Junior Research Fellow Recruitment: VIT Vellore

Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, presents a high-impact research opportunity for biomedical scientists specialising in exosome biology and molecular therapeutics. The School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST) invites applications for one JRF position under an ANRF Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant-funded project investigating miR146a-loaded exosomes for targeted diabetic wound healing. Candidates holding an M.Tech or M.Sc in Biotechnology or Biochemistry with GATE/NET qualification or two years of relevant research experience meet the eligibility criteria. The online application deadline is April 18, 2026.

Job Summary

Field	Details
Organization Name	Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore
Post Name	Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Job Category	Research Fellowship — ANRF-PM-ECRG Funded (Temporary)
Application Mode	Online (careers.vit.ac.in) + Email PDF Application
Job Location	Vellore, Tamil Nadu – 632 014

Department & Job Title

Department / School	Job Title
Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST)	Junior Research Fellow (JRF)

Eligibility & Academic Criteria

Educational Qualification

• JRF (Essential): Candidates must hold an M.Tech or M.Sc in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or an equivalent discipline.
• JRF (Preferred): Candidates must carry a currently valid GATE score or qualify CSIR-UGC NET including lectureship (Assistant Professorship); two years of project-relevant research experience serves as an accepted alternative.
• JRF (Mandatory Skills): Candidates must demonstrate knowledge in exosome extraction and purification, recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, and mammalian cell culture techniques.

Experience

• JRF: Candidates without GATE/NET must hold a minimum of 2 years of directly relevant research experience to qualify.
• JRF (Desirable): Prior hands-on work in exosome characterisation, microRNA biology, wound healing models, or IRAK1 signalling pathway research will considerably strengthen the candidate’s profile.

Salary & Pay

The selected fellow will receive a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 plus House Rent Allowance as per prevailing rules.

Post	Stipend	HRA	Total Monthly
Junior Research Fellow (JRF)	₹37,000	As per rule	₹37,000 + HRA

Selection Process

• The careers portal at careers.vit.ac.in receives and screens online applications alongside the emailed PDF application package
• The Principal Investigator shortlists eligible candidates based on academic qualifications, GATE/NET scores or research experience, and mandatory technical skills
• VIT Vellore campus hosts the offline personal interview — the PI communicates the date and venue to shortlisted candidates via email
• The selection panel conducts document verification at the time of interview
• The institute pays no Travel Allowance (TA) or Daily Allowance (DA) for candidates attending the interview

Application Procedure

1. Visit careers.vit.ac.in and complete the online application form before April 18, 2026.
2. Compile a single PDF containing: a detailed CV, attested copies of all academic certificates, a statement of purpose articulating your motivation for working on this specific research project, and one recent passport-size photograph.
3. Email the compiled PDF to deepankumar.k@vit.ac.in with the subject line: “Application for the SERB project JRF” — any other subject line risks the application going unprocessed.
4. Complete both steps — online application and email submission — as the PI will not consider partial applications.
5. Confirm your age eligibility (18–27 years) and qualification before applying, since the selection committee will reject ineligible applications outright.
6. Monitor your inbox regularly after submission, as the PI notifies shortlisted candidates of the offline interview date, time, and venue exclusively via email.
7. Plan to join at the earliest possible date post-selection, as the institute expects immediate joining from the selected candidate.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Posted On	April 10, 2026
Application Start Date	April 10, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online & Email	April 18, 2026
Interview Date	PI intimates shortlisted candidates via email

Important Links

Resource	Link
Apply Online	Click Here
Official Notification / Job Posting	Click Here
Official Website	vit.ac.in

Contact

Field	Details
Principal Investigator	Dr. Kanagavel Deepankumar, Associate Professor – Grade I
Department	Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST)
Institution Address	Vellore Institute of Technology, Tiruvalam Road, Katpadi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu – 632 014
Application Email	deepankumar.k@vit.ac.in
Interview Communication	PI contacts shortlisted candidates via email only

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 at VIT Vellore involve?
VIT Vellore’s Department of Biotechnology seeks one Junior Research Fellow to drive an ANRF Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant-funded project. Specifically, this Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 targets researchers in miR146a-loaded exosome biology, where the fellow will investigate a suckerin patch delivery system for targeted diabetic wound healing through IRAK1 suppression — a frontier area bridging RNA therapeutics, biomaterial engineering, and regenerative medicine.

2. What age limit does VIT Vellore set for this JRF post?
The institute requires candidates to fall strictly between 18 and 27 years of age at the time of application. Notably, candidates exceeding 27 years do not qualify regardless of their academic credentials or research depth, and the selection committee will not process their applications.

3. Does a candidate without GATE or NET qualify for this JRF position?
Yes – candidates who do not hold a valid GATE score or CSIR-UGC NET qualification can still qualify. Consequently, two years of directly relevant research experience serves as a valid alternative, provided the candidate meets all remaining eligibility criteria including the mandatory technical skills and the age limit.

4. What must the email application to the PI include?
The candidate must consolidate all documents into a single PDF – a detailed CV, attested academic and experience certificates, a statement of purpose addressing their motivation for contributing to this diabetic wound healing project, and a recent passport-size photograph. Furthermore, the subject line must read exactly: “Application for the SERB project JRF” – any deviation risks the PI overlooking the application entirely.

5. Does the JRF appointment at VIT guarantee extension beyond two years or lead to PhD enrolment?
The appointment runs for a fixed 24-month duration under SERB/ANRF terms and conditions, and VIT makes no automatic guarantee of extension or permanent employment beyond the project period. Nevertheless, earning JRF experience under an ANRF-PM-ECRG grant significantly elevates a researcher’s academic profile, and direct mentorship from a ranked institution’s PI builds a compelling foundation for candidates pursuing a PhD or postdoctoral career path.