The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), India’s premier marine fisheries research organisation under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is inviting applications for multiple Young Professional (YP-I & YP-II), Senior Research Fellow (SRF), and Project Associate positions (2026–2027). Tenable at CMFRI Headquarters in Kochi, Kerala, and across its regional research stations along India’s peninsular coastline, these opportunities offer hands-on scientific training in marine fisheries biology, open-sea cage mariculture, marine fish stock assessment, and coastal oceanography.
About ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)
Established in 1947, ICAR-CMFRI is one of the leading marine fisheries research institutes in the tropical world. With its central headquarters in Kochi and 11 regional research centres and field laboratories (including Mandapam, Visakhapatnam, Mangalore, Veraval, Vizhinjam, Tuticorin, Karwar, and Chennai), CMFRI spearheads national research on marine biodiversity conservation, capture fisheries modeling, coastal environmental monitoring, and commercial open-sea cage mariculture (cobia, silver pompano, seabass, and seaweeds).
Project Disciplines & Key Research Areas
Recruited research personnel will participate in cutting-edge, externally funded projects sponsored by ICAR, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the Department of Fisheries (GoI), and the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):
- Marine Fisheries Resource Assessment: Catch estimation, demographic analysis, stock health assessment, and trophic modeling of commercial pelagic and demersal marine finfish and shellfish.
- Mariculture & Marine Hatchery Technologies: Broodstock development, induced breeding, live feed culture (rotifers, copepods, microalgae), and nursery rearing of high-value marine fishes in coastal sea cages.
- Marine Biodiversity & Environmental eDNA: Environmental DNA surveillance, taxonomic inventorying of marine fauna, coral reef and seagrass bed health monitoring, and marine protected area (MPA) assessments.
- Oceanography & Marine Biogeochemistry: Coastal upwelling dynamics, harmful algal bloom (HAB) tracking, satellite ocean color validation, and ocean acidification impacts on calcifying marine organisms.
- Fish Health, Nutrition & Marine Biotechnology: Marine pathogen surveillance, biosecurity protocols, formulated feed development, and marine bioactive peptide exploration.
Positions, Emoluments & Fellowship Terms
| Position Title | Consolidated Emoluments | Tenure / Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Young Professional-I (YP-I) | ₹30,000/- per month (Consolidated) | 1 year (Extendable up to 3 years based on performance) |
| Young Professional-II (YP-II) | ₹42,000/- per month (Consolidated) | 1 year (Extendable up to 3 years based on performance) |
| Senior Research Fellow (SRF) | ₹37,000/- per month + HRA (for 1st & 2nd year), ₹42,000/- + HRA (for 3rd year) | Co-terminus with project (up to 3 years) |
| Project Associate / Assistant | As per DST / CSIR / MoES OM Guidelines (₹25,000–₹35,000 + HRA) | Co-terminus with project |
Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications
- For Young Professional-I (YP-I): Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.), Marine Biology, Zoology, Life Sciences, Aquaculture, or related aquatic disciplines from a recognized university.
- For Young Professional-II (YP-II): Master’s degree in Fisheries Resource Management, Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Industrial Fisheries, Oceanography, Fishery Biotechnology, or Life Sciences (M.F.Sc. / M.Sc. with minimum 60% marks).
- For Senior Research Fellow (SRF): Master’s degree in relevant fisheries or marine science disciplines with 4 years / 5 years of Bachelor’s degree (or 3-year Bachelor’s degree with NET qualification and 2 years of relevant research experience).
- Desirable Experience: Prior experience in field sampling at fish landing centres, sea-going research vessel cruises, statistical analysis using R/Python, histological techniques, or live feed culture.
- Age Limit: 21 to 45 years (relaxable for SC/ST/OBC/Women candidates as per Government of India rules).
Selection Procedure & Application Guidelines
Recruitments at ICAR-CMFRI are conducted through structured application screening followed by personal interviews (in-person or online video conferencing):
- Download the standardized ICAR application proforma (Biodata / Annexure I) from the official CMFRI website notification for the specific project vacancy.
- Complete the proforma and assemble self-attested digital copies of educational mark sheets, degree certificates, experience letters, and identity proof into a single PDF document.
- Email the application package to the Principal Investigator (PI) / designated project email address specified in the individual advertisement before the closing date.
- Shortlisted candidates will receive an email invitation specifying the date, time, and venue/link for the interview.
Official Notification & Career Portal
Prospective candidates are advised to regularly monitor the official ICAR-CMFRI recruitment section for newly released project advertisements across all regional stations:
👉 ICAR-CMFRI Official Vacancies & Career Page: https://www.cmfri.org.in/
👉 CMFRI Kochi Headquarters Portal: https://www.cmfri.org.in/vacancies