JRF in Silicon Photonic Interconnects for AI Systems, IIT Delhi (TCOE India Project)

Job Description

This JRF in silicon photonics at IIT Delhi works on optical links that connect chips in AI computers. Telecom Centre of Excellence India, under the Department of Telecommunications, funds the project. Email your form by 3 November 2026.

At a glance

• Post: Junior Research Fellow, 1 post
• Where: Optics and Photonics Centre, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi
• Principal Investigator: Prof. Awanish Pandey
• Funded by: Telecom Centre of Excellence India, Department of Telecommunication
• Pay: ₹37,000 a month + HRA at 27%
• Duration: Renewed yearly, up to the project end (31 May 2029)
• Open to: Indian nationals only
• Apply by: 3 November 2026, 5:00 pm, by email

The project is “Silicon Photonic Interconnect Fabrics for Energy-Efficient Heterogeneous AI Systems” (RM00198N). The advertisement is IITD/IRD/300/2026, dated 16 October 2026. Its last line prints the date as “03/112026”, with a slash missing. The IRD website lists the closing date as 3 November 2026.

About the silicon photonics JRF for AI hardware

• Work on silicon photonic links that move data between processors and memory in AI systems
• Help design and simulate on-chip optical components
• Help with lab tests of photonic integrated circuits
• Keep records and help with project reports

The advertisement does not list duties. The points above follow the project title. Ask the PI for the exact tasks at interview.

Why this role matters

AI data centres are limited by how fast and cheaply chips can talk to each other. Silicon photonics is the main fix the industry is betting on. Few Indian labs work on it, so the skills are rare and in demand.

Eligibility

• First-class B.Tech/BE in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics, with NET or GATE; or
• First-class M.Sc in Physics, with NET or GATE
• Desirable: experience with photonic integrated circuits or optical communication
• Indian nationals only. The ad gives no age limit

Only shortlisted candidates are called for an online interview. The shortlist goes up at ird.iitd.ac.in/shortlisted. IIT Delhi may set higher shortlisting criteria. SC/ST candidates may get a 5% relaxation in marks. The post is contractual, with consolidated pay. It is renewed yearly or up to the project end, whichever is earlier. The ad says the NET/GATE rule may be relaxed for CFTI graduates with a CGPA above 8.0 (80%). Its next line says “NET/GATE qualified candidates only”. If you do not hold NET or GATE, ask the PI before you apply.

Pay and duration

• ₹37,000 a month (consolidated) plus HRA at 27%
• Renewed yearly after review, up to 31 May 2029 at most

How to apply

Download Form No. IRD/REC-4 from the IRD forms page. Fill in your marks or division and your work experience. Email the form to Prof. Awanish Pandey at opcawanish@iitd.ac.in, with the advertisement number IITD/IRD/300/2026 in the subject line. Apply by 3 November 2026, 5:00 pm. The ad is listed on the IIT Delhi IRD project positions page.

Key dates

• Advertisement dated: 16 October 2026
• Last date to email the form: 3 November 2026, 5:00 pm
• Interview: online, for shortlisted candidates only

Please read the official IIT Delhi advertisement (IITD/IRD/300/2026) before applying, and browse more Junior Research Fellow jobs on ResearchJobs.in.

More optics and photonics jobs are listed on ResearchJobs.in.