Research Associate in AI/ML for FPGA-Based Network Intrusion Detection, IIT Kharagpur (DRDO Project)
Job Description
This Research Associate job in AI and hardware security is in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. The DRDO project builds an Indian network packet processor on an FPGA. It has a hardware firewall for real-time intrusion detection and prevention.
At a glance
- Post: Research Associate (RA), 1 post
- Where: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal
- Pay: ₹67,000 a month (consolidated, depending on qualification and experience)
- Duration: One year, extendable up to four years or the project end
- Apply by: 23 October 2026, online
The project is “Secure and Intelligent Indigenous Network Packet Processor on Field Programmable Gate Array with Hardware based Stateful Firewall for Real-time Intrusion Detection/Prevention” (project code R/NGS). The Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO, Ministry of Defence, funds it. The PI is Rajat Subhra Chakraborty. The advertisement is IIT/SRIC/R/NGS/2026/111. An SRF post on the same project is listed separately.
About the FPGA intrusion detection project
- Develop AI/ML methods to detect network intrusions in real time
- Help map these methods onto an FPGA-based packet processor
- Work with the team on the stateful hardware firewall
- Test the system, and write reports and papers
The advertisement does not list duties. The points above describe typical RA work on a project with this title and the AI/ML background it asks for. Ask the PI for the exact tasks at interview.
Why this role matters
Network attacks now move faster than software firewalls can react. Putting the firewall and the AI detector on an FPGA makes them fast enough for real time. This DRDO project builds an Indian design, which is valuable for defence networks.
Eligibility
- Essential: a Ph.D./MD/MS/MDS or equivalent, or 3 years of research, teaching and design and development experience after MVSc/M.Pharm/ME/M.Tech with at least one paper in an SCI journal
- Desired: a consistently good academic record and a PhD in CS, CSE, ECE, EE, IT or a related discipline on AI/ML
- Upper age limit: 35 years
The qualifications are minimums. Meeting them does not guarantee an interview call. RA pay is fixed at one of three levels based on qualification and experience; the ad quotes ₹67,000 a month.
Pay and duration
- ₹67,000 a month (consolidated), depending on qualification and experience
- One year from joining, extendable up to four years or the project end, whichever is earlier
How to apply
Apply online through the IIT Kharagpur SRIC recruitment portal, using the “Apply Online” button on the advertisement page. There is no application fee.
Key dates
- Last date: 23 October 2026
- Application fee: none
Please read the official IIT Kharagpur SRIC advertisement IIT/SRIC/R/NGS/2026/111 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
- Prepare a short talk on your PhD work in AI/ML, and link it to network security if you can
- Revise intrusion detection datasets and methods, such as CICIDS-style flow features and anomaly detection
- Learn how ML models are made small enough for FPGAs: quantisation, pruning and fixed-point arithmetic
- Know the basics of stateful firewalls and packet parsing at line rate
- Bring your list of SCI journal papers, since the essential criteria mention them
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) office manages funded projects and hires their project staff.
