Date Posted: October 24, 2026
Institution Name: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar — Research & Development Office
File No.: BE-RnD/725/2026-BE (169633/2026/RnD)
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar has released the IIT Gandhinagar Recruitment 2026 notification inviting applications for a temporary position of Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, under the project titled “DNA Nanotechnology for Biological Systems Programming.” IIT Gandhinagar is a premier Institute of National Importance offering advanced engineering, science, and research programmes. 1 vacancy is open under this recruitment for candidates holding a Postgraduate Degree in Basic Science or a relevant Professional Course, qualified through GATE/NET or other national-level examinations. Eligible candidates can apply online through the Institute’s recruitment portal, with the last date for application submission being October 30, 2026. Full details on eligibility, remuneration, and the application procedure are provided below.
Institution Profile
IIT Gandhinagar offers a unique undergraduate and graduate education experience in India with unmatched innovations in curriculum. We take pride in our student-centric philosophy resulting in a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for students. The institute promotes critical thinking and an appreciation of the interdisciplinary character of knowledge, with an emphasis on the liberal arts, project oriented learning, compulsory courses in design and the life sciences, diversity and globalization.
Employment Type: Temporary, Project-Based
Post Name/Designation
Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering
Project Title: DNA Nanotechnology for Biological Systems Programming
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dhiraj Bhatia, Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering
Total Vacancies
1 (One) post of Junior Research Fellow.
Duration of Appointment: 6 months or project completion date, whichever is earlier.
Required Educational Qualifications
Essential Qualification/Experience:
Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science OR Graduate/Post Graduate Degree in a Professional Course, selected through a process described in any one of the following:
- Scholars who are selected through National Eligibility Tests – CSIR-UGC NET including lectureship (Assistant Professorship) and GATE.
- The selection process through National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments and their Agencies and Institutions such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER, NISER, etc.
The percentage/grade points with respect to the academic qualification will be a minimum 60% or equivalent grade from graduation onwards and 55% or equivalent grade in class 10th and 12th.
Desirable Qualification/Experience:
MSc students in Life Sciences with relevant experience in DNA Nanotechnology (Cell Biology, Microscopy, DNA Nanotechnology).
Age Limit
No specific age limit has been prescribed in the notification.
Candidate Profile
Candidates should hold a relevant postgraduate degree in Basic Science or a professional course, with GATE/NET or equivalent national-level qualification. Candidates with MSc in Life Sciences and relevant experience in Cell Biology, Microscopy, and DNA Nanotechnology are particularly encouraged to apply.
Required Experience
No mandatory minimum years of professional experience have been prescribed; desirable experience includes relevant exposure to DNA Nanotechnology, Cell Biology, and Microscopy for MSc Life Sciences candidates.
Pay Scale/Pay Level (Consolidated Monthly Remuneration including HRA)
| Category | Remuneration |
|---|---|
| GATE/NET or equivalent GoI-qualified candidates | ₹36,000/- per month (including HRA of ₹5,000/- p.m., applicable as per Institute norms) |
| Non-GATE/NET qualified candidates | ₹23,213/- per month (fixed; no HRA admissible) |
House Rent Allowance: ₹5,000/- p.m., for GATE/NET or equivalent GoI-qualified candidates (applicable as per Institute norms).
Application Fee
Not applicable. No application fee has been prescribed for this recruitment.
Selection Process
Merely meeting the minimum eligibility criteria will not guarantee shortlisting and/or appointment. A higher cutoff level may be used. The Institute reserves all rights not to call an applicant for a selection test or not to fill up a position through this round of selection process, without assigning any reason.
Job Description
JRF Position in DNA Nanotechnology for cellular and biological systems programming.
Job Location
Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date of Application Submission | 30.10.2026 |
| Duration of Appointment | 6 months, or project completion date, whichever is earlier |
Apply Mode: Online
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply online through the Institute’s recruitment portal at http://recruitment.iitgn.ac.in/projectstaff/, before the last date of application submission, October 30, 2026.
