CSIR-NEIST Jorhat Project Staff Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 12/2026-27-HRD) – 03 Project Staff Posts (Project Associate-I and Project/Field Assistant) | Apply Online by 4 September 2026

CSIR - North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, a constituent establishment of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and a National R&D Institute of India, has issued Advertisement No. 12/2026-27-HRD dated 21 July 2026 inviting online applications for the engagement of Project Staff under the Smart Village Mission Project (Project No. MMP-045201). A total of three (03) posts are to be filled on a purely temporary basis for a specific project period, and interested eligible candidates are required to apply online through the official CSIR-NEIST recruitment portal.

Located at Jorhat - 785 006 in the state of Assam, CSIR-NEIST is a multidisciplinary research institute whose research portfolio spans the Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Materials Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Geological Sciences and Advanced Computation and Data Sciences. The institute is equipped with sophisticated state-of-the-art analytical and other equipment to carry out research activities in frontier areas of science and technology, and presently a wide range of research activities are being conducted under CSIR projects as well as externally funded projects. The present recruitment is intended to fulfil the requirement of Project Staff with the specializations described below for the Smart Village Mission Project.

The engagement of all Project Staff under this advertisement is purely temporary in nature and is co-terminus with the duration of the project, which is stated as up to 31 March 2028. It will not confer any right of regularization in the institute, and the maximum tenure of any project staff member will be six (6) years, considering engagement in different projects either in the same institute or different institutes of CSIR. Candidates who are interested and eligible must submit their applications online through the official portal by the closing date of 4 September 2026 up to 2:00 PM.

Number of Vacancies and Distribution of Posts

Three separate posts are advertised under the three distinct Post Codes, with one (01) vacancy under each Post Code, making a total of three (03) positions. The first post, designated Post Code 01, is for one (01) Project Associate-I (PAT-I) in the field of Mechanical Engineering. The second post, designated Post Code 02, is for one (01) Project Associate-I (PAT-I) in the field of Botany. The third post, designated Post Code 03, is for one (01) Project Assistant / Field Assistant in the field of Industrial Production Engineering / Mechanical Engineering. All three posts are attached to the Smart Village Mission Project and are required for the smooth execution of the project deliverables as per the project period.

Candidates must note that for each Post Code, a separate application must be submitted. In other words, a candidate who wishes to apply for more than one post must submit a distinct online application for each Post Code. The shortlisting and selection will be done separately for each Post Code based on the essential and desirable qualifications indicated against the respective Post Code.

Post-wise Essential and Desirable Qualifications

The essential qualifications differ for each Post Code. For Post Code 01, the essential qualification is a BE or B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering, or alternatively an ME or M.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering. Candidates holding either of these degrees at the required level are eligible to apply for this post. The desirable qualification for Post Code 01 is knowledge of technology deployment in rural areas, which reflects the rural focus of the Smart Village Mission Project.

For Post Code 02, the essential qualification is an M.Sc degree in Botany with specialization in Plant Taxonomy and/or Ethnobotany. The desirable qualification for this post is experience in the area of MAPs (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) cultivation and field visits, which is relevant to the botanical and ethnobotanical research component of the project.

For Post Code 03, the essential qualification is a 3-year Diploma in Industrial Production Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. The desirable qualification for this post is knowledge of technology deployment in rural areas. The field assistant component of this role is expected to support the deployment of technology and the field operations of the project in rural locations.

Age Limit, Emoluments and Allowances

The maximum age limit for applying to all three posts is 35 years. The maximum age is calculated taking the closing date of the advertisement into consideration, and is relaxable for SC/ST/OBC/PWD/Women candidates as per the rules of the Government of India and CSIR issued from time to time. Candidates should carefully ascertain their eligibility on the age parameter before submitting their application.

The monthly emoluments differ by post and by the qualification of the candidate. For Post Code 01 and Post Code 02 (Project Associate-I), the emolument is Rs. 31,000 per month plus HRA for candidates who are qualified in CSIR-UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET or GATE, and Rs. 25,000 per month plus HRA for candidates who do not hold such NET or GATE qualification. For Post Code 03 (Project Assistant/Field Assistant), the emolument is Rs. 20,000 per month plus HRA. No application fee is required to be paid by candidates for any of these posts.

Application Process and Portal Details

The last date for submission of applications through the online portal is 4 September 2026 up to 2:00 PM. The link for the online application is available on the CSIR-NEIST website along with the advertisement, and candidates may click on the "CLICK HERE TO APPLY" option for submission of their application. The direct link for the online application portal is https://neist.res.in/prostaff/.

Candidates who meet the qualification of the concerned Post Code must click on the relevant "POST NAME" to apply. Once the application is submitted, a Registration Number will be generated and displayed on the computer screen. This Registration Number will not be sent to the candidate's mobile number or email address, and candidates are therefore advised to note down and keep the Registration Number safe along with the Advertisement Number and Post Code for all future correspondence. Candidates are also requested to download the registration form from the "DOWNLOAD" section of the portal and submit a signed copy at the time of the interview.

