IISER Kolkata Assistant Professor Recruitment 2026 – 27 Vacancies

27 vacancies are now open under the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata Faculty Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. IISER-K/DoFA/2026/1 dated 01.06.2026). IISER Kolkata, an Institute of National Importance under Ministry of Education, seeks outstanding early-career researchers for Assistant Professor Grade-I and Grade-II positions. Departments include Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Computational & Data Sciences, Earth Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, and Physical Sciences. The application window closes on 30 June 2026 (5:30 PM IST). Candidates with a strong publication record in Q1 journals and a clear independent research vision are encouraged to apply.

Based on official notification by IISER Kolkata. Verified: June 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check – Faculty Positions

Expert note: For CDS and DMS, the publication requirement is lower: 3 Q1 first-author papers for Grade-II and 4 for Grade-I. Also, development efforts (technology, product, process) accepted as equivalent to one publication if peer-reviewed proof-of-concept exists.

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Important Dates – IISER Kolkata Faculty 2026

Apply well before the deadline – the online portal may experience heavy traffic in the final week. No extension will be granted.

Vacancy Breakdown – Department-wise & Category

Total 27 faculty positions are advertised. The official notification provides the following category distribution (subject to horizontal reservation for PwBD @4%):

Horizontal reservation: 4% of total posts (i.e., 1 post out of 27) are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The 7 additional vacancies beyond 20 likely account for department-specific requirements or future increases – candidates should refer to the official notice for exact departmental splits.

Competition insight: With only 27 positions across 7 departments, competition is extremely high. Typically IISER Kolkata receives 400-600 applications per faculty position. The selection ratio is roughly 1 in 15-20 shortlisted candidates. Candidates with Q1 first-author publications beyond the minimum (e.g., 8-10 papers) and external funding success have a significantly better chance.

Salary Structure & In-Hand Pay – Assistant Professor

Assumptions: DA @50% (projected 2026 rate), HRA @27% (X-class city – Kolkata), TA as per Level (₹3,600 for Level 12). NPS deduction = 10% of (Basic+DA). Actual in-hand may vary with city classification and other recoveries (income tax, professional tax).

Comparison: Compared to IIT assistant professors at same pay level (Level 12, basic ₹1,01,500), IISER Kolkata offers similar gross but the in-hand is slightly lower due to NPS (10% deduction) vs old pension scheme in some state universities. However, IISER provides higher startup grants (₹20-30 lakhs) and CPDA of ₹3 lakhs over 3 years – better research support than many central universities.

City-wise variation: Kolkata is an X-class city for HRA. Posting at IISER Mohanpur (within Kolkata metro) attracts 27% HRA. If any future campus outside metro, HRA would be 16% or 8% – a difference of up to ₹15,000 per month. Currently all positions are at Mohanpur campus.

Application Fee

No application fee is mentioned in the advertisement for faculty positions at IISER Kolkata. Candidates are not required to pay any fee for online application.

Age Limit

The official notification does not specify a maximum age limit for Assistant Professor positions. However, as per standard UGC/IISER norms, the upper age limit for direct recruitment of Assistant Professor is typically 35-40 years for Grade-II and 45-50 years for Grade-I, with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwD as per GoI rules. Candidates are advised to confirm from the Institute’s faculty recruitment rules.

Eligibility Criteria – Grade & Department Wise

Specific credentials per department: For DBS – Chemical Biology, Bioinformatics, Physiology, Microbial Genetics, Developmental Biology, Biotechnology, Evolutionary Biology. For DCS – Chemical Biology, Ultrafast Spectroscopy, AI/ML in chemistry, Main group inorganic, Process chemistry & rare‑earth extraction, Membrane Science. For CDS – Data Science, NLP, AI, Quantum Computing, HPC, AI Governance. For DES – Geodynamics, Hydrogeology, Sedimentology, Micropaleontology, Marine Sciences, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Remote Sensing, Tectonics, Natural Resources, Climate Modelling, Reactive Transport, Geobiology. For HSS – Applied Economics / Econometrics, English. For DMS – Statistics & Probability, Representation Theory, Harmonic Analysis, Geometric Analysis, Differential Geometry, Algebraic Topology. For DPS – Atomic/Molecular/Optical physics, Quantum optics, Condensed matter, Gravitational physics, Astronomy/Astrophysics, Quantum information, Soft matter/Complex systems.

Final year PhD candidates: Not eligible unless degree is awarded before 30 June 2026. Candidates awaiting viva are not eligible.

Selection Process – Step by Step

Step 1: Application Screening by Department

Departmental Faculty Advisory Committee (DFAC) reviews all applications based on thrust area, research and academic performance, publication record (Q1 journals count and impact), and research statement quality.

