JRF and Research Associate Posts in Quantum AI for Space Weather (ASTRA-Q, National Quantum Mission), Led by IIT Indore

Job Description

IIT Indore is leading ASTRA-Q, a National Quantum Mission project that applies quantum artificial intelligence to astronomical and space weather tracking, and is recruiting nine JRFs and three research associates across six institutions. This is one of the larger multi-post quantum computing calls in India this month.

At a glance

• Positions: Junior Research Fellow (9), Research Associate Provisional (1), Research Associate II (2)
• Where: IIT Indore (3 JRF, 1 RA Provisional, 1 RA-II); University of Calcutta (2 JRF); TCG CREST, Kolkata (1 RA-II); SRM University, Chennai (1 JRF); Sharda University, Noida (2 JRF); Adamas University, Kolkata (1 JRF)
• Funding: DST National Quantum Mission (DST-NQM)
• Pay: JRF Rs 37,000 + HRA; RA Provisional Rs 45,000 + HRA; Project Scientist-I Rs 56,000 + HRA; RA-II Rs 61,000 + HRA
• Project duration: 3 years
• Apply by: 20 September 2026
• Advertisement: IITI/RND/PRJ/NQM/2026-27/001, dated 9 September 2026

Space weather, driven by solar flares and eruptions, can disrupt satellites, communications and power grids, and forecasting it means finding patterns in large, noisy datasets. Quantum machine learning and hybrid quantum-classical models are being explored for such tasks, and this project brings them to astronomy and space weather data.

About the ASTRA-Q posts

• Junior Research Fellow: desirable 1–2 years of experience, Python, quantum computing frameworks (Qiskit or PennyLane) and machine or deep learning
• Research Associate Provisional: desirable 1–2 years of experience, Python, Qiskit or PennyLane, machine and deep learning, and domain knowledge of space weather or astrophysics
• Project Scientist-I or Research Associate II: desirable 1+ years in quantum algorithms, hybrid quantum-classical models and quantum hardware (with machine learning exposure for RA-II)

The notice’s vacancy list names JRF, RA Provisional and RA-II posts, while its details section also describes a Project Scientist-I option; it says candidates may be appointed to any one of the positions listed, depending on qualifications, experience and suitability.

Eligibility

• JRF: a postgraduate degree in basic science, or a graduate or postgraduate degree in a professional course, selected through CSIR-UGC NET (including lectureship) or GATE, or national-level exams of central agencies such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER or NISER
• RA Provisional: Ph.D. thesis submitted
• Project Scientist-I: Ph.D. with 1 year of experience, or a Master’s in Engineering or Technology
• RA-II: Ph.D. with 1 year of experience

No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview, and only shortlisted candidates are called. Selected candidates will be informed by email.

Pay and duration

• JRF: Rs 37,000 plus HRA
• RA Provisional: Rs 45,000 plus HRA
• Project Scientist-I: Rs 56,000 plus HRA
• RA-II: Rs 61,000 plus HRA
• The project runs for three years

How to apply

Compile a detailed CV and all supporting documents (degree certificates, mark sheets, GATE qualifying certificate where applicable, and proof of date of birth) into a single PDF, and submit it through the project’s Google Form (also reachable from the QR code on the notice).

Key dates

• Applications close: 20 September 2026

Please read the official IIT Indore advertisement (PDF) before applying, and browse more quantum technology jobs on ResearchJobs.in.