Scientist ‘C’ in Biopesticide and Crop Protection Validation at NIF Gandhinagar

Job Description

NIF Gandhinagar is recruiting a Scientist ‘C’ (post code PC-03) with a Ph.D. in the biological sciences to test crop protection technologies that come from farmers and grassroots innovators. The desirable experience covers botanical and microbial biopesticides, biocontrol agents, formulation work under Good Laboratory Practice, and intellectual property in agriculture. It is a regular post at pay Level 11 for candidates up to 35.

At a glance

• Post: Scientist ‘C’ (PC-03), 1 post, Advertisement No. Adv/02/2026
• Focus: Laboratory and field testing of biopesticides, biocontrol agents and other crop protection technologies
• Pay: 7th CPC pay matrix Level 11 (Rs 67,700 – 2,08,700 basic per month)
• Upper age limit: 35 years on the closing date, with relaxations as per Government of India rules
• Where: NIF campus, Grambharti, Amrapur, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Apply by: online; closes 30 days after the Employment News notice (earliest 28 September 2026)

Farmers often develop their own plant-based or microbial pest remedies. Testing whether they work, making stable formulations and protecting them with patents or plant-variety rights is how NIF helps such remedies reach the market.

What the post involves

• Evaluating botanical and microbial biopesticides, biocontrol agents and other crop protection technologies, with laboratory and field efficacy tests
• Developing biopesticide formulations within laboratory quality systems and regulatory standards, including Good Laboratory Practice
• Protecting agricultural innovations through patents, PPV&FRA (plant variety) rights, prior-art and patentability searches
• Safety, efficacy and quality studies, and characterising organic and inorganic compounds with bioanalytical methods and advanced instruments

NIF’s advertisement lists essential and desirable qualifications rather than duties; the points above follow its desirable qualifications.

Eligibility

• Ph.D. in the biological sciences or an equivalent discipline (biology, life sciences, biotechnology and related fields)
• Three years of research and development experience in the relevant field
• At least three original research papers of high standard in national or international journals
• Indian citizens only; upper age limit 35 years on the closing date

NIF’s screening committee may shortlist candidates for a written test and/or interview, so meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee a call. Experience counts only after the essential qualification and not while studying full time. Age and eligibility are judged on the closing date, with relaxations as per Government of India rules. Candidates already working in government, PSUs, autonomous bodies or universities must apply through proper channel or upload a no-objection certificate (or an undertaking to produce it at the interview). The number of posts may change, and a reserve panel stays valid for one year.

Pay and duration

• 7th CPC pay matrix Level 11: Rs 67,700 – 2,08,700 basic pay per month
• A regular post filled by direct recruitment through open, all-India competition

How to apply

Apply online only, through the NIF recruitment portal (jobs.nifindia.org): register with a valid email address and mobile number, complete your profile, then choose the post code and submit. Upload self-attested copies of your date-of-birth proof, degrees, experience certificates (showing designation, dates, duties and pay level), category or PwBD certificates if they apply, a list of publications, and Ph.D. registration and award certificates. UR, OBC and EWS candidates pay a non-refundable fee of Rs 1,000 online; SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempt. Apply for only one post under this advertisement: if you apply for more, NIF considers just one. Queries go to jobs@nifindia.org. NIF’s portal stays open for 30 days from the day the advertisement appears in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar (until 23:59 hrs). NIF’s notice does not give that date, so the earliest it can close is 28 September 2026; apply before then to be safe.

Key dates

• Advertisement No. Adv/02/2026, dated 29 August 2026; online applications opened on 29 August 2026
• Closing: 30 days from publication in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar, 23:59 hrs (earliest possible date 28 September 2026)

Please read the official NIF advertisement No. Adv/02/2026 before applying, and browse more life sciences jobs on ResearchJobs.in.