Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026 at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad – ANRF Sponsored Cybersecurity & AI Project
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Recruitment 2026 for Junior Research Fellow in an ANRF-funded Cybersecurity and AI project. Check eligibility, fellowship, and apply by 28 August 2026.
Post Date: 25th August 2026
Organization: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
About IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad is an Institute of National Importance known for its academic and research contributions in engineering, science, technology, management, and interdisciplinary areas.
About the Project
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad invites applications for 01 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) position under an ANRF-sponsored research project in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering.
Project Title
“Design and Development of an AI-Driven Offensive Reconnaissance Framework for Proactive Exposure Mapping and Risk Forecasting in India’s Critical Internet Infrastructure”
The project focuses on developing advanced cybersecurity solutions using AI, machine learning, Internet-scale reconnaissance, ethical hacking, honeypots, network analysis, and risk forecasting to study and proactively address vulnerabilities in critical Internet infrastructure.
Position Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute | IIT (ISM) Dhanbad |
| Department | Computer Science & Engineering |
| Position | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) |
| Vacancy | 1 |
| Sanction No. | ANRF/ECRG/2025/000131/ENS |
| IIT (ISM) Project No. | SRDIP 1351 G |
| Principal Investigator | Prof. Nikhil Tripathi |
| Fellowship – Years 1 & 2 | ₹37,000 + 20% HRA/month |
| Fellowship – Year 3 | ₹42,000 + 20% HRA/month |
| Maximum Tenure | 3 years or project completion |
| Age Limit | 35 years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 28th August 2026, 9:00 PM |
Essential Qualifications
Candidates should possess any of the following:
- B.E./B.Tech.
- M.E./M.Tech.
- MS
- MCA
- M.Sc.
Candidates must additionally possess either a GATE or NET qualification in the relevant discipline.
GATE Subjects
- Computer Science (CS)
- Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA)
- Electronics & Communication Engineering (EC)
- Electrical Engineering (EE)
NET Subjects
- Computer Science and Applications
- Electronic Science
- Mathematical Sciences
Desirable Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates with experience or knowledge in:
- Ethical hacking
- Network scanning and reconnaissance
- Internet measurement platforms
- Honeypot technologies
- Machine learning frameworks
- Python programming
- Linux-based environments
- Data processing and visualization
- Cybersecurity research
Certifications such as CEH, OSCP, or equivalent will also be advantageous.
Project Responsibilities
The selected JRF may work on several research activities, including:
- Ethical Internet-scale active measurements using ZMap and Masscan
- Integrating data from Censys, CAIDA Spoofer, RIPE RIS, RouteViews, and NVD
- Designing and deploying honeypots such as Cowrie and Dionaea
- Analysing attacker-behaviour signals
- Feature engineering using protocol and routing data
- Developing exposure-prediction models using Gradient Boosted Trees, GNNs, and LSTMs
- Building representative network topologies
- Conducting ns-3 simulations
- Developing visual analytics dashboards
- Preparing technical documentation and sector-specific mitigation guidelines
Fellowship / Salary
The selected candidate will receive:
First and Second Year:
₹37,000 + 20% HRA per month
Third Year:
₹42,000 + 20% HRA per month
The third-year fellowship will be applicable subject to successful assessment and continuation under the project.
Age Limit
The maximum age limit is 35 years.
Age relaxation may be applicable as per Government of India and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad rules.
Duration of Appointment
The appointment will be for a maximum period of 3 years or until completion of the project, whichever is earlier.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should complete the prescribed online application form and upload/provide all required supporting documents.
Online Application:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Vz0LceCzu8
Candidates should submit their applications before the deadline and ensure that all information and supporting documents are complete and accurate.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement / Project Date | 6th August 2026 |
| Post Date | 24th August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28th August 2026 |
| Closing Time | 9:00 PM |
Contact Details
Prof. Nikhil Tripathi
Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
Jharkhand – 826004, India
Email: nikhiltripathi@iitism.ac.in
Address
Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
Dhanbad, Jharkhand – 826004, India