Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, India's premier institution of advanced scientific and technological research and an autonomous Institution of Eminence under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has released an employment recruitment advertisement for 4 project positions in its Department of Civil Engineering under the National Quantum Mission (NQM). These prestigious scientific openings include Research Associate (RA), Senior Project Associate, and Project Trainee to advance cutting-edge quantum sensing, smart structural health monitoring, and advanced composite materials.
Candidates can download the authentic notification directly through this verified document: Download IISc Bangalore Official Notice PDF. Eligible postgraduate researchers, engineering graduates, and science scholars must submit their online applications and research portfolios through the official institute portal at iisc.ac.in before the closing date of October 15, 2026.
IISc Bangalore Project Staff Recruitment 2026: Executive Overview
The structured table below outlines key institutional and technological coordinates of this premier research recruitment:
| Recruitment Dimension | Official Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Institution | Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru |
| Operating Department | Department of Civil Engineering / Quantum Sensing Laboratory |
| Sponsored Mission | National Quantum Mission (NQM), Department of Science and Technology |
| Post Designations | Research Associate, Senior Project Associate, Project Trainee |
| Total Vacancies | 4 Sponsored Research Positions |
| Tenure of Appointment | Contractual engagement co-terminus with project funds (Initially 1 year, extendable) |
| Official Notification Document | Download Official Notice PDF (Direct Link) |
| Official Institute Portal | iisc.ac.in |
| Application Mode | Online Registration & Email Dossier Submission |
| Application Closing Date | October 15, 2026 |
| Application Processing Fee | Zero Fee (Rs. 0 application charges for all candidate categories) |
IISc Bangalore Vacancy Distribution Across Quantum Sensing Research
The 4 sponsored research positions are apportioned across specialized scientific domains as detailed below:
| Post Designation | Research Domain / Focus | Total Posts | Prescribed Minimum Qualification | Monthly Fellowship / Emolument |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Associate-I | Quantum Gravimetry & Sensing in Geophysics | 1 | Ph.D. in Civil / Physics / Geophysics or M.Tech + 3 Yrs | Rs. 47,000 to Rs. 54,000 per month + HRA |
| Senior Project Associate | Optomechanical Structural Health Monitoring | 1 | Master Degree in Engineering / Science + 4 Years Exp | Rs. 42,000 per month + HRA |
| Project Trainee / Assistant | Laboratory Instrumentation & Data Acquisition | 2 | B.E. / B.Tech in Civil / Instrumentation / Electronics | Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 31,000 per month + HRA |
| Total Research Vacancies | IISc Premier Institute of Eminence | 4 | Graduate / Master / Doctoral Cadre | DST Approved Stipend Scale |
Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifications, Age Limits & Research Track
Applicants must satisfy the detailed eligibility criteria specified in the official notification:
1. Academic & Technical Qualifications
- Research Associate-I: Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering, Physics, Geophysics, or Electrical Engineering, or having 3 years of research, design, and development experience after M.E. / M.Tech with at least one research paper in Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal. Knowledge of optomechanical sensors or finite element modeling (FEM) is preferred.
- Senior Project Associate: Master Degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences / MVSc or Bachelor degree in Engineering or Technology or Medicine from a recognized University with minimum 4 years experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions.
- Project Trainee: Full-time Bachelor Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) in Civil Engineering, Electronics, or Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University with minimum 65% aggregate marks. Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, and experimental sensing rigs is desirable.
2. Age Boundaries & Statutory Relaxations
The upper age boundaries as on October 15, 2026 are:
- Research Associate: Maximum 40 Years.
- Senior Project Associate: Maximum 40 Years.
- Project Trainee: Maximum 32 Years.
- Standard age relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST/PwBD and female candidates, 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates as per Government of India directives.
Selection Process, Exam Pattern & Examination Scheme
The selection mechanism follows a structured academic screening and interview methodology:
| Selection Stage | Evaluation Component | Assessment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Academic Pedigree & Publication Screening | Scrutiny of degree marks, SCI citations, and relevant laboratory project exposure | Shortlisting ratio (1:5 candidates per vacancy) |
| Stage 2: Technical Seminar / Research Presentation | Presentation on doctoral thesis, sensor instrumentation, or proposed quantum methodology | Technical Expert Committee (50 Marks) |
| Stage 3: Personal Interview | Experimental physics depth, structural dynamics, mathematical modeling, coding skills | Faculty Selection Board (50 Marks) |
| Stage 4: Document Verification | Scrutiny of degree certificates, mark sheets, and experience testimonials | Mandatory verification prior to formal appointment offer |
Subject-Wise Detailed Syllabus & Quantum Civil Engineering Topics
Researchers preparing for the IISc technical interview should focus on these specialized fields:
- Quantum Sensing Fundamentals: Atomic interferometry, quantum gravimetry, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) diamond magnetometers, cold atom traps, and laser cooling principles.