Applicants are requested to carefully follow the instructions provided below the boxes while filling in the online form. Each applicant should ensure that the information entered is accurate, complete and consistent with the supporting documents, as shortlisting and selection will be based primarily on academic performance and experience declared in the application.

Selection Process, Shortlisting and Interview

The applicants will be subjected to shortlisting by the Project Team, which will be based on academic performance and experience. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an offline interview to be held at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat. The list of shortlisted candidates along with the final date and time of the interview will be uploaded on the CSIR-NEIST website.

Candidates attending the interview are required to bring with them all original testimonials, including mark sheets and certificates, and also a clear photograph on the date of the interview, failing which their candidature may not be considered. Candidates must have working knowledge of computers for day-to-day work, as proficiency in computer operations is essential for these project roles.

During selection, due weightage will be given to the academic performance and experience of the candidates. No TA/DA will be paid to candidates for attending the interview, although the rules governing reimbursement, if any, will be as per the policy of the institute. Candidates who have already result-awaited status are not eligible to apply, and candidates are advised to apply only if they have completed the required qualifications.

Terms and Conditions of Engagement

Several general guidelines and terms apply to this recruitment. The duration of the project may be extended or curtailed depending upon the grant of the funding agency. Project Staff presently working in CSIR-NEIST must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for applying to other project vacancies. The engagement is purely temporary for a specific period and is co-terminus with the duration of the project, and it will not confer any right of regularization in the institute.

The maximum tenure of engagement of a project staff member is six (6) years, considering engagement in different projects either in the same institute or in different institutes of CSIR. Project Staff may be allowed to pursue their PhD work based on CSIR guidelines and with the approval of the Competent Institute Authority (CIA). No TA/DA will be paid to candidates for the interview. Result-awaited candidates need not apply.

The recruitment of any post may be kept in abeyance or cancelled at any moment without any notice due to any administrative reason. The waitlisted panel, where constituted, will be valid for one (1) year from the date of notification. The selected candidates are expected to join immediately upon selection. The decision of the institute in all matters relating to this recruitment will be final and binding on all candidates.

About CSIR-NEIST and the Smart Village Mission Project

CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat is one of the premier national research institutes of the North Eastern region of India and functions as a constituent establishment of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. The institute conducts multidisciplinary research and development in chemistry, biology, materials, engineering, geology and computation, and plays an important role in the scientific and technological development of the entire northeastern region.

The Smart Village Mission Project (Project No. MMP-045201) is an externally funded project being executed by the institute. The project focuses on the design, development and deployment of appropriate technologies and solutions for rural and semi-urban areas of the northeastern region, combining engineering innovation with traditional botanical knowledge. The Project Associate-I posts (Mechanical and Botany) and the Project Assistant/Field Assistant post will collectively support the technical, botanical and field deployment activities of the project.

For candidates from Assam and the surrounding northeastern states, working with CSIR-NEIST offers an invaluable opportunity to contribute to a national R&D institute while remaining close to home. The engagement provides competitive emoluments with HRA, exposure to a state-of-the-art research environment, and the chance to work on a project with direct social impact on rural communities. Project Staff may also pursue doctoral research with the approval of the institute, opening the door to a longer academic career within the CSIR system.

Key Information at a Glance

• Recruiting Organization: CSIR - North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), a National R&D Institute of CSIR
• Location: Jorhat, Assam - 785 006, India
• Advertisement: Advt. No. 12/2026-27-HRD dated 21 July 2026
• Project: Smart Village Mission Project (Project No. MMP-045201)
• Total Posts: 03 (one under each Post Code)
• Post Code 01: Project Associate-I (Mechanical) – 1 post
• Post Code 02: Project Associate-I (Botany) – 1 post
• Post Code 03: Project Assistant / Field Assistant – 1 post
• Employment Type: Temporary, project-based (co-terminus up to 31 March 2028)
• Essential Qualification: Post Code 01 – BE/B.Tech or ME/M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering; Post Code 02 – M.Sc Botany (Plant Taxonomy/Ethnobotany); Post Code 03 – 3-year Diploma in Industrial Production/Mechanical Engineering
• Emoluments: Post Code 01 & 02 – Rs. 31,000/month + HRA (NET/GATE qualified) or Rs. 25,000/month + HRA (others); Post Code 03 – Rs. 20,000/month + HRA
• Maximum Age: 35 years (relaxable for SC/ST/OBC/PWD/Women as per rules)
• Application Fee: No fee
• Selection: Shortlisting by Project Team followed by offline interview at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat
• Mode of Application: Online only at https://neist.res.in/prostaff/
• Last Date: 4 September 2026 up to 2:00 PM

Candidates interested in contributing to rural technology deployment and botanical research through a prestigious national R&D institute should read the full advertisement carefully, confirm their eligibility against the specific Post Code, and submit their online application well before the closing date to avoid any last-minute technical difficulty with the portal.