The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata, invites applications from dynamic and qualified researchers for multiple Young Professional and Project Research Fellow positions under various national research programs focusing on inland fisheries ecology, riverine restoration, and reservoir fisheries management for 2026/27.
About ICAR-CIFRI
Established in 1947, ICAR-CIFRI is the premier national research institution under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research dedicated to sustainable management, ecological conservation, and stock enhancement across inland openwater fisheries resources, including rivers, reservoirs, floodplains, estuaries, and wetlands across India.
Core Scientific Thrust Areas & Research Programs
- Riverine Ecology & Namami Gange Mission: Comprehensive biomonitoring of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins, assessment of environmental flows (e-flows), and evaluating fish migration efficiency across hydraulic fish passes for the iconic Indian shad (Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha).
- Floodplain Wetland (Beel) Ecology: Ecosystem-based enhancement of floodplain oxbow lakes through enclosure aquaculture (pen culture), auto-stocking of indigenous carps, and sustainable macrophyte biomass management.
- Reservoir Fisheries Development: Scientific protocols for culture-based reservoir fisheries, hydroacoustic stock biomass assessment, and installation of modular floating cages for high-value finfish production.
- Aquatic Biodiversity & Environmental DNA (eDNA): High-throughput eDNA metabarcoding and digital monitoring of endangered fish species and aquatic trophic interactions across major drainage basins.
- Aquatic Health & Water Quality Governance: Evaluation of heavy metals, microplastics, pesticide residues, and ecological health indices across openwater aquatic ecosystems.
Positions, Monthly Emoluments & Qualifications
| Position | Monthly Emoluments | Essential Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Young Professional-II (YP-II) | ₹42,000/- consolidated | Postgraduate degree (M.F.Sc. / M.Sc. / M.Tech) in Fisheries Resource Management, Aquaculture, Aquatic Ecology, Marine Biology, Zoology (Fisheries specialization), Biotechnology, or Environmental Sciences. |
| Young Professional-I (YP-I) | ₹30,000/- consolidated | Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) / Zoology / Life Sciences / Environmental Sciences. |
| Senior Research Fellow (SRF) / Project Associate | ₹37,000/- + HRA (as per ICAR/DST norms) | Master’s degree in Fisheries Science or allied Life Sciences with NET/GATE qualification and 2 years of documented openwater fisheries or aquatic research experience. |
Age Limit & Guidelines
The candidate must be between 21 and 45 years of age. Standard age relaxations for SC/ST/OBC and women candidates are applicable according to Government of India and ICAR regulations.
Selection & Application Procedure
Interested eligible candidates should submit their detailed biodata with scanned copies of credentials to the respective project principal investigators. Selection will be carried out through walk-in or online interviews conducted by the ICAR-CIFRI Headquarters at Barrackpore, Kolkata, or its regional research stations located in Guwahati, Vadodara, Bengaluru, Prayagraj, and Kochi.
For official notification releases and detailed terms of engagement, candidates should regularly consult the official CIFRI portal at cifri.res.in.