Project Assistant in Galaxy Dynamics and Dark Matter, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (Walk-in 28 September)
Job Description
This project assistant job at IIA Bengaluru is a walk-in appointment on 28 September 2026 for a DST-WIDUSHI funded project on dark matter in galaxies at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Koramangala.
At a glance
- Position: Project Assistant, one post (Advt. No. IIA/09/2026-27, dated 2 September 2026)
- Where: Indian Institute of Astrophysics, 2nd Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru
- Project: DST-WIDUSHI project on the distribution of dark matter in galaxies and its effect on disk dynamics, star formation and galaxy evolution
- Pay: Rs 20,000 a month plus applicable HRA
- Duration: Six months initially, extendable to one year subject to funding and performance
- Apply by: Walk-in interview on 28 September 2026; registration between 9.00 and 10.00 am
About the project assistant post at IIA
IIA has invited candidates to a walk-in interview for one Project Assistant post on the DST-WIDUSHI (Women’s Instinct for Developing and Ushering in Scientific Heights & Innovation) funded project titled ‘Investigating the Distribution of dark matter in galaxies, and its effect on disk dynamics, star formation and galaxy evolution’.
The interview will be held at the institute campus at 2nd Block, Koramangala, Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru 560 034, between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. Candidates must register their names between 9.00 and 10.00 am on the day; the notice says those arriving later will not be entertained. The place of posting is IIA, Bengaluru.
Who can apply
- A B.Sc. degree in Physics, Astrophysics, Astronomy or Applied Physics with at least 60% aggregate marks, from a university or institution recognised by the UGC or AICTE.
- Age limit 40 years, with relaxation for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and physically handicapped candidates as notified by the Government of India.
- Desirable: experience in computational stellar physics; expertise in galaxy evolution; analysis of UV and optical data; exposure to multi-wavelength data from telescopes such as JWST, ALMA, HST and GALEX; skills in high-performance computing and Python programming.
- Desirable but not necessary: at least one first-author publication.
- Only candidates of Indian nationality may attend the walk-in interview.
Why this role matters
Rotation curves and disk dynamics are still the most direct handle astronomers have on where dark matter sits inside galaxies. A project assistant on this work spends the year on real multi-wavelength data and simulation, which is the sort of preparation that makes a later PhD application concrete rather than theoretical.
Pay and duration
The notice states Rs 20,000 a month plus applicable HRA.
The appointment is purely contractual: six months initially, extendable to one year based on funding and the candidate’s performance, or co-terminus with the project, whichever is earlier. The notice states that the post carries no privileges or service benefits of regular institute employees and no claim to regular employment.
How to apply
Attend the walk-in interview on 28 September 2026 with the prescribed application form attached to the advertisement, filled in and with a passport-size photograph pasted at the top, along with original certificates for qualifications and experience and one set of self-certified photocopies. The notice says candidature will not be considered without them.
Bring a CV, date-of-birth proof, educational qualification certificates, experience certificates if applicable, and an ID proof such as Aadhaar, PAN or driving licence, in original and one copy. The institute states that it may hold a written test to shortlist candidates if attendance is high, and that no TA or DA will be reimbursed.
Read the official IIA advertisement (IIA/09/2026-27) in full before applying. You can also browse research assistant positions and more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Official advertisement: www.iiap.res.in
How to prepare for this application
- Print the application form from the advertisement and fill it in before you travel; the notice makes an incomplete file a reason to turn candidates away.
- Carry a one-page summary of any data analysis you have done — a rotation curve you fitted, a photometric catalogue you worked with, a simulation you ran.
- Be ready for questions on galaxy rotation curves, disk stability and how star formation is traced in the UV, since the project sits on exactly those.
- If you have used JWST, ALMA, HST or GALEX archives, bring the plots; archival experience counts more than the size of the project.
- Reach Koramangala well before 10.00 am: registration closes at 10.00 and late arrivals are not entertained.
About the Indian Institute of Astrophysics
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics is an autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, dedicated to research in astronomy, astrophysics and allied sciences and technology.
Its main campus is at Koramangala in Bengaluru, with the CREST campus at Hosakote. IIA operates field stations at Kavalur and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, Gauribidanur in Karnataka, and Leh and Hanle in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
