Project Associate-I in Recovering High-Purity Silicon from End-of-Life Solar Panels, CSIR-NML Jamshedpur (3 Posts)

Job Description

CSIR-NML in Jamshedpur is holding a walk-in for three Project Associate-I posts in solar panel recycling, on a project to recover high-purity grade silicon from end-of-life (EOL) solar PV panels (project MMP-085203/1).

At a glance

• Post: Project Associate-I (PAT-I), 3 positions; the same project also has 1 Project Assistant-II post
• Where: CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
• Pay: ₹25,000 a month + HRA; ₹31,000 + HRA with NET/GATE or an equivalent national exam
• Age limit: 35 years on the interview date (relaxable as per rules)
• Tenure: Co-terminus with the time-bound project
• Walk-in interview: 7 October 2026 (Group-C), report 9:00–11:00 am

The posts are in Group-C of Advertisement No. T/PS/04/2026, dated 22 September 2026, which fills project staff across many NML projects over walk-ins on 6–9 October. Group-C also covers other recycling projects (tin and antimony from dross, indium and tin from LCD panels); this listing covers only the solar-panel silicon project.

About the solar PV silicon recovery project

• Take part in process development to separate and recover silicon from end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels
• Work on refining steps aimed at high-purity grade silicon
• Run laboratory experiments, characterise products and keep careful process records
• Support scale-up work under the project team

The ad gives only the project title and qualifications; the points above describe the kind of work such a project involves, and the exact duties will be set by the project leader. No project leader is named.

Why this role matters

India is adding solar capacity quickly, and the first large wave of panels will reach end of life within the next decades. Recovering pure silicon from them is a growing field, and hands-on process experience at a national laboratory is directly useful for industry recycling jobs later.

Eligibility

• B.Tech in Chemical, Metallurgical, Metallurgical and Materials, or Materials Science and Engineering, or an M.Sc. in Chemistry, from a recognised university
• Higher pay (₹31,000) for candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET (including lectureship) or GATE, or an equivalent national-level exam
• Age: up to 35 years on the date of the interview

Indian nationals only. The age limit is relaxed by five years for SC/ST candidates and three years for OBC, and also for PwBD and women candidates as the ad sets out. Students awaiting final results are not eligible. If many candidates turn up, a screening test may be held first. The ad says offers depend on funds reaching the project, and no TA/DA is paid. Candidates who have already worked six years or more as project staff in CSIR are not eligible.

Pay and duration

• ₹25,000 a month + HRA, or ₹31,000 + HRA with NET/GATE or equivalent
• Temporary engagement, co-terminus with the project; either side may end it with one month’s notice

How to apply

There is no online application. Download the proforma at the end of the NML advertisement (also listed on the NML temporary careers page), paste a recent colour photograph on it, and bring it with self-attested copies and the originals of all certificates to CSIR-NML, Burmamines, Jamshedpur, between 9:00 and 11:00 am on the walk-in date. A separate form is needed for each group.

Key dates

• Advertisement dated 22 September 2026
• Walk-in for Group-C: 7 October 2026, reporting 9:00–11:00 am

Please read the official CSIR-NML advertisement T/PS/04/2026 (PDF) before applying, and browse more research assistant and project jobs on ResearchJobs.in.