Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, has released advertisement Advt. No. 84/2026 for the temporary contractual recruitment of Research Associate-I positions. Eligible candidates with a Ph.D. or those awaiting their Ph.D. defense in Life Sciences/Agricultural Sciences can submit their applications online before the closing date.
Job Overview
| Category | Details |
| Institute Name | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati |
| Advertisement No. | 84 / 2026 |
| Post Name | Research Associate-I |
| Number of Vacancies | 02 Posts |
| Research Area | Plant Biology / Agricultural Biotechnology |
| Principal Investigator | Dr. Eswarayya Ramireddy |
| Tenure | 1 Year (Extendable by 12 months based on performance review) |
| Application Mode | Online (Google Form) |
| Application Deadline | October 15, 2026, by 05:00 PM |
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 across biological sciences, plant functional genomics, structural biology, and agricultural biotechnology.
Project Details & Research Focus
The selected Research Associates will work under the leadership of Dr. Eswarayya Ramireddy on the following research projects:
- Project – 1 (Code: 30326264):SEED-DSR: Seedling and Root Engineering for Efficiency (Nutrient and Water) and Drought/Heat Resilience in Direct-Seeded Rice
- Project – 2 (Code: 30326255):Developing genome-edited population in mega indica rice background to address food and nutritional security ad climate change concerns
Qualification & Experience Requirements
Educational Qualifications
- Essential: Ph.D. degree in any area of Life Sciences or Agricultural Sciences.
- Awaiting Degree: Candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis and are awaiting final defense/viva-voce may also apply.
- Research Evidence: Proven record of high-quality research demonstrated through publications or project outputs during/after Ph.D.
- Desirable Experience: Experience in rice/tomato functional genomics, field phenotyping, gene editing (monocots/dicots), and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.
Age Limit
- Maximum 35 years as of the closing date of the advertisement (15th October 2026).
Fellowship & Remuneration
- With Ph.D. Certificate:₹58,000/- per month + HRA (as per sanction order).
- Ph.D. Defense Pending:₹42,000/- per month + HRA (Requires a letter from a competent authority stating thesis submission and pending viva/defense).
Key Responsibilities
- Functional Genomics & Phenotyping: Conduct high-throughput root/seedling architectural characterization and abiotic stress resilience trials (drought/heat) in rice.
- Genome Editing & Transformation: Execute CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing pipelines and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocols in crop plants (rice/tomato).
- Student Mentorship & Lab Management: Assist in research coordination and mentor undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. students working in the laboratory.
Official Application Links & Download Center
Having reviewed the job specifications, project scope, and eligibility requirements above, you can access the official notification documents and submission portals below:
- Official Job Portal Page:IISER Tirupati Advt 84/2026 Page
- Official PDF Advertisement:Download Advt 84/2026 PDF
- Online Application Google Form:Apply via Official Google Form
- Application Form Document Template:Download Application Word/Doc Template
How to Apply & Submission Instructions
Eligible candidates must complete the prescribed application form and submit it via the official Google Form link before the deadline:
- Download the prescribed application document template from the Official Doc Link.
- Fill out all required details accurately and convert the completed document into PDF format.
- Upload and submit the PDF form through the IISER Tirupati Application Google Form before October 15, 2026, by 5:00 PM.
- Note: Sending CVs/resumes solely by email will not be considered a valid or complete application.
Telegram Channel:Click Here to Join
| WhatsApp Group:Click Here to Join
Skills You’ll Gain
| Category | Specific Tools & Competencies Mastered |
| Gene Editing Technologies | CRISPR/Cas Constructs, Target Site Validation, Monocot/Dicot Editing Workflows. |
| Plant Transformation & Phenotyping | Agrobacterium-Mediated Rice/Tomato Transformation, Root Engineering, Drought/Heat Stress Assays. |
| Grant & Fellowship Mobility | Support in applying for DST-ANRF N-PDF, DBT-RA, CSIR-RA, and ICMR postdoctoral fellowships. |
Frequently Asked Interview Questions (With Answers & Solution Guidelines)
CRISPR/Cas Systems in Crop Engineering
- Question:“How do you design and validate guide RNAs (sgRNAs) for CRISPR/Cas9 knockout targeting gene families in polyploid or complex plant genomes like rice?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Utilize bioinformatic tools (such as CRISPR-P or CRISPR-GE) to select high-efficiency sgRNAs with minimal off-target risks across the target gene family. Clone the sgRNA into a binary vector under a monocot-specific promoter (e.g., OsU6/OsU3). Validate cleavage efficiency in protoplasts via T7 Endonuclease I (T7E1) assays or amplicon deep sequencing prior to stable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.
Agrobacterium-Mediated Rice Transformation
- Question:“What are the critical rate-limiting steps during embryogenic callus induction and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in indica rice cultivars?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Key variables include selecting high-quality mature seed-derived embryogenic calli, maintaining optimal acetosyringone concentration (~100–200 µM) during co-cultivation, and regulating desiccation/browning during selection. Efficient antibiotic selection (e.g., hygromycin or phosphinothricin) paired with appropriate plant growth regulator ratios (2,4-D for callogenesis, kinetin/NAA for organogenesis) ensures high regeneration frequency.