PhD Admission January 2027 in Physical Sciences, NISER Bhubaneswar

Job Description

PhD admission at NISER Bhubaneswar for January 2027 is open in the School of Physical Sciences. This is the Winter Session of 2026-27. The last date for all schools is 1 November 2026, and there is no application fee.

At a glance

• Programme: PhD in the School of Physical Sciences, starting January 2027
• Where: NISER, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha
• Application fee: none
• Test or interview: 1 and 2 December 2026 (tentative)
• Apply by: 1 November 2026

The advertisement singles out quantum computing with neutral atoms and vapour-cell quantum sensing, work tied to the National Quantum Mission. Quantum technology, photonics and optical engineering degrees are accepted here alongside a physics master’s, which is worth knowing if your background is in engineering.

Eligibility for the School of Physical Sciences

• 55% or equivalent GPA in a master’s in physics
• Or an ME or MTech in applied physics, quantum technology, photonics, optical engineering or another relevant field
• Or at least 75% marks in a four-year, eight-semester bachelor’s science degree with physics as one of the subjects
• Or at least 75% in a four-year BE or BTech degree
• Candidates with a GPA may need a conversion note from their institution if the mark sheet does not give a percentage

National examination required

Candidates must have qualified at least one of CSIR-UGC-NET, GATE or JEST, valid for the academic year 2026-2027.

One rule that catches people out

The advertisement is explicit: a candidate holding the INSPIRE Doctoral Fellowship only, without having qualified one of the national written examinations listed above, will not be considered for PhD admission at NISER. Several institutes accept INSPIRE on its own. NISER does not. Check this before you spend time on the form.

The cut-off marks for GATE, JEST, JGEEBILS, CSIR-UGC-NET and the rest are set by each school for its own subject area, so a pass alone may not be enough.

Research areas

The advertisement names quantum computing using neutral atoms, and vapour-cell based quantum sensing among the current work, under the National Quantum Mission. The project description and the qualifications wanted are on the group’s project page.

For the rest of the school’s work, read the School of Physical Sciences faculty page.

How to apply

Apply online on the NISER online application portal. The portal opened on 1 October 2026. NISER charges no application fee for the PhD programme. If you want more than one school, fill a separate form for each one with its own documents. Keep ready a passport photo and signature as JPEG files, a birth certificate or class 10 certificate, and your qualifying degree certificates and mark sheets.

Candidates still sitting their final examination may apply. They must give an undertaking that the degree certificate will be submitted by the time of admission. If your mark sheet shows a GPA without a conversion note, get one from your institution.

Selection

Each school’s selection committee shortlists from the applications received by the deadline. Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee a shortlist, and schools may add their own criteria. Shortlisted candidates face an interview, with a written test as well if the school wants one. Everyone called for the test or interview is reimbursed return travel at second-sleeper class railway fare by the shortest route, against valid documents.

Read the official NISER advertisement (PDF) in full before applying. Browse more PhD positions on ResearchJobs.in, or search our Find a supervisor page.

Key dates

• Portal opened: 1 October 2026
• Last date: 1 November 2026
• Shortlist published on the NISER website: 10 November 2026
• Test or interview: 1 and 2 December 2026 (tentative)
• First-semester registration: 1 January 2027