Application Procedure
- Visit the application link at http://recruitment.iitgn.ac.in/projectstaff/.
- Register/login and fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and qualifying examination details.
- Upload all required supporting documents, including educational qualification certificates and GATE/NET scorecard (if applicable).
- Ensure the complete application is submitted online before the deadline of October 30, 2026.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process as determined by the Institute.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets (Graduation, Post-Graduation, Class 10th and 12th)
- GATE/NET or equivalent national-level qualification certificate/scorecard, if applicable
- Proof of relevant experience in DNA Nanotechnology/Cell Biology/Microscopy, if claimed
- Recent passport-size photograph and valid photo ID proof
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LvCUyZ0R16xZPs7T-Gyyn2LK9fyV6Yxe/view |
| Online Application Portal | http://recruitment.iitgn.ac.in/projectstaff/ |
| Institute Website | https://www.iitgn.ac.in |
| Contact | Prof. Dhiraj Bhatia |
Institute Address
Research & Development Office, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Contact: Prof. Dhiraj Bhatia, Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering | Email: dhiraj.bhatia@iitgn.ac.in
Benefits of Joining IIT Gandhinagar
Joining IIT Gandhinagar as a Junior Research Fellow offers candidates the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in DNA nanotechnology for cellular and biological systems programming, at a premier Institute of National Importance. The position offers a consolidated monthly remuneration of up to ₹36,000/- (including HRA) for GATE/NET-qualified candidates, along with hands-on exposure to advanced techniques in cell biology, microscopy, and DNA nanotechnology under the mentorship of Prof. Dhiraj Bhatia. This short-term engagement offers a valuable research opportunity for life sciences graduates seeking to build expertise in an emerging interdisciplinary field at the intersection of biology and nanotechnology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — IIT Gandhinagar Recruitment 2026
Q1. What is the IIT Gandhinagar Recruitment 2026 notification about?
A. It is a recruitment notification for one Junior Research Fellow post in the Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar, under a project on DNA nanotechnology for biological systems programming.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for IIT Gandhinagar Recruitment 2026?
A. The last date for application submission is October 30, 2026.
Q3. How many vacancies are available under this recruitment?
A. There is 1 (one) vacancy for the post of Junior Research Fellow.
Q4. What is the essential qualification for Junior Research Fellow?
A. Candidates need a Postgraduate Degree in Basic Science or a relevant Professional Course, selected through GATE/NET or other national-level examinations, with a minimum of 60% marks from graduation onwards and 55% in Class 10th and 12th.
Q5. What is the remuneration offered for this position?
A. GATE/NET-qualified candidates receive ₹36,000/- per month (including HRA), while non-GATE/NET qualified candidates receive ₹23,213/- per month (fixed, no HRA).
Q6. How can candidates apply for IIT Gandhinagar Recruitment 2026?
A. Candidates must apply online through http://recruitment.iitgn.ac.in/projectstaff/ before the deadline.
Q7. What is the duration of this appointment?
A. The duration is 6 months or the project completion date, whichever is earlier.
Q8. Is there an application fee for this recruitment?
A. No, no application fee has been prescribed for this recruitment.
Q9. Does meeting the minimum qualification guarantee an interview call?
A. No, merely meeting the minimum eligibility criteria will not guarantee shortlisting and/or appointment; a higher cutoff level may be applied.
Q10. What is desirable experience for this position?
A. MSc students in Life Sciences with relevant experience in DNA Nanotechnology, Cell Biology, and Microscopy are desirable for this role.
The IIT Gandhinagar Recruitment 2026 offers a focused opportunity for life sciences and biotechnology graduates to contribute to advanced research in DNA nanotechnology at a premier Institute of National Importance. With a straightforward online application process and a clear remuneration structure based on GATE/NET qualification, this short-term engagement suits candidates seeking hands-on research experience in an emerging, interdisciplinary biological sciences field. Interested applicants are encouraged to complete their online application well before the October 30, 2026 deadline.