Step 2: Shortlisting & Presentation

Shortlisted candidates are invited for a presentation and interaction with the faculty of the concerned department(s). This typically includes a research seminar followed by Q&A.

Step 3: Institute Faculty Advisory Committee (IFAC) Review

IFAC evaluates the DFAC recommendations and may shortlist further.

Step 4: Selection Committee Interview

Final selection via a duly constituted selection committee. Candidates may be asked to deliver a teaching demonstration.

Your first 7 days after applying:
1. Prepare a 3‑page research statement (current and future plans) and 1‑2 page teaching statement.
2. Verify that all uploaded documents (Q1 publication proofs, category certificates) are clear and valid.
3. Ensure your referees (minimum 3) are ready to send recommendation letters.
4. Check your email daily – shortlisting notifications go only via email.
5. Prepare a 30‑minute research presentation tailored to IISER’s interdisciplinary focus.

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How to Apply for IISER Kolkata Faculty 2026

1. Visit the official IISER Kolkata website: www.iiserkol.ac.in
2. Navigate to the “Career” section and click on “Faculty Recruitment 2026 – Advt. No. IISER-K/DoFA/2026/1”.
3. Register with your email ID and mobile number.
4. Fill the online application form – personal details, educational qualifications, post-PhD experience, publications (Q1 status, impact factor, co-first authors).
5. Upload scanned copies: photograph, signature, PhD certificate, mark sheets, category certificates (if applicable), and list of publications with Q1 indexing proof.
6. Upload required statements: Research statement (max 3 pages), Teaching and Mentoring statement (1-2 pages), Service statement (1 page).
7. Provide three referee names with full contact details and affiliations.
8. Submit the application before 30 June 2026 (5:30 PM IST). No fee payment required.

Frequently Asked Questions – IISER Kolkata Faculty 2026

1. What is the approximate in-hand salary for IISER Kolkata Assistant Professor after NPS deduction?

For Grade-II (Level 10): approximately ₹64,500 per month. For Grade-II after one year (Level 11): ₹68,000. For Grade-I (Level 12): ₹1,15,000. For Grade-I after 3 years (Level 13A1): ₹1,32,500. These figures assume 50% DA, 27% HRA (Kolkata), and 10% NPS deduction.

2. What is the last date to apply for IISER Kolkata faculty recruitment 2026?

30 June 2026, 5:30 PM IST. No extension will be granted. Applications must be submitted online; incomplete applications will be rejected.

3. How many total vacancies are there and which departments?

Total 27 vacancies across 7 departments: Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Computational & Data Sciences, Earth Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences (Economics & English), Mathematics & Statistics, and Physical Sciences. Category-wise: UR 12, SC 2, OBC-NCL 4, EWS 2, with horizontal reservation for PwD.

4. Is postdoctoral experience mandatory for Assistant Professor Grade-II?

Yes, most thrust areas require minimum 3 years of dedicated postdoctoral research experience in the relevant field (excluding PhD tenure). For CDS and DMS, the notification does not explicitly state postdoc requirement but it is strongly preferred.

5. What is meant by “Q1 journal” and how is it verified?

Q1 refers to the top 25% of journals in a given subject category based on Scopus SJR or Clarivate JCR quartile. Candidates must indicate the Q status and impact factor for each publication. If unavailable, it should be clearly stated. The Institute may verify using Scopus.

6. Can OBC candidates apply with certificate from state list?

No. IISER Kolkata follows the Central list for OBC. Your caste must be in the central OBC list (available at ncbc.nic.in). Also, you must have a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate for 2025-26 issued on or after 1 April 2026.

7. Is there any age relaxation for SC/ST/PwD?

Although no specific age limit is mentioned in the advertisement, as per GoI norms for central educational institutions, SC/ST get 5 years relaxation, OBC 3 years, and PwD 10 years over the general upper age limit (typically 40 years for Grade-II and 45 for Grade-I). Candidates should check with the Institute for exact policy.

8. What is the selection process – is there a written test?

No written test. Selection involves screening of applications, shortlisting by Departmental Faculty Advisory Committee, followed by a research presentation/interaction with department faculty, and finally an interview by the Institute Selection Committee.

9. Are foreign nationals eligible to apply?

Yes, foreign nationals can apply for a fixed period on contract basis. Regular faculty positions are open only to Indian Nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

10. What are the fringe benefits besides salary?

Benefits include LTC, Children Education Allowance, medical reimbursement, CPDA of ₹3 lakhs over 3 years, relocation charges, startup research grant, computers, telephone bill reimbursement, and state-of-the-art lab facilities.