Research Associate in Post-Harvest Engineering and Food Machinery, IIT Kharagpur (ICAR AICRP, 2 Posts)
Job Description
These Research Associate posts in food engineering at IIT Kharagpur work under ICAR’s All India Coordinated Research Project on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology. There are two posts, in the Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering. Apply online by 24 October 2026.
At a glance
- Post: Research Associate (RA), two posts
- Where: Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, IIT Kharagpur
- Principal Investigator: Dr Kanishka Bhunia
- Funded by: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Pay: ₹67,000 a month with a Ph.D.; ₹61,000 a month with an M.Tech
- Duration: One year, extendable up to four years
- Age limit: 35 years
- Apply by: 24 October 2026
The advertisement is IIT/SRIC/R/HPT_SALARY/2026/107. The project is the “AICRP on Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology IIT, Kharagpur-I (salaries)”.
About the post-harvest engineering Research Associate posts at IIT Kharagpur
- Design and develop food processing machinery
- Validate the machines in field trials
- Work across agricultural, food and mechanical engineering on post-harvest problems
The ad lists the experience it wants. It does not list duties; the points above follow that experience.
Why this role matters
A large share of India’s fruit, vegetables and grain is lost between harvest and market. Simple, sturdy machines can cut that loss. These posts sit in a national ICAR network, so good designs can reach farms across the country.
Eligibility
- A Ph.D. or equivalent in Agricultural Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Instrumentation
- Or three years of research, teaching or design and development work after an ME/M.Tech in those subjects, with at least one paper in an SCI journal
- Wanted: interdisciplinary research experience in designing and building food processing machinery, and validating it in field trials
- Upper age limit: 35 years
Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview call. The advertisement lists no application fee. The appointment is for one year to start. It can be extended up to four years in total, or until the project ends, whichever is earlier, based on performance.
Pay and duration
- ₹67,000 a month, consolidated, for Ph.D. holders
- ₹61,000 a month, consolidated, for M.Tech holders
- One year to start, extendable up to four years or until the project ends
How to apply
Apply online through IIT Kharagpur’s SRIC staff recruitment portal. Use the Apply Online button on the official advertisement. The portal asks you to register or log in first. The advertisement lists no application fee. Apply by 24 October 2026 and watch your email for the interview details. Other current SRIC project openings are on the SRIC recruitment page.
Key dates
- Last date to apply: 24 October 2026
- Interview: details by email to shortlisted candidates
Please read the official IIT Kharagpur advertisement before applying, and browse more Research Associate jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Official advertisement: erp.iitkgp.ac.in
How to prepare for this application
- Bring one machine story: a processing machine you designed, what failed in the field, and what you changed.
- Revise unit operations: drying, milling, sorting and storage of grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Know the design side: CAD, material choice for food contact, and how you size motors and drives.
- Think about farmers: cost, power supply and repair in a village are part of any good design.
- Read the PI's work: look up Dr Kanishka Bhunia's papers in food engineering. Browse more Research Associate jobs.
About IIT Kharagpur and SRIC
IIT Kharagpur, founded in 1951, was the first of the Indian Institutes of Technology. Its Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy (SRIC) unit manages externally funded research projects. SRIC also recruits the temporary staff, such as JRFs and research associates, who work on them. These posts last for the tenure in the advertisement, or until the project ends.
