BITS Pilani Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Recruitment 2026 – Chemical Engineering Research Project
BITS Pilani JRF Recruitment 2026: Apply for 1 Junior Research Fellow vacancy in Chemical Engineering at Goa Campus. Fellowship ₹37,000 + HRA for 2 years. Eligible candidates can apply by email or online before 1 November 2026.
Date Posted: 19 October 2026
Organization: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani
About BITS Pilani
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus, invites applications from eligible candidates for one Junior Research Fellow (JRF) position in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
The appointment is part of a research project supported under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) – Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) initiative.
The selected candidate will work on the project titled “Bio-Oil to Green Hydrogen Production and Scale-Up Demonstration.” The research focuses on sustainable hydrogen production from biomass-derived bio-oil through integrated thermochemical processes, process optimization and techno-economic evaluation.
The fellowship is ₹37,000 per month plus House Rent Allowance (HRA), as applicable, for an appointment period of two years.
BITS Pilani JRF Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani |
| Campus | K. K. Birla Goa Campus |
| Department | Chemical Engineering |
| Post Name | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) |
| Number of Vacancies | 01 |
| Project Title | Bio-Oil to Green Hydrogen Production and Scale-Up Demonstration |
| Funding Initiative | DST – Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) |
| Principal Investigator | Prof. Abhishek Sharma |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Prof. Pratik Sheth |
| Fellowship | ₹37,000 per month + HRA |
| Appointment Duration | 2 years |
| Job Location | BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, India |
| Application Mode | Online Form / Email |
| Application Deadline | 1 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST |
| Application Email | abhisheksharma@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in |
| Official Website | https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/ |
Project Details
Project Title: Bio-Oil to Green Hydrogen Production and Scale-Up Demonstration
Research Domain: Chemical Engineering, Green Hydrogen, Biomass Conversion and Sustainable Energy
Funding Initiative: DST – Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Abhishek Sharma
Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. Pratik Sheth
The project aims to develop and demonstrate an integrated thermochemical process for producing green hydrogen from biomass-derived bio-oil. It will focus on process development, system optimization, conversion efficiency and evaluation of the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of the technology.
Research Objectives
The selected Junior Research Fellow will contribute to research activities intended to:
- Develop an integrated thermochemical process for green hydrogen production.
- Convert biomass-derived bio-oil into hydrogen.
- Design and optimize oxy-steam gasification systems.
- Improve the efficiency of bio-oil-to-hydrogen conversion.
- Conduct techno-economic assessments of the proposed process.
- Perform life-cycle assessments to evaluate environmental impacts and commercial viability.
- Support the development and scale-up demonstration of sustainable hydrogen production technologies.
Essential Educational Qualifications
Candidates must possess either of the following:
- A postgraduate degree in Basic Science; or
- A graduate or postgraduate degree in a professional course.
In addition to the educational qualification, applicants must satisfy at least one of the following eligibility conditions specified in the recruitment notice.
National Eligibility Tests
Candidates must have qualified through a national eligibility test such as:
- CSIR-UGC NET, including Lectureship (Assistant Professorship); or
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).
National-Level Examinations
Candidates may also qualify through national-level examinations conducted by Central Government departments, agencies or institutions, including those associated with:
- Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
- Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
- Department of Space (DOS)
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)
Applicants should check the official advertisement to confirm that their degree, qualifying examination and other credentials meet the applicable JRF eligibility requirements.
Desired Skills and Preferred Background
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate:
- Interest in waste upcycling research.
- Interest in decarbonization and sustainable energy technologies.
- Knowledge of process design and development.
- Familiarity with process modelling tools such as ASPEN.
- Interest in thermochemical conversion and green hydrogen production.
These skills are relevant to the project’s focus on biomass conversion, gasification, process optimization and sustainable energy systems.
Fellowship and Remuneration
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) |
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹37,000 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | As per applicable norms |
| Appointment Duration | 2 years |
| Nature of Appointment | Purely contractual |
| Project | DST–Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) |
The fellowship and HRA will be provided in accordance with applicable norms and the terms specified in the recruitment notice. Candidates should refer to the official advertisement for the complete remuneration conditions.
Appointment Details
- Position: Junior Research Fellow
- Duration: 2 years
- Appointment Type: Purely contractual
- Research Project: Bio-Oil to Green Hydrogen Production and Scale-Up Demonstration
- Campus: BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus
The appointment is linked to the sponsored research project.
Selection Process
The selection process is expected to include the following stages:
- Application review: Applications will be reviewed by the project investigators.
- Shortlisting: Eligible and suitable candidates will be shortlisted.
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed online or in person at the BITS Pilani campus.
- Interview communication: The interview schedule will be communicated to shortlisted applicants by email.
Important: No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview. The final interview schedule will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
How to Apply for BITS Pilani JRF Recruitment 2026
Interested and eligible candidates can apply through the online application form linked in the official recruitment advertisement or by email.
Option 1: Online Application
- Visit the official BITS Pilani website: https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/
- Locate the official JRF recruitment advertisement for the Chemical Engineering research project.
- Open the Google Form linked in the advertisement.
- Complete the application form with the required information.
- Attach or provide the requested documents, including your recent curriculum vitae (CV).
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Option 2: Apply by Email
Candidates may send their applications to the following email address:
Email: abhisheksharma@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
Applicants should include a recent CV containing details of research experience, if any, along with the information and supporting documents required by the official advertisement.
Application Deadline: 1 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST.
Candidates should ensure that their applications are submitted before the deadline. The exact Google Form URL was not included in the supplied recruitment details; applicants should access it through the official advertisement.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 12 October 2026 |
| Recruitment Posted | 19 October 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 1 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST |
| Interview Date | To be communicated to shortlisted candidates |
| Project Duration | 2 years |