Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Contractual / Regular

IIT Madras Research Associate Recruitment 2026

Sourced from Official Government PDF
Sep. 21, 2026
Research Associate - II (Electrical Engineering)

Required Qualification

M.Tech108
Ph.D91
Ms15
★
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Quick Recruitment Snapshot

Key recruitment parameters at a glance before you apply

Vacancies
1 Post
Pay Scale
₹ 61,000/- + 30% HRA Per Month (Total ~₹ 79,300/-)
Age Limit
As per DST / IIT Madras Project Norms
Job Location
Tamil Nadu87Chennai26

Crucial Recruitment Dates

Official schedule & key deadlines

Published

Sep 18, 2026

2

Starts

Sep 18, 2026

3

Deadline

Sep 27, 2026

4

Exam Date

TBA

Application Window18 – 27 Sep 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

• Doctoral / Master's Degree: Ph.D. or MS (by Research) in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, Photonics, Instrumentation Engineering, Data Sciences, or related fields; OR ME/M.Tech with at least 3 years of research, teaching, design, and development experience.
• Publications: At least 1 original research paper published in a Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal.
• Core Domain Knowledge: Deep theoretical and practical foundation in RF signal processing, electro-optics, and microwave photonics concepts.
• Experimental & Hardware Expertise: Extensive benchtop experience designing, assembling, and characterizing high-speed analog optical links; alignment and integration of optoelectronic hardware (narrow-linewidth lasers, electro-optic modulators, high-power photodiodes).
• Test & Automation Skills: System characterization metrics (link gain, noise figure, SFDR, phase noise); proficiency with Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSAs), RF Spectrum Analyzers; test automation via Python, LabVIEW, or PyVISA.

Age Limit & Relaxations

Age limit is governed as per Department of Science and Technology (DST) / IIT Madras project guidelines (typically up to 35–40 years), with applicable relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/Women/PwD candidates as per Government of India norms.

Check Your Age Eligibility

Selection Procedure & Screening Stages

Verified Official Source

Multi-stage interview and rubric-based evaluation procedure.

Application & Research Profile Scrutiny

OnlineQualifying Only

Technical Presentation & Personal Interview

OfflineMerit Scored

Document Verification & Appointment

OfflineQualifying Only

Applications will be screened based on academic credentials, Ph.D. research thesis quality, SCI journal publications, and demonstrated expertise in high-speed analog optical links and microwave photonics. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a technical presentation and interview conducted by the selection committee under Prof. Deepa Venkitesh (Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras).

Selection Criteria & Marking Scheme

Verified Official Source

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

Evaluation Parameter / ComponentMax Marks / WeightageAssessment Criteria & Guidelines
Microwave Photonics & Electro-Optics Research Accomplishments35%Depth of Ph.D./post-doctoral research in RF photonics, high-speed analog optical links, and quality of SCI journal publications
Experimental Benchtop & Optoelectronic Integration Skills30%Hands-on experience in optical bench alignment, narrow-linewidth lasers, Mach-Zehnder modulators, and high-power photodiode integration
High-Frequency RF Characterization & Test Automation20%Proficiency in operating VNAs, OSAs, spectrum analyzers, evaluating SFDR/link gain/noise figure, and programming via Python/LabVIEW/PyVISA
Technical Presentation & Research Vision15%Clarity of technical communication, methodology defense, and alignment with the IIT Madras sponsored research project roadmap

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.

IIT Madras is India's top-ranked engineering institution (NIRF Rank 1). The Department of Electrical Engineering houses world-class research facilities in photonics, optical communications, and high-frequency RF systems. Under Prof. Deepa Venkitesh, the research team focuses on cutting-edge analog optical links, coherent communications, and microwave photonic signal processing. The Research Associate - II works in advanced optics cleanrooms and RF darkrooms, collaborating with doctoral researchers, project engineers, and international industry/government sponsors.

Posting & Transfer Policy

Initial posting criteria, zone preferences, transfer liability.

Contractual appointment under the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (IC&SR) initially for one year, extendable on a yearly basis contingent upon satisfactory research progress, milestones delivery, and project tenure. Stationed on the IIT Madras residential campus in Adyar, Chennai.

Career & Promotion Ladder

Promotion timeline, seniority ladder, pay grade scaling.

Project-linked research tenure that does not lead to permanent absorption. However, post-doctoral and Research Associate appointments at IIT Madras offer exceptional career leverage, opening doors to Assistant Professor faculty positions in IITs, IISERs, and NITs, as well as senior R&D scientist roles in defense, aerospace, and semiconductor photonics companies.
Crucial Application Warnings & Eligibility Traps

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

  • Candidates must have at least one research paper published in a Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal to meet the baseline eligibility criteria.
  • Relevant post-qualification research experience will be evaluated strictly against demonstrated benchtop experimental optics/RF skills; pure simulation-only profiles may face disadvantages.
  • Online application must be completed through the IC&SR portal by 27.09.2026. Hard copies sent by post will not be accepted.
  • Applicants already working on other projects at IIT Madras must submit a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) through proper channels at the time of interview.
  • The post is purely contractual and confers no right or claim for permanent absorption or regular appointment at IIT Madras.

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

  • UR1
Total Vacancies1 Post

Pay Scale & Monthly Remuneration

Consolidated fellowship of ₹ 61,000/- per month plus 30% House Rent Allowance (HRA) amounting to ₹ 18,300/-, bringing the total gross monthly emolument to ₹ 79,300/- per month under IC&SR IIT Madras project appointment rules.

Monthly consolidated fellowship of ₹ 61,000/- plus 30% HRA (total gross monthly pay: ₹ 79,300/-) as per Department of Science and Technology (DST) / IC&SR IIT Madras project guidelines.

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 recruitment portal (icandsr.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php).
  2. Locate the notification under Advertisement No. ICSR/PR/Advt.190/2026 for the post of Research Associate - II (Department of Electrical Engineering).
  3. Register with a valid email address and complete the online application proforma with personal, academic, research publication, and technical project details.
  4. Upload required supporting documents: (a) Ph.D. / M.Tech degree certificates and transcripts, (b) Copies of SCI journal publications, (c) Detailed CV highlighting hands-on experimental optics/RF benchtop experience, (d) Category/caste certificate (if applicable), and (e) Valid government Photo ID.
  5. Submit the application online on or before 27.09.2026. Download and print the submitted application confirmation for reference during interview/verification.

Application Fee & Category Concessions

All candidates are completely exempted from payment of application fees (Nil fee).

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 position provides a consolidated monthly fellowship of ₹ 61,000/- plus 30% HRA (₹ 18,300/- for Chennai), resulting in a total monthly gross pay of ₹ 79,300/- per month as per DST and IC&SR project guidelines.

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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