Junior Research Fellow in NEMS Switches for Ultra-Low-Power Computing, IIPE Visakhapatnam (ANRF Project)
Job Description
This JRF in MEMS and NEMS at IIPE Visakhapatnam develops contact materials for energy-efficient nano switches. It suits a mechanical or materials graduate with GATE. The closing date is now 6 November 2026.
At a glance
- Post: Junior Research Fellow (JRF), one post
- Where: Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Visakhapatnam
- Principal Investigator: Dr Deepak Kumar, Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Funded by: ANRF (ANRF/ECRG/2025/000611/ENS, dated 4 June 2026)
- Fellowship: ₹37,000 a month, plus HRA of ₹7,400
- Duration: 12 months to start, extendable within the 36-month project
- Apply by: 6 November 2026 (extended), by email
The project is titled “Advancing Ultra-Low-Power Computing: A Disruptive Integrated Mechanics Paradigm for Energy-Efficient NEMS switches”. The advertisement form gives 15 October 2026 as the deadline. The IIPE careers page says the date is extended until 6 November 2026.
About the NEMS switches JRF at IIPE
- Develop advanced contact materials for MEMS and NEMS switches
- Characterise materials with AFM, SEM, EDS and TEM
- Use basic electronics to test devices and analyse results
- Analyse data, and write reports, papers and presentations
Why this role matters
Switches that leak no current could cut the power used by chips. The hard part is a contact that does not stick or wear out. This project tackles that, and the skills fit both academic labs and chip-related industry.
Eligibility
- M.Tech./M.E./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or a closely related subject, with GATE
- Or B.Tech./B.E./B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with GATE
- Desirable: experience in thin-film deposition
- Age limit and relaxation: as per Government of India norms
Shortlisting is on merit and project need. The PI tells shortlisted candidates the interview date. The interview may be online. No TA/DA is paid, and you arrange your own stay in Visakhapatnam.
Pay and duration
- ₹37,000 a month
- HRA of ₹7,400 a month
- First appointment for 12 months, extended on performance
- The project runs for 36 months from 4 June 2026
How to apply
Fill in the JRF application form (PDF) from the IIPE careers page. Email a scan of it with self-attested certificates to the PI. Use a subject line in the form “ANRF – JRF – your name”. The ad prints the PI’s email as “dkumar@iipe.a.in”. That looks like a typo: his IIPE faculty page lists dkumar@iipe.ac.in. Read the official advertisement (PDF) and its annexures first.
Key dates
- Original deadline: 15 October 2026
- Extended deadline: 6 November 2026
- Interview: date sent to shortlisted candidates
Please read the official IIPE advertisement before applying, and browse more Junior Research Fellow jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam
Official advertisement: iipe.ac.in
How to prepare for this application
- Know how MEMS/NEMS switches fail: stiction, contact wear, welding and contact resistance drift.
- Revise contact mechanics: Hertz contact, adhesion and how surface roughness changes real contact area.
- Show thin-film skills: sputtering or e-beam deposition, and how you measured film thickness and quality.
- Prepare to discuss AFM and SEM: what each tells you, and one image you took and explained.
- Read the PI's work: Dr Deepak Kumar works on nanoscale tribology. Use our Find a supervisor page to compare labs.
About IIPE Visakhapatnam
The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy was set up in 2016 by the Government of India. It is an Institute of National Importance. Its campus is at Vangali, Sabbavaram, near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
