ComponentM.Sc. or Integrated Masters in Environmental Science, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry with solid academic fundamentals
Evaluation ComponentValid qualification in CSIR-UGC NET (LS/JRF), ICAR/ICMR NET, or GATE in relevant biological/environmental science disciplines
Evaluation ComponentDemonstrated knowledge of algal CO2 sequestration, microalgal biomass production, and photobioreactor design/operation
Evaluation ComponentTechnical reporting and manuscript preparation capabilities, hands-on experience in R-statistics or Python for data analysis
Evaluation ComponentConceptual understanding, research aptitude, scientific communication, and suitability for project GAP-3103 objectives

Aspirant Ground Reality & Career Trajectory

Verified Official Source

Practical service rules, posting locations, transfer policy, and promotion ladder curated from official gazettes.

Work Culture & Environment

Office/fieldwork balance, duties, organizational environment.

The selected Project Associate-I will be stationed at CSIR-NEERI Nagpur under project GAP-3103 ('To develop a CO2-bio refinery by carbon capture from flue gas through medium large scale microbial biomass production as feedstock for biofuels and value added products'). Daily responsibilities include setting up and maintaining laboratory- and pilot-scale photobioreactors, optimizing algal carbon capture parameters, harvesting biomass for biofuel conversion, conducting biochemical assays, and analyzing experimental data using statistical tools (Python/R).

Posting & Transfer Policy

Initial posting criteria, zone preferences, transfer liability.

The engagement is purely temporary and co-terminus with project GAP-3103 at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur. Initial tenure is offered for the funded project period, extendable based on periodic performance reviews and fund availability. Under CSIR OM No. 5-1(342)/2017-PD guidelines, cumulative project staff service across CSIR institutes cannot exceed six or seven years.

Career & Promotion Ladder

Promotion timeline, seniority ladder, pay grade scaling.

Project Associate-I appointments are contractual. High-performing researchers gaining peer-reviewed research publications and specialized bioprocess engineering experience may be elevated to Project Associate-II after completing two years of relevant R&D experience, or pursue institutional Ph.D. registration via AcSIR subject to meeting admission criteria.
Crucial Application Warnings & Eligibility Traps

Avoid common application rejection triggers, photo/signature guidelines, and certificate validity windows.

  • Candidates must possess the declared essential qualification degree (at least a provisional certificate) on or before 29.10.2026. Result-awaited, final semester appearing, and Ph.D. submitted candidates are strictly ineligible to apply or appear for the interview.
  • Online applications must be submitted by 29.10.2026 via the CSIR-NEERI portal. No postal hard copies are required, but original certificates must be produced at the time of pre-appointment verification.
  • Academic dissertation, thesis, or internship work completed during the Master's degree will not be reckoned as post-qualification research experience.
  • The position is temporary and co-terminus with project GAP-3103; it confers no claim or right, implicit or explicit, for absorption or regularization against permanent CSIR/CSIR-NEERI posts.

Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown & Pay Scale

Detailed post distribution across UR, OBC, EWS, SC, ST quotas and 7th CPC Pay Matrix / Monthly Stipend.

Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution

  • Project Associate-I (Unreserved / Open)2
Total Vacancies2 Posts

Pay Scale & Monthly Remuneration

Selected Project Associate-I personnel receive monthly consolidated remuneration of ₹31,000/- + HRA (with valid NET/GATE) or ₹25,000/- + HRA (without NET/GATE). HRA is admissible as per institutional rules.

(a) ₹31,000/- + HRA per month for candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET (Lectureship/Assistant Professorship) or GATE, or National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments (DBT/DST or equivalent agencies); (b) ₹25,000/- + HRA per month for others who do not fall under (a).

How to Apply Online Step-by-Step?

Follow this verified step-by-step application procedure on the official recruitment portal.

Application Procedure

  1. Visit the official CSIR-NEERI recruitment portal at recruitment.neeri.res.in or navigate via the careers section on neeri.res.in.
  2. Select Advertisement No. RECRUIT_SD_10A_CRIAD_22102026 for engagement of Project Staff under project GAP-3103.
  3. Fill out the online application form with personal details, educational qualifications (M.Sc./Integrated Masters), NET/GATE examination credentials, and technical skills (algal sequestration, bioreactor design, R/Python).
  4. Upload scanned copies of required documents including proof of date of birth (10th marksheet), educational certificates, category certificate (if applicable), and NET/GATE scorecard.
  5. Verify the submitted details and finalize submission on or before 29.10.2026. No application fee is required. Download and save the submitted application confirmation for future reference.

Application Fee & Category Concessions

Candidates are not required to pay any application fee (Nil / Free for all candidates).

Official Notification & Portal Verification

Direct links to the authorized government portal, official notification PDF, and career portal.

Verified Official Domain
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Frequently Asked Questions & Crucial Aspirant Queries

5 Queries Resolved

Clear, verified answers to top eligibility, exam format, salary calculation, and application queries for this notification.

No, NET or GATE is not mandatory. Candidates with an M.Sc. in Environmental Science, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry without NET/GATE are eligible and receive ₹25,000/- + HRA per month. Candidates with CSIR-UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET or GATE receive ₹31,000/- + HRA per month.

Sarkari Job Khojo is an independent information service and job discovery platform. All recruitment insights, syllabi, previous year exam cutoffs, and selection stages are compiled from official government notifications, gazettes, and recruitment portals. We are not affiliated with, authorized by, or an official representative of any government agency or recruitment board. Always verify details in the official advertisement PDF before applying.

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