- Structural Health Monitoring (SHM): Piezoelectric sensors, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) optical sensors, acoustic emission monitoring, vibration-based damage detection, and modal analysis.
- Computational Mechanics & FEM: Finite Element Method (ANSYS, ABAQUS, COMSOL Multiphysics), continuum mechanics, wave propagation in layered media, and inverse problem algorithms.
- Signal Processing & Data Acquisition: Fourier transforms, wavelet analysis, digital filters, lock-in amplifiers, analog-to-digital conversion, and LabVIEW programming.
- Geophysical Applications: Underground void detection, aquifer monitoring, seismic hazard assessment, and gravity anomaly mapping.
Previous Years Cutoff / Merit Benchmarks & Evaluation Criteria
Benchmarked shortlisting criteria observed in IISc sponsored project recruitments:
| Cadre Designation | General (UR) Screening Benchmark | OBC (NCL) Benchmark | SC / ST Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | Ph.D. + 2 SCI Journal Publications | Ph.D. + 1 SCI Publication | Ph.D. Degree in Relevant Domain |
| Senior Project Associate | M.Tech with > 75.00% + 4 Yrs Exp | M.Tech with > 70.00% + 4 Yrs | M.Tech with > 65.00% + 3 Yrs |
| Project Trainee | B.Tech with > 72.00% Marks | B.Tech with > 67.00% Marks | B.Tech with > 60.00% Marks |
Salary Breakdown & Monthly Emoluments for IISc Project Staff
Research staff receive monthly fellowship emoluments in accordance with DST guidelines:
| Post Designation | Basic Monthly Fellowship | House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Gross Monthly Emoluments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Associate-I | Rs. 47,000 to Rs. 54,000 per month | 27% HRA for Bengaluru (Rs. 12,690 to Rs. 14,580) | Rs. 59,690 to Rs. 68,580 per month |
| Senior Project Associate | Rs. 42,000 per month | 27% HRA for Bengaluru (Rs. 11,340) | Rs. 53,340 per month |
| Project Trainee / Assistant | Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 31,000 per month | 27% HRA for Bengaluru (Rs. 6,750 to Rs. 8,370) | Rs. 31,750 to Rs. 39,370 per month |
Candidate Guidelines & Actionable Instructions / Preparation Strategy
Researchers intending to join the Department of Civil Engineering at IISc should execute these steps:
- Review Official Notification PDF: Examine the advertisement details via the direct PDF document link below to verify project code requirements.
- Prepare Comprehensive CV: Detail educational scores, master/doctoral thesis titles, technical laboratory equipment handled, and list of publications.
- Submit Application Dossier: Forward your resume and scanned certificates to the Principal Investigator email address mentioned in the notification before October 15, 2026.
- Prepare for Technical Presentation: Organize a 10-slide presentation highlighting your past research outcomes, experimental sensor rigs built, and programming proficiencies.
Official Portals & Direct Notification Download Links
| Official Resource / Link | Direct Web Portal Access URL |
|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore Project Staff Notification PDF | Download Official PDF Notice |
| Indian Institute of Science Official Portal | iisc.ac.in |
| IISc Department of Civil Engineering Portal | civil.iisc.ac.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I download the official IISc Bangalore Project Staff Notification PDF?
Candidates can access and download the authentic notification PDF directly from the official portal at iisc.ac.in or through the direct document link for October 2026.
2. What is the total number of vacancies announced in IISc Bangalore NQM project?
There are 4 sponsored research positions available including Research Associate, Senior Project Associate, and Project Trainee posts at iisc.ac.in.
3. What is the application deadline for IISc Bangalore project recruitment?
The closing date for submission of application dossiers via email at iisc.ac.in is October 15, 2026.
4. Is there an application fee for IISc Bangalore project positions?
No, there is Rs. 0 application fee on iisc.ac.in for applying to these 4 research positions; all candidate categories can apply free of cost.
5. What is the monthly fellowship for Research Associates at IISc Bangalore?
Research Associates receive a basic fellowship ranging from Rs. 47,000 to Rs. 54,000 plus 27% Bengaluru HRA, providing total monthly emoluments up to Rs. 68,580.
6. What is the maximum age limit for applying to IISc project positions?
The upper age limit is 40 years for Research Associates and 32 years for Project Trainees as of October 15, 2026, with 5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates.