The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, an autonomous premier institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, invites applications from talented fisheries scientists, aquatic ecologists, and limnologists for Project Scientist (I & II), Senior Project Associate, and Project Associate positions under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Riverine Biodiversity Conservation programmes.
About WII Aquatic Ecology & Riverine Fisheries Research
Headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, WII’s Department of Habitat Ecology and Aquatic Biodiversity spearheads national initiatives to conserve freshwater ecosystems, wetlands, and endangered aquatic megafauna across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river systems. WII conducts frontline research on environmental flows, fish migration corridors, riverine fisheries ecology, environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance, and habitat restoration for threatened aquatic species.
Key Project Focus & Scientific Themes
- Riverine Fish Ecology & Migration Dynamics: Population dynamics, reproductive biology, and fish-passage modeling for commercially and ecologically vital species including Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora), Snow Trout (Schizothorax richardsonii), and Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha).
- Aquatic Endangered Species Recovery: Long-term acoustic monitoring, demographic census, and habitat suitability modeling for the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), and freshwater chelonians.
- Freshwater Limnology & Ecohydrology: Hydrological modeling, water physicochemical kinetics, environmental flow (E-Flow) assessments, and aquatic macroinvertebrate community bio-indication in major river basins.
- Aquatic Molecular Ecology & eDNA: High-throughput environmental DNA metabarcoding of riverine waters, population genetic structure of endemic fish fauna, and molecular pathogen detection.
- Community Fisheries Management: Sustainable riparian co-management, alternative livelihood promotion for riverine fisher communities, and mitigation of destructive fishing practices.
Positions, Qualifications & Monthly Remuneration
| Position | Essential Qualifications | Monthly Emoluments |
|---|---|---|
| Project Scientist-II | Ph.D. in Fisheries Resource Management / Aquatic Biology / Limnology / Zoology OR Master’s with 3 years research experience in riverine ecology. | ₹67,000/- + HRA |
| Project Scientist-I | Master’s Degree in Fisheries Science (M.F.Sc.) / Aquatic Ecology / Zoology / Environmental Sciences with First Class OR Ph.D. | ₹56,000/- + HRA |
| Senior Project Associate | Master’s in Fisheries Science / Marine & Freshwater Biology + 4 years research experience OR Ph.D. in relevant aquatic discipline. | ₹42,000/- + HRA |
| Project Associate-I / II | Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc. / M.F.Sc.) / Zoology / Environmental Biology from a recognized university. | ₹25,000 – ₹31,000/- + HRA |
Selection Process & Guidelines
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational and age criteria. Statutory age relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC and women candidates in accordance with Government of India norms. Selection involves preliminary document screening followed by in-person or online video interviews.
Official vacancy circulars and prescribed application formats are available at: WII Official Portal (www.wii.gov.in).