Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, an Autonomous Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, invites applications from eligible Indian nationals for the post of Junior Research Fellow / Project Associate-I. This temporary contractual position is under a Coefficient Giving-funded project focused on developing novel antiviral platforms and identifying drugs against henipaviruses (such as Nipah virus and Hendra virus).
Job Details
| Attribute | Information |
| Hiring Institution | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati |
| Advertisement No. | Advt. No. 79/2026 |
| Name of the Post | Junior Research Fellow / Project Associate-I |
| Project Title | “To develop novel antiviral platforms and identify drugs against henipaviruses such as Nipah virus and Hendra virus” |
| Funding Agency / Project Code | Coefficient Giving (Project Code: 30523176) |
| Principal Investigator | Prof. Guruprasad R. Medigeshi |
| No. of Posts | 01 Position |
| Tenure | Initial offer for 6 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance (co-terminus with project) |
| Upper Age Limit | Not more than 50 years on the date of the interview |
| Job Location | IISER Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Application Deadline | October 09, 2026 by 5:00 PM IST |
About Institution
IISER Tirupati is a premier autonomous science education and research institute established by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. The institute fosters cutting-edge research in life sciences, virology, molecular biology, and drug discovery. Selected candidates are also eligible to apply for the regular Ph.D. program at IISER Tirupati, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
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Key Responsibilities
- Antiviral Assay Development: Assist in developing high-throughput screening platforms and testing lead drug compounds against henipaviruses.
- Cell Culture & Virology Techniques: Perform mammalian cell line maintenance, viral growth kinetics, plaque reduction assays, and neutralization assays.
- Molecular & Protein Techniques: Execute recombinant protein expression, purification, Western blotting, cloning, and nucleic acid extractions to support project goals.
How to Apply & Registration Details
Eligible candidates must complete the prescribed application form and submit it via email before the closing deadline:
- Official Application Link:View IISER Tirupati Advt 79/2026 Details
- Official Advertisement PDF:Download Advt 79/2026 PDF
Email Application Instructions:
- Download the application form from the official advertisement link.
- Duly fill out the form and convert it into a single PDF document.
- Email to:
projectstaffrecruitment@labs.iisertirupati.ac.in - Subject Line Format:
Application for the post of Junior Research Fellow / Project Associate-I - Advt 79/2026 - Application Deadline:October 09, 2026 by 5:00 PM IST
Fellowship & Remuneration
- JRF Rate (NET / GATE Qualified):₹37,000/- per month + 9% HRA for scholars qualified through CSIR-UGC NET (including Lectureship/Assistant Professorship), GATE, or central government agency national examinations.
- Project Associate-I Rate (Non-NET / Non-GATE):₹30,000/- per month + 9% HRA for candidates who do not possess national test scores.
Qualification & Experience Requirements
Minimum Essential Qualifications
- 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences OR
- Master’s degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences OR
- BVSc / B.Pharm OR
- Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering / Biotechnology / Medicine from a recognized University or equivalent.
Desirable Experience
- Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture techniques and virus-based assays.
- Technical knowledge of recombinant protein expression and purification pipelines.
- Practical knowledge in core molecular biology workflows (PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis).
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Skills You’ll Gain
| Category | Specific Tools & Competencies Mastered |
| Virology & Antivirals | Henipavirus Platform Screening, Plaque Reduction Assays, Neutralization Studies. |
| Cell Culture & Molecular Tools | Mammalian Cell Maintenance, Gene Cloning, Western Blotting, Recombinant Protein Purification. |
| Academic Progression | Opportunity to align research for entry into IISER Tirupati Ph.D. programs. |
Frequently Asked Interview Questions (With Answers & Solution Guidelines)
Henipavirus Biology & Antiviral Screening
- Question:“What structural features of Henipaviruses (Nipah & Hendra) make their attachment and fusion glycoproteins (G and F) prime targets for entry inhibitor screening?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Henipaviruses belong to the Paramyxoviridae family and enter host cells via attachment of the G protein to ephrin-B2/B3 receptors, triggering conformational changes in the F protein to mediate membrane fusion. Screening platforms targeting G-ephrin binding or preventing F protein conformational shifts effectively block viral entry prior to replication.
Cell Culture & Plaque Reduction Assays
- Question:“How do you design a cell-based assay to determine the IC50 of a potential small-molecule inhibitor against a viral pathogen?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Seed susceptible mammalian cells (e.g., Vero E6) to confluence in 96-well or 24-well plates. Treat cells with serial dilutions of the candidate inhibitor, infect with the target virus at a fixed MOI, and incubate. Measure viral load reduction using plaque assays, TCID50, or reporter gene expression, then plot percent inhibition against log compound concentration to calculate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration ($\text{IC}_{50}$).