Junior Research Fellow in Plasmonic Lab-on-Fibre PCR Diagnostics, CSIR-CGCRI Kolkata (ANRF Project, Walk-in 30 September)

Job Description

This JRF in plasmonics and fibre-optic sensing at CSIR-CGCRI Kolkata is one Junior Research Fellow (Project) post on an ANRF-funded project to build a plasmonic fibre-tip PCR device for next-generation molecular diagnostics, with a walk-in interview on 30 September 2026 (Advt. No. 30/2627/FOPD/GAP0193/NP, post code 30/2627/01).

At a glance

• Position: Junior Research Fellow (Project), 01 post
• Where: CSIR-CGCRI, Jadavpur, Kolkata
• Pay: Rs 37,000 a month plus HRA as admissible
• Duration: One year at first, extendable up to 1 July 2029 or the end of the project, whichever is earlier
• Apply by: Email the application by 28 September 2026; walk-in interview 30 September 2026 from 10:30 am

The project, GAP0193, is sponsored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and titled “Lab on Fiber: Plasmonic Fibre-tip PCR (FiTi-PCR) for Next Generation Molecular Diagnostics”. The post is open to Indian citizens.

Why this role matters

PCR normally needs a benchtop thermal cycler. Putting the heating and the optical read-out on the tip of an optical fibre, using plasmonic nanostructures that turn light into local heat and signal, is one route to fast, portable molecular tests. The post sits exactly where nanofabrication, plasmonics and fibre-optic sensing meet biology, and a JRF who can simulate, fabricate and functionalise a fibre tip leaves with a rare combination of skills.

Note the two dates: the application must reach CGCRI by email by 28 September, two days before the walk-in interview.

What the plasmonics and fibre-optic sensing JRF will work on

• A plasmonic fibre-tip device for PCR-based molecular diagnostics (lab on fibre)
• Work that draws on the preferred skills in the advertisement: nanofabrication and thin-film deposition, self-assembly and colloidal lithography, plasmonics and optical-fibre sensing, FDTD/FEM simulation, and surface functionalisation with silane chemistry

The advertisement gives the project title and preferred experience rather than a list of duties.

Eligibility

• Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Applied Optics and Photonics, or Biomedical Engineering, or equivalent, with at least 55% marks
• And qualified in CSIR-UGC NET or GATE, or an equivalent national eligibility test recognised by DST/DBT
• Preferred: hands-on experience in one or more of nanofabrication or thin-film deposition (sputtering, evaporation), self-assembly and colloidal lithography, plasmonics and optical-fibre sensing, FDTD/FEM simulation (Lumerical or COMSOL), and surface functionalisation (silane chemistry)
• Age limit: 30 years on the date of interview

The advertisement asks for the typed application form (not hand-written) in the institute’s prescribed format, with self-attested soft copies of every supporting document. Candidates whose results are awaited are not eligible. Anyone already working on a project at CGCRI or another institute must attach a no-objection certificate from their current project leader. If your university awards a CGPA, you must convert it to a percentage using your university’s own rule and attach a self-attested copy of that rule. The upper age limit is relaxed by up to 5 years for SC, ST, physically handicapped and female candidates, and by 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates. Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee a call for interview, and the number of posts may change.

Pay and duration

• Rs 37,000 a month plus HRA as admissible
• Initially one year, extendable up to 1 July 2029 or co-terminus with the project, whichever is earlier
• One post

How to apply

Email a soft copy of the filled-in CGCRI application form for project staff to recruitment.cgcri@csir.res.in, with self-attested soft copies of your certificates, mark sheets and any reprints. A separate application is needed for each post code. Bring the originals and self-attested copies of all documents, and your project thesis if you have one, to the interview, and report at least one hour before the interview time: the advertisement says late arrivals will not be allowed into the institute. The walk-in interview is at CSIR-CGCRI, Kolkata, on 30 September 2026 from 10:30 am.

Key dates

• Last date for the emailed application: 28 September 2026
• Walk-in interview: 30 September 2026 from 10:30 am (report one hour earlier for document checks)

Please read the official CSIR-CGCRI advertisement (Advt. 30/2627) before applying, and browse more Junior Research Fellow jobs on ResearchJobs.in.