Director, DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE), IIT (BHU) Varanasi

Job Description

IIT (BHU) Varanasi is hiring a Director for the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE). This is a senior research leadership job in defence materials and microwave technology. It is a full-time contract for three years. Applications close on 30 October 2026.

At a glance

• Position: Director, DIA-CoE (1 post, full-time contract)
• Where: IIT (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Research areas: Powder metallurgy, functional materials, high power microwave sources and devices, ceramics
• Pay: Rs 1,75,000 to 2,00,000 for non-government candidates, by experience; a separate rule for retired government staff
• Duration: 3 years, extendable by 2 years
• Apply by: 30 October 2026, by email

DRDO signed an MoU with IIT (BHU) to set up the DIA-CoE for directed research. The centre works with academic researchers, start-ups, industry and other institutes. The advertisement is dated 30 September 2026 and was issued by the Dean (R&D).

What the DIA-CoE Director at IIT (BHU) will do

• Act as the administrative and executive head of the centre
• Give strategic guidance and manage the centre as a whole
• Build long-term research and technology roadmaps that match DRDO’s future technology needs
• Make sure projects run well, and win industry partners for technology transfer
• Arrange agreements and technical contracts with DRDO, industry and academia
• Run workshops, seminars and brainstorming sessions to share knowledge

Why this role matters

Indian defence labs need advanced materials and microwave devices built at home. This centre links DRDO with IIT (BHU) researchers, start-ups and industry. Its director sets the research plan and decides which projects move towards real use.

Eligibility

• Essential: a doctoral or master’s degree in engineering, technology or science from a recognised university, with 25 years of experience in technology domains or defence (technical domain). The areas are not limited to the four listed for the centre
• Desirable: experience of collaborative projects, setting up large research facilities, strategic research planning and technology transfer
• Desirable: exposure to multi-node projects across labs, R&D bodies, academia and industry
• Desirable: defence research, coordination or technology development; or a strong record of papers, patents and lab or course development that led to defence or related technology
• Age: below 62 years on the closing date

The person selected must send a joining declaration within 30 days of the appointment letter. If you work full time in a government body, you may attach a no-objection certificate from your employer.

Pay and duration

• Non-government candidates (no government pension): Rs 1,75,000 to 2,00,000, based on experience. The ad does not say whether this is a monthly figure
• Retired central or state government staff: under the Old Pension Scheme, last drawn salary minus basic pension; under the New Pension Scheme, last basic pay minus 30% of last basic pay. Both follow the DoE office memoranda named in the ad
• IIT (BHU) may also give accommodation, medical benefits or other incentives, as per eligibility, its norms and availability
• Contract for 3 years at first, extendable by 2 more years after a performance review. Either side can end it with 3 months’ notice

How to apply

Email your detailed CV as a single PDF to dord@itbhu.ac.in. Add a short statement on why you suit the post, proof of age and of your essential qualifications, and your date of birth. Use the subject line “Application for Director, DIA-CoE, IIT (BHU)”. Name the file <First name>.<Last name>.pdf. Give contact details for at least two referees. An application form is also posted next to the ad on the IIT (BHU) positions page.

Key dates

• Advertisement dated 30 September 2026
• Last date for applications: 30 October 2026 (the ad says 30 days from publication)

Please read the official IIT (BHU) advertisement (PDF) before applying, and browse more scientist jobs on ResearchJobs.in.