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 Project Associate-II / Senior Research Fellow (SRF) under a Department of Biotechnology (DBT), MoST funded project.
Job Details
| Attribute | Information |
| Hiring Institution | IISER Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh |
| Advt. No. | 72/2026 |
| Open Position | Project Associate-II / Senior Research Fellow (SRF) |
| No. of Posts | 01 Position |
| Project Title | Unravel the functional role of MYB96 transcription factors for improvement of drought tolerance and oil content in oilseed crops Indian mustard and groundnut |
| Project Description | Generate transgenic groundnut lines for trait improvement |
| Funding Agency | Department of Biotechnology (DBT), MoST, Govt. of India |
| Principal Investigator | Dr. Swarup Roy Choudhury |
| Project Code | 30326261 |
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹42,000/- p.m. + 10% HRA (CSIR/UGC/DBT NET-JRF, GATE or National Level Exam qualified) ₹33,000/- p.m. + 10% HRA (For candidates without national exam qualification) |
| Tenure | Initial offer for 6 months; renewable subject to performance (Co-terminus with project) |
| Upper Age Limit | Maximum 50 years (as of closing date) |
| Application Deadline | September 23, 2026 by 5:00 PM |
| Tentative Interview Date | September 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM (Online / Interview details via email) |
About Institution
IISER Tirupati is a premier autonomous research and education institute established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to advance high-quality basic and interdisciplinary scientific research across various scientific disciplines.
Telegram Channel: Click Here to Join
Job Description
The Project Associate-II / SRF will drive research focused on molecular plant biology and genetic transformation. The primary objective is generating and evaluating transgenic groundnut lines expressing MYB96 transcription factors to enhance drought tolerance and optimize seed oil accumulation.
Requirements & Required Qualifications
1. Essential Qualification
- 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences, OR
- M.Sc. in Botany / Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Biochemistry / Agricultural Sciences / Plant Sciences (or equivalent degree).
- Work Experience: Minimum 2 years of post-qualification research and development experience in industrial/academic institutions, scientific organizations, or technical services.
2. Desirable Criteria
- Proven research hands-on experience in Plant Tissue Culture and Plant Molecular Biology.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Plant Transformation & Tissue Culture: Generate, regenerate, and establish transgenic lines of groundnut using tissue culture methods.
- Molecular Validation: Execute PCR, RT-qPCR, Southern blot analysis, and gene expression profiling of MYB96 transcription factors in transgenic lines.
- Phenotypic Screening: Asses drought stress physiology, lipid profiles, and oil yield parameters in transformed oilseed crops.
WhatsApp Group: Click Here to Join
Skills You’ll Gain
| Category | Specific Tools & Competencies Mastered |
| Plant Biotechnology | Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation, Plant Tissue Culture, Regeneration Protocols. |
| Molecular Biology | RNA/DNA Extraction, Quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-qPCR), Gene Vector Cloning. |
| Crop Physiology & Biochemistry | Drought Tolerance Assays, Lipid & Oil Content Profiling, Transcription Factor Analytics. |
Application Procedure & Selection Process
Application Instructions
- Download the prescribed application form available on the official institute portal.
- Fill out the application completely and convert the document to PDF format.
- Email the completed PDF application directly to
srchoudhury@labs.iisertirupati.ac.in. - Subject Line: Ensure you state the post name clearly in the email subject line (e.g., “Application for Project Associate-II – Advt 72/2026”).
- Deadline: Send your application before 5:00 PM on September 23, 2026.
- Official Registration Link: IISER Tirupati Job Portal
Selection Details
- Shortlisted candidates will be informed exclusively via email for the interview (scheduled tentatively for September 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM).
- Verification of original certificates and testimonials will take place at a designated stage of recruitment.
- No TA/DA will be paid for attending the selection interview.
Frequently Asked Interview Questions (With Answers & Solution Guidelines)
Plant Transformation & Tissue Culture
- Question: “What are the primary bottlenecks in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of recalcitrant legume crops like groundnut, and how do you overcome them?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Discuss recalcitrance in tissue regeneration from explants (such as embryogenic axes or cotyledons). Explain strategies such as optimizing acetosyringone concentration during co-cultivation, utilizing optimal antibiotic selection agents (e.g., cefotaxime/hygromycin), adjusting tissue culture phytohormone ratios (auxin/cytokinin balance), and maintaining precise physical wounding protocols to boost transformation efficiency.
Transcription Factor Regulation in Stress Response
- Question: “How does the MYB96 transcription factor coordinate crosstalk between ABA signaling, drought tolerance, and lipid biosynthesis pathways?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Explain that MYB96 acts as a key molecular switch integrated into the Abscisic Acid (ABA) signaling pathway. Upon drought stress, ABA upregulates MYB96, which directly activates genes encoding cuticular wax biosynthetic enzymes and lipid accumulation regulators, thereby reducing transpiration loss and promoting oil content in crop tissues.