CSIR-Nehru Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Scheme

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research

Human Resource Development Group

CSIR Complex, Library Avenue,

New Delhi – 110 012, INDIA

CSIR-Nehru Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Scheme

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an ensemble of 37 state-of-the art institutes, is amongst the foremost scientific and industrial research organizations. Over the years, this unique organization has helped India usher in a scientific milieu, creating and nurturing talent in a wide variety of S&T domains, spawned many organizations, many disciplines and most importantly has served as a nursery and training ground for most of India‟s talented scientists and technologists. CSIR annually publishes over 3800 papers in science journals and holds over 3000 patents.

“CSIR-Nehru Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Scheme” has been instituted to identify promising young researchers with innovative ideas and provide them with training and research opportunities in niche areas of basic science, engineering, medicine and agriculture. The scheme aims at facilitating their transition from mentored to independent research career. CSIR intends to offer one hundred (100) such fellowships every year to promising fresh PhD holders for working in CSIR laboratories with state-of-art R&D facilities.

Eligibility: PhD degree holders within three years of award of PhD degree, or those who have submitted PhD theses. Applicants who are about to submit thesis are also eligible to apply, but their selection will be subject to the condition that they would have submitted thesis before the expiry of the validity of the award offer. Applicants should have research publications in high impact SCI journals.

Though CSIR Nehru Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is open to Indian nationals, Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), a certain number (up to 20%) of fellowships may be offered to foreign nationals.

Maximum Age Limit: 32 years, relaxable upto 5 years in case of SC/ST/OBC/Physically handicapped and women candidates.

Tenure: Two years and extendable for maximum one more year based on outstanding performance and recommendation from the Director of the CSIR lab where working.

Remuneration: CSIR Nehru Science Postdoctoral Fellows will be paid a consolidated fellowship of Indian Rs. 35,000/- per month plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as admissible and a contingency grant of Rs. 3.0 lakh per annum. 25% of the contingency grant can be used for domestic and international travel including per diem expenses.

Mode of selection: Eligible candidates can apply in the prescribed format, available on the website www.csirhrdg.res.in, any time of the year. However, the selections will be made twice a year, in the months of June and December. Applications received two months before the scheduled interview date will be considered for short listing and calling for interview. Eligible candidates must route their applications through the sponsoring CSIR laboratory.

Selections to the “CSIR-Nehru Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowships” will be made based on the presentation of the proposed research project followed by interview of short listed candidates by specially constituted Committees. Applicants from abroad may also be considered in absentia, if eligible. Selection of foreign nationals will be subjected to clearance by ISTADS, CSIR.

Accommodation and other benefits: Accommodation may be provided by CSIR laboratories if available. CSIR rules on leased accommodation are being reviewed in the light of „Sixth Pay Commission‟ recommendations and will be made applicable as and when approved. CSIR Nehru Science Postdoctoral Fellows will be entitled for Medical benefits as per the CSIR rules for Research Associates.

Other relevant information:

(i) Candidates who have worked for their PhD from a particular CSIR laboratory will not be eligible for becoming a PDF in the same CSIR laboratory under this scheme.

(ii) 20% of the fellowship amount will be paid as lump sum at the end of completion of 1st and 2nd year, respectively.

(iii) Selected candidates are expected to join within four months of effective date of award.

All other rules and regulations will be as applicable to CSIR Research Associates (can be seen at www.csirhrdg.res.in). Further, in all matters, the decision of CSIR shall be final.

List of CSIR laboratories and their R&D activities can be seen at www.csir.res.in. For more information about CSIR labs, please visit the website of the individual laboratory.

How to Apply

Please read the instructions, given at Annexure-I, carefully before filling the Application Form. The Application Proforma is given as Annexure-II. Application received without the Attestation of the Director of the Sponsoring CSIR laboratory will be rejected.

Where to Apply

Applications duly filled in the prescribed format and complete in all respect should be sent to:

Ms Sushila Khilnani,

Scientist-G

Human Resource Development Group,

CSIR Complex, Library Avenue,

Pusa, New Delhi-110012

Email : skhilnani@csirhrdg.res.in

Tel : 011-25846077

“Application for CSIR-Nehru Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship” should clearly be written on top of the envelope containing application form.

About CSIR

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) established in 1942, is an autonomous body and India's largest Research and Development (R&D) organization, with 39 laboratories and 50 field stations or extension centers spread across the nation, with a collective staff of over 17,000. Although CSIR is mainly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, it operates as an autonomous body registered under the Registration of Societies Act of 1860.

The research and development activities of CSIR includes various fields such as aerospace engineering, Structural engineering, ocean sciences, molecular biology, metallurgy, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environment. In December 2006, Director General of CSIR, Raghunath A. Mashelkar, retired following which M. K. Bhan took over the post, but he was relieved on March 7, 2007. After that T. Ramasami had the additional charge of Director General of CSIR until Samir K. Brahmachari was appointed as the Director General on November 13, 2007.