Advertisement inviting applications for the position of a Junior Research Fellow in a Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India funded Project at Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata   Date: 14/01/2026

Applications are invited from highly motivated and eligible Indian citizens for the position of Junior Research Fellow in a Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India sponsored research project entitled “Physiological and chemical characterization of potential climate resilient bioenergy grasses ( Arundo donax and Coix lacryma-jobi) and exploration of their root associated cyanobacterial population to capture atmospheric CO₂" [Project number: BT/PR60029/CCU/173/5/2025]” , under the supervision of Dr. Malay Das (Principal Investigator, Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata) and Dr. Avishek Banik (Co-Principal Investigator, Institute of Health Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata).

Date, Time, and Venue of Interview:28 ^th Januuary, 2026, from 12:00 PM onwards. Conference room, Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata-700073, India.

Application process: The candidate must email i) their current CV including their contact number ii) a 1000-word research statement including any past research experience and motivation for this project iii) Name, email id, and phone number of at least one academic referee, who can provide feedback on their academic background, scanned copies of their mark sheets/certificates (class 10 onwards) and a Government-issued photo identity proof in a single PDF file (name the file e.g. DBT_JRF_Name of candidate) to the PI (malay.dbs@presiuniv.ac.in) and Co-PI (avishek.dbs@presiuniv.ac.in) before 26 ^th January, 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified by email to attend the interview.

Minimum Educational Qualifications Required:

Candidates should possess a postgraduate degree in Botany, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Microbiology or related fields, securing at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories) with CSIR/UGC/DBT National Eligibility Test (NET-LS)

The following qualifications are desirable but not mandatory:

a) Previous research experience on Plants and preferably plant ligno-cellulose biology

b) Evidence of good oral and written communication skills in English through presentation.

Job description: The fellow will be actively involved in conducting wet laboratory experiments on biomass pretreatment, saccharaification, fermentation, metagenome sequencing and related in silico work. Regular visit to fields for collection of plant and soil samples will also be required. The fellow will take part in publishing the scientific findings in reputed peer-reviewed international journals.

Enrolling for Ph.D.: The selected candidate may be allowed to enroll for Ph.D. program as per university rules.

Duration of project:Two years

Tenure of Assignment:Two years subject to the availability of funds by the funding agency.

Fellowship/Salary:Rs. 37000 + 27% HRA = Rs. 46,990 per month

Note:

1. No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview.

2. All the terms & conditions for this recruitment will be as per the guidelines of DBT and Presidency University Kolkata.

3. Students should provide the original certificates and mark sheets in support of educational qualifications at the time of joining for verification.

For further details please contact the PI (malay.dbs@presiuniv.ac.in) or Co-PI (avishek.dbs@presiuniv.ac.in) via email.