Research Associate in Room-Temperature Quantum Light Sources for QKD, IIT Kharagpur (TCOE Project, Prof. S. K. Varshney)
Job Description
This research associate job in quantum communication is in the Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. The project builds single-photon and entangled photon-pair sources that work at room temperature, for quantum key distribution. Apply online by 15 October 2026.
At a glance
- Post: Research Associate (RA), 1 post
- Where: Dept. of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engg., IIT Kharagpur
- Pay: Up to ₹58,000 a month, by qualification and experience
- Duration: 24 months, or until the project ends
- Apply by: 15 October 2026, online
The project is “Indigenous Development of Quantum Sources (Single photon and Entangled Photon Pair) at Room Temperature for Quantum Communication, Key Distribution Applications”. The sponsor is Telecom Centres of Excellence, at the C-DOT campus in New Delhi. The PI is Prof. Shailendra Kumar Varshney. The reference number is IIT/SRIC/R/SRT/2026/111, dated 1 October 2026. A JRF post on the same project was advertised separately.
About the quantum light source project
- Develop single-photon and entangled photon-pair sources that run at room temperature
- Aim the sources at quantum communication and quantum key distribution (QKD)
- Model devices with quantum, photonic and electromagnetic simulations
- Guide junior project staff and write papers and reports
The advertisement gives the project title and the qualifications only. The points above follow from the title.
Why this role matters
Most single-photon sources need deep cooling, which makes them costly. Sources that work at room temperature could make quantum-secure links practical in Indian telecom networks. This project is funded through the telecom sector for that reason.
Eligibility
- PhD, MD, MS, MDS or an equivalent degree, or
- Three years of research, teaching, design or development experience after MVSc, M.Pharm, ME or M.Tech, with at least one paper in a Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal
- Desirable: prior experience in quantum, photonics or electromagnetic simulations
- Upper age limit: 35 years
The pay is set at one of three RA levels, based on your experience. There is no application fee. The online advertisement page leaves the pay amount blank; the SRIC job list gives “Upto Rs.58000”.
Pay and duration
- Up to ₹58,000 a month (consolidated), depending on qualification and experience
- Tenure: 24 months or until the project ends, whichever is earlier
How to apply
Apply online through the IIT Kharagpur SRIC portal, using the application link for this post. The last date is 15 October 2026. There is no fee.
Key dates
- Advertisement dated: 1 October 2026
- Last date to apply online: 15 October 2026
Please read the official IIT Kharagpur SRIC advertisement 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
- Revise spontaneous parametric down-conversion and four-wave mixing as photon-pair sources
- Know the figures of merit: brightness, heralding efficiency, purity and g(2)
- Be ready to explain BB84 and entanglement-based QKD in simple terms
- Prepare a five-minute summary of your PhD, linked to this project
- Have your SCI papers listed with full references if you apply on the MTech-plus-experience route
About IIT Kharagpur
IIT Kharagpur, founded in 1951, was the first of the Indian Institutes of Technology. Its Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy (SRIC) office hires staff for funded projects. The Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering works on photonics, fibre optics and communications.
