CSIR-NCL Project Invites Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduates for Genome-Editing Research

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in Pune, a premier constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has released an advertisement for two temporary positions of Project Associate I. The opportunities are part of a sponsored project titled “Genome-Editing For Crop Improvement (GE-Crop)” and are open to candidates from various scientific backgrounds, including Pharmaceutical Sciences.

This engagement is purely on a temporary basis for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and project needs. It’s a fantastic chance for young researchers to gain experience in a cutting-edge field at a top-tier research institution.

Position and Compensation

Post: Project Associate I
Number of Positions: 2
Salary: The consolidated monthly emoluments are tiered based on national-level examination qualifications:
- ₹31,000 + HRA: For candidates who have qualified in national examinations such as CSIR-UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET (including lectureship/assistant professorship) or GATE.
- ₹25,000 + HRA: For all other candidates who do not fall under the above category.

Eligibility and Desired Skills

Minimum Educational Qualification: Applicants must have a Master’s or Integrated Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or a similar field. A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or Medicine is also acceptable.
Age Limit: The upper age limit for applicants is 35 years. Age relaxation of up to 5 years is available for SC/ST/PWD/women candidates, and 3 years for OBC candidates.
Desirable Experience: The project is looking for candidates with experience in:
- Gene cloning and sequence analysis.
- Development of gene constructs.
- Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation.
- Plant tissue culture and metabolite analysis.

Application Process and Key Dates

Application Method: Applications must be submitted online only through the CSIR-NCL official job portal: jobs.ncl.res.in.
Application Deadline: The last date to submit the online application is October 3, 2025.
Shortlisted Candidates: A list of shortlisted candidates will be notified on the official website and divisional notice board on October 7, 2025.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be required to appear for an online interview on October 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM. An URL link for the interview will be sent to the candidates via email on or before the shortlisting date.

Candidates are advised to provide all their qualifications and relevant experience in their online application, as a large number of applicants may lead to a screening process to restrict the number of candidates called for the interview. No TA/DA will be provided for the interview.