The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has released Special Faculty Advertisement No. IITM/R/03/2026 inviting applications from distinguished scholars and researchers for 40 Faculty Positions at the level of Assistant Professor across various engineering, basic sciences, humanities, and management departments. Candidates holding a Ph.D. with first class in prior academic degrees and exceptional research productivity can submit their comprehensive dossiers online at facapp.iitm.ac.in. Appointed faculty members join the 7th Central Pay Commission Academic Pay Level 10 or 12 with extensive research seed funding and institutional housing.
IIT Madras Faculty Recruitment 2026: Fast Overview Table
A structured outline of the professorial vacancies, academic grades, and institutional evaluation protocols is provided below:
| Premier Institute of National Importance | Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) |
|---|---|
| Faculty Advertisement Reference | Special Recruitment Drive Advt. No. IITM/R/03/2026 |
| Available Academic Vacancies | 40 Assistant Professor Positions |
| Academic Pay Level Matrix | Level 10 (₹70,900) to Level 12 (₹1,01,500) under 7th CPC |
| Age Guidelines | Preferably below 35 years for Assistant Professor Grade I/II |
| Application Processing Fee | Nil (Zero fee for all categories and international applicants) |
| Academic Campus | Sardar Patel Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600036 |
| Official Faculty Recruitment Portal | https://facapp.iitm.ac.in/ |
Department-wise Faculty Positions Across Engineering & Interdisciplinary Centers
IIT Madras invites prospective faculty scholars to submit applications across its premier academic departments and advanced interdisciplinary research centers:
- Computer Science & Data Science: Theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, computer systems, and distributed systems.
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Integrated circuits, photonics, wireless communications, electric vehicle power electronics, and control systems.
- Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering: Fluid dynamics, autonomous aerospace vehicles, thermal engineering, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
- Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering: Sustainable materials, clean energy storage, catalytic reaction engineering, and process optimization.
- Civil & Ocean Engineering: Structural resilience, offshore renewable energy, coastal hydrology, and intelligent transportation systems.
- Biotechnology & Medical Sciences: Molecular biology, computational genomics, biomedical instrumentation, and bioinformatics.
- Basic Sciences, Humanities & Management: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Quantitative Economics, Organizational Behavior, and Public Policy.
This special recruitment drive actively implements Government of India reservation rosters for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), while maintaining rigorous international academic benchmarks.
Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifications, Research Track Record & Experience
Doctoral Degree & Preceding Academic Credentials
A candidate must have obtained a Ph.D. with first class or equivalent grade in the preceding degree in appropriate branch with a consistently very good academic record throughout. Candidates must have demonstrated strong research capabilities evidenced by high-impact peer-reviewed publications in SCI/Scopus indexed journals, patented technologies, or conference papers in top-tier international venues (such as CORE A/A* ranked computer science conferences).
Post-Ph.D. Professional Experience Requirements
The academic cadre eligibility follows Ministry of Education guidelines:
- Assistant Professor Grade I (Academic Level 12): Requires a minimum of three years post-Ph.D. teaching, research, or industrial experience in prestigious universities, R&D institutes, or industrial laboratories.
- Assistant Professor Grade II (Academic Level 10 / 11): Candidates with fresh Ph.D. or less than three years of post-doctoral research experience may be considered for contractual appointment at Academic Level 10 (Cell 1: ₹70,900) or Level 11, with regular progression to Grade I upon acquiring the requisite experience.
Teaching Vision & Collaborative R&D Capabilities
Applicants are expected to demonstrate enthusiasm and pedagogical acumen for teaching core undergraduate courses as well as formulating advanced postgraduate electives. Successful applicants are expected to establish vigorous sponsored research programs supported by national agencies (DST, SERB, ISRO, DRDO) and industrial partners, guide doctoral and master's theses, and actively foster interdisciplinary research collaborations.
7th CPC Academic Pay Scale Matrix & Institutional Benefits
Faculty compensation at IIT Madras adheres to 7th CPC Academic Pay scales:
- Assistant Professor Grade I: Academic Level 12 with starting basic pay of ₹1,01,500/- per month (Cell 1) plus Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, and Campus Housing or HRA (27%).
- Assistant Professor Grade II: Academic Level 10 starting at ₹70,900/- per month, or Level 11 starting at ₹89,800/- per month.
Additionally, IIT Madras provides substantial institutional support including an Initiation Research Grant (New Faculty Seed Grant) up to ₹25 Lakhs for laboratory setup, Cumulative Professional Development Allowance (CPDA) of ₹3 Lakhs over a three-year block for international conferences and professional memberships, medical reimbursement for faculty and dependents, children education allowance, and faculty residential quarters inside the serene campus.
