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
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | National Institute of Technology Rourkela |
| Advertisement number | NITR / SR / 2026 / Advt.- 26FP002 / L / 086, dated 29.10.2026 |
| Post | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) |
| Total vacancies | 01 (One) |
| Fellowship | INR 37,000.00 per month (Year 1 & 2) |
| Upper age limit | 28 years |
| How to apply | By email, as a single PDF |
| Start date | 29.10.2026 |
| Last date | 12.11.2026 |
| Selection | Shortlisting and online interview |
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project title | Improved Technology and Process for Parboiled Rice and Selected Extruded Products |
| Project code | SR/26/FP/002 |
| Project closing date | 24.03.2028 |
| Department | Food Process Engineering |
| Funding agency | IIT Kharagpur |
| Principal Investigator | Prof. Chandrakant Genu Dalbhagat |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Prof. Shubham Mahendra Nimbkar |
| Post | Vacancies | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 01 (One) | INR 37,000.00 per month (Year 1 & 2) |
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PWD / Female | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| Interview detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online |
| Date | 16.11.2026 |
| Time | 10:00 AM |
| Department | Department of Food Process Engineering |
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.
| Post Designation | Target Discipline / Field | Vacancies | Required Academic Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | Food Process Engineering & Allied Fields | 1 | B.Tech with M.Tech in Food Process Engineering, Food Technology, Agricultural Engineering, or related fields with minimum 6.5 CGPA or 60% aggregate. |
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?
Critical Disqualification Warnings: NIT Rourkela has outlined strict rejection criteria in its recruitment guidelines. Avoid these common mistakes to protect your candidature:
- Sending application documents as separate, unmerged files instead of a single consolidated PDF will lead to immediate rejection.
- Failing to mention the exact advertisement number 26FP002 in the email subject line can cause your application to be disqualified.
- Submitting applications after the deadline of 12 November 2026 will not be entertained under any circumstances.
- Any suppression, distortion, or falsification of personal or educational information will result in immediate cancellation of candidature or termination of joining.
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.
