NIT Rourkela Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

Who Should Apply? (Quick Eligibility Check)

The National Institute of Technology Rourkela has officially released an employment notification under advertisement number NITR / SR / 2026 / Advt.- 26FP002 / L / 086 for engineering professionals seeking research careers. Candidates who hold specialized postgraduate qualifications in food engineering or allied agricultural disciplines can explore all latest Odisha Government Jobs and consider applying for this prestigious project fellowship.

Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown

The Department of Food Process Engineering is driving this initiative to support advanced sponsored research with a fixed contract duration of 1 Year and 5 Months. Applicants who want to build a solid scientific profile alongside higher studies can also review similar opportunities such as the NIT Delhi Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 recruitment details to compare project requirements.

What Posts Are Available? – Post & Discipline Breakdown

This recruitment drive aims to fill exactly 1 post for a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) position. The selected candidate will work directly under the Department of Food Process Engineering in Rourkela, Odisha, handling specific sponsored research assignments.

Candidates with prior research exposure or hands-on handling experience with twin-screw extruders, rice milling equipment, or paddy parboiling machinery will receive preferential consideration during the evaluation stages.

Who Is Eligible? – Education, Age & Domicile

To qualify for the Junior Research Fellow position at NIT Rourkela, candidates must meet strict academic and age benchmarks stipulated by the institute. Aspirants looking to check more Graduate jobs in Odisha should verify their eligibility credentials against the official parameters before applying.

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a B.Tech degree followed by an M.Tech in Food Process Engineering, Food Engineering and Technology, Food Technology, Processing and Food Engineering, Agricultural Process Engineering, Post Harvest Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or equivalent disciplines with a minimum CGPA of 6.5 out of 10.0 or 60% aggregate marks.
• Age Limit: The upper age limit is capped at 28 years as on 12 November 2026.
• Age Relaxations: Upper age limits are relaxed by 5 years for SC, ST, PwD, and Female candidates, and by 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) applicants in accordance with central guidelines.

What Is the Salary & Official Benefits?

Selected candidates will be appointed on a contractual basis for a total duration of 1 Year and 5 Months under a fixed fellowship model. There is no provision for automatic tenure extension beyond the specified project timeline.

• Stipend / Fellowship: A consolidated monthly fellowship of INR 37,000 per month is payable for Year 1 and Year 2.
• Pay Structure: Fixed Fellowship mode with no standard 7th CPC allowances, governed entirely by the funding agency norms and NIT Rourkela project guidelines.
• Employment Nature: Strictly temporary and project-linked contractual position stationed at Rourkela, Odisha.

Selection Process & Exam Pattern Breakdown

There is no written examination or computer-based test conducted for this position. The evaluation mechanism is entirely merit-driven and interview-oriented.

• Stage 1 (Shortlisting): Applications are meticulously scrutinized based on academic merit, performance records, and specific project requirements. Only eligible and shortlisted candidates make it to the interview round.
• Stage 2 (Online Interview): Shortlisted applicants will participate in an online interview scheduled for 16 November 2026. Final selection rests on interview performance and verification of credentials.

Important Dates & Schedule Guidance

Aspirants must keep track of the crucial timeline to ensure their submissions reach the respective authorities well before the deadline.

• Notification Release Date: 29 October 2026
• Application Submission Closing Date: 12 November 2026
• Online Interview Date: 16 November 2026

What Is the Application Fee & Payment Mode?

Candidates applying for the Junior Research Fellow post do not need to pay any processing fees.

• General / OBC / EWS / SC / ST / PwD: INR 0 (Fee Exempted)
• Payment Gateway / Mode: Not applicable since no fee is specified in the official notification.

How to Apply? (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)

Applications are accepted strictly via email in offline-to-digital format. Follow these steps carefully to complete your submission:

• Step 1: Visit the official website at nitrkl.ac.in and navigate to the homepage section under FACULTY & STAFF -> SRICCE -> Career -> Notices to download the official application form.
• Step 2: Fill out the prescribed application form completely and sign it manually.
• Step 3: Gather all supporting documents including educational marksheets, degree certificates (B.Tech, M.Tech), research papers (if any), experience letters, and a valid photo identity proof.
• Step 4: Combine the filled application form and all supporting documents into a single merged PDF file.
• Step 5: Email the single merged PDF to the Project Investigator (PI) and Co-PI, making sure to explicitly include the advertisement number (26FP002) in the email subject line on or before 12 November 2026.

What Can Get Your Application Rejected?

Editor's Key Advisory for Candidates

Applicants are strongly advised to review the Official Notification PDF thoroughly before preparing their submission. Ensure that scanned copies of your certificates are clear, legible, and correctly ordered inside the single PDF attachment. Keep your digital communication channels active as interview calls and further instructions will be communicated electronically.