Junior Research Fellow in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (Proton-Conducting Oxides), BIT Mesra Ranchi (ANRF Project)

Job Description

BIT Mesra is hiring a JRF in solid oxide fuel cells in Ranchi. The ANRF project develops a hafnium-loaded proton-conducting oxide for fuel cells that run directly on hydrocarbons. A JRF gets Rs 37,000 a month plus HRA. Email your CV before 28 October 2026.

At a glance

• Post: Junior Research Fellow or Project Fellow, 1 post
• Project: Hafnium Loaded Proton Conducting Oxide for Direct-Hydrocarbon Intermediate Temperature SOFC Application (ANRF)
• Principal Investigator: Dr. Ela Rout, Department of Physics
• Pay: JRF Rs 37,000 a month plus HRA; Project Fellow Rs 25,000 a month
• Duration: Project runs till 15 May 2027
• Apply by: Before 28 October 2026, by email

The advertisement is No. BIT/RDC/PR/2026-2027/0000000643, signed on 13 October 2026. BIT Mesra is a deemed university. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) funds the project.

What the BIT Mesra fuel cell JRF will do

• Make and study proton-conducting oxide materials loaded with hafnium
• Characterise the materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells
• Work towards cells that run directly on hydrocarbon fuels

Why this role matters

Fuel cells that run directly on natural gas or biogas skip the costly hydrogen step. Proton-conducting oxides make that possible at lower temperatures. This JRF gives hands-on ceramic and electrochemistry skills used across the clean-energy field.

Eligibility

• For JRF: an M.Sc. in physics with a valid NET or GATE score, or an M.Tech. in electronics, ceramics, metallurgical engineering or a related branch
• For Project Fellow: if no NET or GATE candidate is suitable, an M.Sc. physics graduate may be taken as Project Fellow
• Desirable: research experience in materials synthesis and characterisation; basic computer skills
• Age limit: not stated in the ad

The ad’s pay table also lists third-year rates (JRF Rs 42,000; Project Fellow Rs 28,000), but it gives the project end as 15 May 2027. The PDF says “before 28/10/2026” and the BIT Mesra listing says last date 28 October, so send it by 27 October to be safe. The PI’s email address uses a different surname from the one in the ad.

Pay and duration

• JRF: Rs 37,000 a month for the first two years, Rs 42,000 in the third year, plus admissible HRA
• Project Fellow: Rs 25,000 a month for two years, Rs 28,000 in the third year
• No application fee; no TA or DA for the interview

How to apply

Email your CV to Dr. Ela Rout at elasinha@bitmesra.ac.in, with a copy to dr.aac@bitmesra.ac.in. Include your email ID and a working phone number in the CV. Bring the application, an updated CV and self-attested copies of certificates to the interview. The ad is listed on the BIT Mesra JRF/SRF openings page.

Key dates

• Advertisement signed: 13 October 2026
• Last date: before 28 October 2026
• Interview: 2 November 2026, 10:30 AM, online or offline; shortlisted candidates are told by email

Please read the official BIT Mesra advertisement (PDF) before applying, and browse more Junior Research Fellow jobs on ResearchJobs.in.