Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research
Contractual / Regular

IIT Madras Project Scientist Recruitment 2026

Sourced from Official Government PDF
Sep. 29, 2026
Project Scientist-I (Non-Medical)

Required Qualification

Postgraduate250
M.Sc120
M.Tech100
★
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Quick Recruitment Snapshot

Key recruitment parameters at a glance before you apply

Vacancies
02
Pay Scale
₹72,800 per month (₹56,000 + 30% HRA)
Age Limit
Up to 35 Years (as on 12.10.2026)
Job Location
Tamil Nadu37Chennai21

Crucial Recruitment Dates

Official schedule & key deadlines

Published

Sep 28, 2026

2

Starts

Sep 28, 2026

3

Deadline

Oct 12, 2026

4

Exam Date

TBA

Application Window28 Sep – 12 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 Educational Qualification:
• First-class Post Graduate (PG) degree (including Integrated PG) in relevant discipline of Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Medical Sciences, or Ph.D.
OR
• Second-class PG degree (including Integrated PG), with Ph.D.
Preferred Experience & Skills:
• Sample collection, archiving, and sample preparation of bio-fluids.
• Benchwork for development and optimisation of isothermal nucleic acid testing based on padlock probing.
• Biorepository management and clinical sample validation.
• Experience acting as a liaison between ICMR-NIRT and IIT Madras for sample logistics and handling.

Age Limit & Relaxations

Upper age limit is up to 35 years as on the closing date of application (12.10.2026). Age relaxation is applicable at the discretion of the Institute for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories in accordance with Government of India norms.

Check Your Age Eligibility

Selection Procedure & Screening Stages

Verified Official Source

Multi-stage interview and rubric-based evaluation procedure.

Application Screening & Shortlisting

OnlineQualifying Only

Technical Interview / Skill Assessment

OfflineMerit Scored

Document Verification

OfflineQualifying Only

The selection will be conducted through a multi-stage evaluation process:
1. Screening & Shortlisting: Applications received online will be scrutinized against prescribed educational qualifications, academic achievements, and relevance of post-qualification laboratory experience. The Institute reserves the right to restrict the number of candidates shortlisted for interview to a reasonable limit.
2. Written/Skill Test & Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal interview / technical presentation before the selection committee to assess technical competence in molecular biology, isothermal nucleic acid amplification (padlock probing/RCA), and sample handling.
3. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must produce original degrees, mark sheets, experience certificates, NOC (if currently working in IITM projects), and identity proofs.

Selection Criteria & Marking Scheme

Verified Official Source

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

Evaluation Parameter / ComponentMax Marks / WeightageAssessment Criteria & Guidelines
Academic Credentials & PG/PhD Specialization30 MarksEvaluation of postgraduate degree, doctoral research quality, publications, and relevant coursework in biotechnology, molecular biology, or medical sciences.
Domain Technical Expertise & Research Benchwork35 MarksDemonstrated hands-on experience in isothermal nucleic acid testing, padlock probing, rolling circle amplification (RCA), bio-fluids handling, and sample archiving.
Project Liaison & ICMR-NIRT Operational Competence20 MarksUnderstanding of clinical sample logistics, biorepository maintenance, sample validation, and coordination between IIT Madras and ICMR-NIRT.
Personal Interview & Viva Voce15 MarksPerformance in personal technical interview, clarity of scientific communication, and problem-solving aptitude.

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.

Project Scientists at the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology (MST), IIT Madras work in an advanced translational research setting. In this ICMR-sponsored Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) project in collaboration with ICMR-NIRT, the role requires meticulous laboratory benchwork, protocol optimization for isothermal nucleic acid diagnostics (padlock probes), bio-fluid processing, and active coordination with clinical teams. The atmosphere is academic, fast-paced, and research-driven with high publishing potential.

Posting & Transfer Policy

Initial posting criteria, zone preferences, transfer liability.

Stationed at the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, IIT Madras Campus, Chennai. Appointment is purely temporary and on a contract basis initially for 1 year, extendable on an annual basis subject to satisfactory individual performance and project fund continuity. Contract completion does not confer any claim or right to permanent absorption or regularization at IIT Madras.

Career & Promotion Ladder

Promotion timeline, seniority ladder, pay grade scaling.

The post is bound to the specific tenure of the ICMR project. While there is no automatic cadre promotion ladder as in permanent central civil service, exceptional performance and tenure experience qualify candidates for higher project roles such as Project Scientist-II (₹67,000 + HRA) or Project Scientist-III, as well as providing strong credentials for subsequent permanent faculty or scientist recruitment in national institutes.
Crucial Application Warnings & Eligibility Traps

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

  • The appointment is purely contractual for 1 year and confers no right whatsoever for regularization, absorption, or permanent absorption at IIT Madras.
  • Candidates already working in any project at IIT Madras must apply through proper channel and produce a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of document verification/interview.
  • Single application policy: The online portal accepts only one submission per registered email ID for this advertisement number; do not register multiple times as duplicate applications will lead to rejection.
  • Hard copies of the application form should NOT be mailed or sent to the Institute; applicants only need to bring the printed copy when called for interview/test.
  • All official communications regarding shortlisting, tests, and interviews are conducted exclusively via email; ensure the registered email address is active and accurate.

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

  • Unreserved / Open2
Total Vacancies02

Pay Scale & Monthly Remuneration

Consolidated pay of ₹56,000/- per month plus 30% HRA (₹16,800/-), resulting in total monthly emoluments of ₹72,800/-. No other allowances are admissible.

Consolidated monthly remuneration of ₹56,000/- plus 30% HRA (₹16,800/-) totaling ₹72,800/- per month. Contract tenure is initially for one year, extendable based on performance and project duration under the ICMR-sponsored CAR project.

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 IC&SR IIT Madras career portal at https://icandsr.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php.
  2. Locate Advertisement Number ICSR/PR/Advt.202/2026 dated 28/09/2026 for the post of Project Scientist-I (Non-Medical).
  3. Register with a valid active email ID and complete the application form with personal, academic, and research experience details.
  4. Select the designated post and submit the application online before the closing deadline of 12.10.2026. Note that applications cannot be edited or reverted once submitted.
  5. Download and print a copy of the submitted application form for submission during document verification / test / interview. Do not send physical hard copies to the Institute.

Application Fee & Category Concessions

No application fee is mentioned in the official notification. Candidates can apply online free of cost.

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.

The selected candidate receives a consolidated pay of ₹56,000/- plus 30% HRA (₹16,800/-), totaling ₹72,800/- per month. No additional allowances are applicable.

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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