JRF/SRF in Pomegranate Genomics: Fruit Quality and Bacterial Blight Resistance (DBT Project), ICAR-IARI New Delhi
Job Description
The Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, is recruiting a JRF/SRF in pomegranate genomics for a DBT-sponsored project that uses genome-wide association mapping to find the genetic basis of fruit size, fruit quality and bacterial blight resistance in pomegranate.
At a glance
- Position: Junior Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow (one post)
- Where: Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi
- Pay: Rs 37,000 plus 27% HRA per month in years one and two, Rs 42,000 plus 27% HRA in year three
- Duration: one year at first, extendable yearly until the scheme ends
- Apply by: 25 September 2026 by email; interview 28 September
The project is titled “Genetic dissection for fruit size, quality and bacterial blight resistance in pomegranate through genome-wide association mapping”. Bacterial blight is one of the most damaging diseases of pomegranate in India, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) link DNA variation across many varieties to traits such as fruit size and disease resistance. Applications go to Dr N.V. Singh of the division, as the advertisement states.
Why this role matters
Pomegranate is an important fruit crop for farmers in drier parts of India, and markers for blight resistance and fruit quality can speed up breeding. The post offers training in fruit phenotyping, molecular markers and association mapping.
About the JRF/SRF pomegranate genomics post at IARI
- Phenotyping pomegranate for fruit size, quality and bacterial blight response, and biochemical analysis of fruit
- Molecular marker work and data compilation and analysis of morphological, chemical and molecular data using Excel, R and similar software, as the advertisement prefers
The advertisement does not list duties; the points above follow from the project title and its desirable experience.
Eligibility
- A master’s degree in horticulture, fruit science, genetics, plant breeding, genetics and plant breeding, plant molecular biology and biotechnology, or life sciences, with a four- or five-year bachelor’s degree
- With a three-year bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate degree in basic sciences, candidates must have UGC/CSIR/ICAR NET, GATE or an equivalent, or a PhD in one of these subjects (per the ICAR memoranda of 13 July 2015 and 9 October 2015)
- Desirable: molecular markers, marker-assisted breeding, phenotyping of fruit crops, biochemical analysis, and data analysis in Excel and R
- Age: at most 35 for men and 40 for women, with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC under Government of India and ICAR rules
Report by 9:30 AM on the interview day for certificate checks; candidates arriving after 10:30 AM are not considered. Bring your thesis or project report, experience certificates and papers, and a no-objection certificate if employed. The biodata must list marks from Class 10 onwards with certificates, because an academic score is calculated from them. No TA/DA is paid, and a medical certificate is needed at joining. The advertisement gives the email deadline twice, as 28 September and as 25 September in the same paragraph, so send it by 25 September. It also invites two Field Assistants; this listing covers only the JRF/SRF post.
Pay and duration
- Rs 37,000 per month plus 27% HRA in the first and second years
- Rs 42,000 per month plus 27% HRA in the third year
- One year at first, extendable yearly after satisfactory performance until the scheme ends, with no re-engagement after it ends
How to apply
Download the application format from the advertisement (it is also on iari.res.in), and email the filled form with your biodata (Annexure 1) and self-attested copies of your documents to Dr N.V. Singh at nripendras72@gmail.com by 25 September 2026. Shortlisted candidates are called for the interview on 28 September 2026 at the Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi; report by 9:30 AM with all original certificates.
Key dates
- Advertisement dated 31 August 2026
- Email the application by 25 September 2026
- Interview: 28 September 2026, reporting by 9:30 AM
Please read the official ICAR-IARI advertisement (Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology) before applying, and browse more Junior Research Fellow jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
Official advertisement: iari.res.in
How to prepare for this application
- Know the crop: read about pomegranate bacterial blight, its symptoms and spread, and the main Indian varieties such as Bhagwa.
- GWAS basics: be ready to explain population structure, linkage disequilibrium, SNP genotyping and how associations are tested.
- Fruit traits: know how fruit weight, aril colour, TSS and acidity are measured, since phenotyping is central to the project.
- R skills: show that you can clean data and run ANOVA, correlations or GWAS packages in R.
- Score your biodata: fill marks from Class 10 onwards and attach every certificate, because the academic score is computed from them.
About ICAR-IARI
The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), widely known as the Pusa Institute, is the flagship research and teaching institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), based on the Pusa campus in New Delhi. It is a deemed university whose Graduate School trains master's and PhD students, and its divisions cover crop improvement, plant protection, horticulture, natural resources and agricultural technology. Its breeding programmes have released many varieties of wheat, rice, pulses, vegetables and fruit. Project fellowships at IARI are a common first step into agricultural research and PhD programmes.
