Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PRL Funded), Physical Research Laboratory Ahmedabad (November 2026 Round)

Job Description

The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad offers a postdoctoral fellowship in India in its own research areas. Selection runs in quarterly rounds. The current round takes applications until 30 November, with selection in the second week of January.

At a glance

• Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow (PRL funded)
• Where: Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad (Department of Space)
• Fellowship: Rs 58,000, Rs 61,000 or Rs 67,000 a month, depending on degree status and experience
• Duration: Up to two years
• Apply by: 30 November 2026, including recommendation letters

PRL is a unit of the Department of Space. The fellowship page lists four rounds a year. The window for this round is 1 September to 30 November, and the page does not print the year. Later rounds close on 28/29 February, 31 May and 31 August.

About the PRL postdoctoral fellowship in India

• Research in any of PRL’s research areas
• You write a research proposal in consultation with a PRL faculty member
• The second year depends on a satisfactory annual progress review

Why this role matters

PRL is one of India’s main centres for space, planetary and atmospheric science. Its postdoc pays more than most project posts and lets you work on your own proposal. Four rounds a year mean you can apply as soon as your thesis is in.

Eligibility

• A PhD, or a submitted PhD thesis, in any field of science or engineering, with research that fits PRL’s areas
• Bachelor’s and master’s in science or engineering with first class (60%) or equivalent at both levels
• Age limit: 35 years
• If you have only submitted your thesis, you must show the submission certificate when you join

Candidates are screened on the application and the merit of the research proposal, then called for an interview at PRL. You are called only after all inputs, including the letters, have arrived. If you work for a government body, PSU or autonomous institution, bring a no-objection certificate to the interview.

Pay and duration

• Rs 58,000 a month if your thesis is submitted and the degree is awaited
• Rs 61,000 a month once the PhD is formally awarded
• Rs 67,000 a month for external applicants with a PhD and at least two years of postdoc or Research Associate experience (send an experience certificate)
• PRL accommodation as per rules, or HRA if accommodation is not provided; up to two years in total

How to apply

External applicants must use the official PRL PDF application form only. Three recommendation letters from referees outside PRL must be emailed directly to the Chairperson, PDF Committee, at pdf@prl.res.in. The application and letters must reach PRL by 30 November.

Key dates

• Current window: 1 September to 30 November
• Selection for this round: second week of January
• Next deadlines: 28/29 February, 31 May and 31 August

Please read the official PRL postdoctoral fellowship page before applying, and browse more postdoc jobs on ResearchJobs.in.