IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate Recruitment 2026

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate Recruitment 2026

Facts checked: against the official notice at iiserkol.ac.in on 13 November 2026.

Quick Summary

Applications close on 19th November 2026 for the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IISER Kolkata) Senior Project Associate post under advertisement No. ANRF/ARG/2025/005557/MS. The temporary project role is for Indian citizens with mathematics qualifications or a defended thesis, with preference for work in differential topology, differential geometry and algebraic topology. Eligible applicants must submit their application by email as described in the official notification PDF.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026: Short Details of Notification

This is a temporary project-based recruitment by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IISER Kolkata) for one Senior Project Associate position as per the official notification.

The post is advertised under No. ANRF/ARG/2025/005557/MS for a mathematics research project. As per the official notification, selection is only for Indian citizens and applications are accepted by email. The role suits mathematics graduates and thesis holders looking for short-term research work focused on topology and geometry. See the official website for the full advertisement text.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Important Dates

The recruitment schedule has only one closing date for applicants to track, as per the official notification.

There is no separate start date or fee-payment date mentioned. The closing date applies to the applicant's emailed application and also to receipt of reference letters sent directly by referees. Email delivery delays are counted against the applicant, so plan for the time needed to collect all attachments.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Application Fee

There is no application fee for this recruitment, as per the official notification.

The fee is Nil for all applicants, so no payment step, challan or transaction proof is involved. No category-wise fee structure applies here.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Age Limit and Relaxation

The upper age limit is 32 years as on the date of application, as per the official notification.

Relaxation up to 5 years is available for SC, ST, OBC, women and physically handicapped candidates. Because the cut-off is linked to the date of application rather than a fixed calendar date, eligibility shifts by the day the email is sent. Applicants claiming relaxation must be ready to support the category or status with valid proof.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Vacancy Details

There is a single vacancy for Senior Project Associate, as per the official notification.

The vacancy table shows no division by subject specialisation or category. With only one opening, shortlisting will depend closely on matching qualifications and the preferred research background.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Only Indian citizens who meet one of three alternative academic routes can apply, as per the official notification.

• Indian citizen
• Must satisfy one of: (1) Defended thesis in Mathematics OR (2) Four years bachelor's degree in mathematics and four years' experience in R&D in academic institutions OR (3) Master's degree in mathematics and two years' experience in R&D in academic institutions
• Research experience in differential topology, differential geometry and algebraic topology preferred

What the three routes mean in practice

The defended-thesis route is for those who have already defended a thesis in Mathematics; submission alone without defence does not fit this wording. The other two routes both require experience in R&D in academic institutions, meaning industry-only or teaching-only experience without an R&D component will not match.

Who is likely to be ruled out

A three-year bachelor's degree does not meet the four years bachelor's degree condition, even with extra experience. Similarly, a master's degree in a subject other than mathematics does not meet the stated requirement. Preference is given to research experience in differential topology, differential geometry and algebraic topology, so applicants outside these areas face stronger competition.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Selection Process

Selection is by shortlisting followed by an online interview on 24th November 2026, as per the official notification.

1. Shortlisting
2. Online interview (10 minutes research presentation followed by Q&A) on 24th November 2026

Interview format to prepare for

The online interview begins with a 10-minute research presentation followed by questions and answers. Shortlisted applicants should prepare a concise presentation that links past work to differential topology, geometry or algebraic topology where possible. Only shortlisted applicants will be called for this stage, and no other test or discussion round is mentioned.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Salary and Pay Scale

The selected candidate will receive Rs. 57,000/- plus 30% HRA, as per the official notification.

This is a consolidated project pay with house rent allowance calculated at the stated percentage. The notification does not link the pay to a regular pay matrix or grade pay, which is normal for a temporary project post.

How to Apply for IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026

Applications must be sent by email in the manner given in the official notification. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the IISER Kolkata official website and open the recruitment/advertisements section.
2. Download the notification No. ANRF/ARG/2025/005557/MS for Senior Project Associate and read the email instructions fully.
3. Prepare a CV, a research statement of no more than 2 pages, and a list of publications in PDF format.
4. Note the email address and subject-line format given in the notification for submission.
5. Send the email with all self-attachments before 19th November 2026.
6. Ask two referees to send their reference letters directly to the same address within the same deadline.
7. Keep the sent-mail copy and delivery confirmation for follow-up.

If any email address, subject line or project title detail is unclear, refer to the download notification and use exactly what it states.

Documents Required for IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026

Four sets of documents support the application, as listed in the official notification.

• Research statement (no more than 2 pages)
• CV
• List of publications
• Two letters of reference sent directly within deadline

Points that are easy to get wrong

The research statement must be limited to 2 pages, so an extended proposal or thesis chapter will not comply. The list of publications should be separate from the CV, not merged into it. Most important, the two letters of reference must be sent directly by the referees themselves within the deadline; letters forwarded by the applicant do not meet the stated condition.

IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate 2026 Important Links

All official actions for this recruitment run through the links shown in the table, as per the official notification.

Use the notification link for eligibility, email address, deadline and interview details, and the IISER Kolkata site link to verify that the advertisement is current. Do not rely on forwarded copies or job portals for submission details. The apply online portal in this case is the official PDF with the email procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the application by email is 19th November 2026.

Who is eligible for the Senior Project Associate post at IISER Kolkata?

Applicants must be Indian citizens and satisfy one of the prescribed Mathematics qualifications, namely a defended thesis, or a four-year bachelor's degree with four years of R&D experience in academic institutions, or a master's degree with two years of such experience. Research experience in differential topology, differential geometry and algebraic topology is preferred.

What is the application fee for IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate Recruitment 2026?

There is no application fee for this recruitment.

What salary will the selected Senior Project Associate receive?

The selected candidate will receive Rs. 57,000/- per month plus 30% HRA.

How do I apply for the IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate post?

Applications must be sent by email with a CV, a list of publications and a research statement of not more than 2 pages, while two reference letters must be sent directly within the deadline. Refer to the official notification at https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/web/assets/advertisements/1794308969_adv_somnath.basu_spa_nov_2026.pdf for the email address and submission details.

What is the selection process for IISER Kolkata Senior Project Associate Recruitment 2026?

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an online interview on 24th November 2026. The interview will consist of a 10-minute research presentation followed by questions and answers.