JRF / Project Associate-I in Space Biology: UV Damage to Biomolecular Films (ISRO-LEOS Project), IISER Tirupati

Job Description

IISER Tirupati is recruiting a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) or Project Associate-I in space biology (Advertisement No. 67/2026) for an ISRO-funded project that develops biomolecular films to characterise the damage ultraviolet radiation does to large biological molecules in the space environment.

At a glance

• Position: Junior Research Fellow / Project Associate-I (one post)
• Where: IISER Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
• Pay: Rs 37,000 plus 10% HRA per month with NET/GATE or equivalent, otherwise Rs 30,000 plus 10% HRA
• Duration: one year at first, renewable
• Apply by: 24 September 2026, 5 PM

The funding agency is ISRO’s Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS), the Principal Investigator is Dr. Prasanna Katti, and the project code is 30526258. Understanding how UV radiation in space damages DNA, proteins and other macromolecules matters for long-duration missions and for designing materials and experiments that fly in orbit.

About the JRF space biology post at IISER Tirupati

• Help develop biomolecular films and use them to characterise UV-induced damage to macromolecules under space-like conditions
• Bench work in molecular and cell biology; the advertisement lists PCR, cloning, qRT-PCR and work with the model organism Drosophila as desirable experience

The advertisement does not list day-to-day duties; the points above follow from the project title and the desirable skills.

Eligibility

• A Master’s degree in biology, physics or a related field
• Desirable: practical experience of basic molecular and cell biology techniques such as PCR, cloning and qRT-PCR, and of working with model organisms such as Drosophila
• Indian nationals only, not more than 30 years old on the closing date
• Candidates still awaiting the final results of the qualifying degree are not eligible

The listed qualifications are the minimum. If many people apply, the screening committee may shortlist on qualifications and experience beyond the minimum, so mention everything relevant. No TA/DA is paid for the interview, and the selected candidate must join immediately.

Pay and duration

• Rs 37,000 per month plus 10% HRA for scholars selected through CSIR/UGC-NET (including lectureship/Assistant Professorship), GATE, or a national-level examination held by central government departments and their agencies
• Rs 30,000 per month plus 10% HRA for everyone else
• One year at first, renewable on satisfactory performance; the post is temporary and ends with the project

How to apply

Fill in the application form, convert it to PDF, and email it to prasannakatti@labs.iisertirupati.ac.in by 5 PM on 24 September 2026, with the post name and project code in the subject line. No other application form is accepted. Shortlisted candidates are told by email only, so give an active email address and mobile number.

Key dates

• Last date: 24 September 2026, 5 PM
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed by email

Please read the official IISER Tirupati advertisement (No. 67/2026) before applying, and browse more Junior Research Fellow jobs on ResearchJobs.in.