Selection Methodology: Scrutiny, Departmental Seminar & Statutory Interview
The faculty appointment follows a stringent multi-tier academic peer-review pipeline:
- Departmental Faculty Search Committee (DFSC) Review: Rigorous evaluation of candidate's Ph.D. university, citation indices, top 3-5 publication reprints, research proposal feasibility, and alignment with departmental teaching needs.
- External Peer Review: Dossiers of shortlisted candidates are sent to leading international and national experts in the specialized field for independent confidential appraisal.
- Technical Seminar & Teaching Demonstration: Candidates are invited to present their past research achievements, future research trajectory, and conduct an interactive pedagogical teaching lecture before departmental faculty and research scholars.
- Statutory Selection Committee Interview: Final interview before the Statutory Board Selection Committee chaired by the Director, IIT Madras, featuring external domain experts and Board of Governors nominees. Recommendations are confirmed by the Board of Governors (BoG).
How to Apply for IIT Madras Faculty Positions Step-by-Step
Faculty applications must be prepared and submitted through the dedicated online portal:
- Access the IIT Madras Faculty Recruitment Portal at https://facapp.iitm.ac.in/.
- Register an academic account with your professional institutional email address and set your access credentials.
- Select the relevant Academic Department and appropriate cadre (Assistant Professor Grade I or Grade II).
- Complete sections covering academic qualifications from Bachelor's to Doctoral degree, including GPA, thesis titles, and doctoral advisor details.
- Upload a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, complete publication list classified by SCI/Scopus indices, and PDFs of your top three to five representative publications.
- Provide a detailed Research Plan (2 to 3 pages) outlining your 5-year investigative vision, and a Teaching Plan (1 to 2 pages) identifying core subjects and new electives you propose to deliver.
- Provide names and institutional email coordinates of at least three to four distinguished academic referees who can write confidential letters of recommendation.
- Review your completed application dossier, submit online, and download a PDF copy for your academic records.
Important Dates & Application Timeline
The academic selection schedule for this special recruitment cycle is outlined below:
| Special Drive Advertisement Notification | Active on IIT Madras Website |
|---|---|
| Online Dossier Submission Portal | Open at facapp.iitm.ac.in |
| Application Cutoff Date | As specified in the official rolling circular |
| Departmental Seminar Shortlisting | Communicated via email on rolling basis |
| Statutory Selection Committee Sittings | Convened at IIT Madras Campus, Chennai |
| Final Appointment Offer Issuance | Issued post Board of Governors (BoG) approval |
Official Notification Downloads & Portal Links
Frequently Asked Questions (IIT Madras Faculty)
Are Indian scholars currently residing or working abroad eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Indian nationals working in foreign universities or laboratories are eligible to apply. Preliminary seminars can be arranged via video conference.
What is the seed grant support provided to newly recruited Assistant Professors?
IIT Madras provides an Initiation Research Seed Grant of up to ₹25 Lakhs to establish laboratory facilities, purchase essential computing hardware, and recruit research project assistants.
Can a candidate submit applications to more than one academic department?
Yes. If a candidate's interdisciplinary research spans multiple departments (e.g., Computer Science and Electrical Engineering), separate online applications can be submitted to each department.
What is the standard probation period for permanent faculty appointments?
Permanent faculty members appointed at Academic Level 12 are placed on probation for a period of one year, confirmable upon satisfactory annual performance assessment.
Is on-campus accommodation provided to newly appointed faculty members?
Yes. Faculty members are eligible for residential quarters on the green, secure IIT Madras campus in Adyar/Guindy, Chennai, subject to availability and institutional allocation rules.
Are letters of reference collected directly from the applicant?
No. Once the candidate submits referee details in the portal, automated confidential recommendation requests are dispatched directly to the referees' official email addresses.
What criteria determine whether an applicant is placed in Grade I or Grade II?
Candidates possessing at least 3 years of post-Ph.D. research or industrial experience are appointed as Assistant Professor Grade I (Level 12). Candidates with less than 3 years post-doctoral experience are appointed as Grade II (Level 10/11) on contract until completing the requirement.
Anti-Fraud Advisory & Academic Integrity Principles
Faculty selection at IIT Madras is governed strictly by academic excellence, scholarly output, peer review, and statutory selection committee scrutiny in accordance with the Institutes of Technology Act 1961. The institute does not solicit or accept any monetary payments, recruitment fees, or commercial consultancy interventions. All communications are generated exclusively through official `@iitm.ac.in` email accounts and the official portal `facapp.iitm.ac.in`. Prospective applicants should avoid unauthorized educational agents or fraudulent solicitations.