The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, invites applications and walk-in interviews for Young Professional-I (YP-I), Young Professional-II (YP-II), Junior Research Fellows (JRF), and Senior Research Fellows (SRF) across its headquarters and eleven regional research stations (including Mandapam, Vizhinjam, Mangalore, Veraval, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai) in 2026. As India’s apex marine fisheries research organization under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR-CMFRI spearheads pioneering research in marine capture fisheries stock estimation, sea-cage mariculture, artificial reef deployment, and marine environmental conservation.
Program Overview: Marine Fisheries Research at ICAR-CMFRI
India’s marine fisheries sector supports the livelihoods of over 4 million coastal fisherfolk and generates crucial foreign exchange. ICAR-CMFRI provides scientific advisories on Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), Total Allowable Catch (TAC), and seasonal fishing bans along India’s 8,118 km coastline. Selected research fellows and young professionals will actively engage in open-sea cage farming trials, hatchery seed production of marine finfish (Cobia, Silver Pompano, Orange-spotted Grouper), seaweed mariculture, and climate vulnerability modeling under the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) program.
| Key Parameter | Recruitment Specifications |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, Kerala (and Regional Stations) |
| Positions Available | Young Professional-I (YP-I), Young Professional-II (YP-II), Junior/Senior Research Fellows (JRF/SRF) |
| Core Research Divisions | Mariculture, Pelagic Fisheries, Demersal Fisheries, Marine Biodiversity & Environment Management, Socio-Economic Evaluation |
| Monthly Emoluments | YP-I: ₹30,000 / month (consolidated) YP-II: ₹42,000 / month (consolidated) JRF/SRF: ₹37,000 – ₹42,000 / month + HRA (as per ICAR/DST norms) |
| Age Limit | 21 to 45 years (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Women candidates as per GoI rules) |
| Selection Mode | Application screening followed by Walk-in or Online Interview at CMFRI Kochi or designated regional stations |
Priority Research Themes & Projects
- Open Sea Cage Mariculture: Broodstock development, nursery rearing, and commercial sea-cage farming of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum), Silver Pompano (Trachinotus blochii), and Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer).
- Marine Fish Stock Assessment & Trophic Modeling: Spatial stock assessment of pelagic and demersal resources, bio-economic modeling, and ecosystem-based fisheries management using CMSY and Ecopath with Ecosim.
- Seaweed Mariculture & Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): Raft and longline cultivation of commercially important red seaweeds (Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria edulis) coupled with finfish cages for environmental bioremediation.
- Artificial Reefs & Habitat Enhancement: Deployment of custom-engineered artificial reef structures along coastal states for fish aggregating, coastal protection, and small-scale artisanal fisher empowerment.
- Climate Change & Marine Environmental Genomics: Assessing thermal tolerance, coral bleaching dynamics, ocean acidification impacts on calcifying marine organisms, and eDNA metabarcoding of marine biodiversity hotspots.
Eligibility Criteria
Young Professional-I (YP-I)
- Essential Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) or B.Sc. in Marine Biology, Zoology, Aquaculture, Coastal Oceanography, or allied Life Sciences from a recognized university.
- Desirable Skills: Prior experience in marine fish sampling, hatchery management, ocean water quality analysis, or GIS mapping.
Young Professional-II (YP-II) & JRF/SRF
- Essential Qualification: Master’s degree in Fisheries Science (M.F.Sc. in Fisheries Resource Management, Aquaculture, Aquatic Environment Management, or Marine Biology) or M.Sc. in Marine Sciences, Zoology (Fisheries specialization), Coastal Ecology, or Biotechnology.
- Desirable Skills: Proficiency in molecular biological techniques, statistical modeling (R, Python, PRIMER), acoustic fish tracking, or marine bioinformatics. Candidates with NET/GATE qualifications preferred for JRF/SRF roles.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should regularly visit the official ICAR-CMFRI portal. Candidates must submit their filled-in application forms along with scanned copies of original academic transcripts to the designated project email address before the specified closing date, or attend walk-in interviews as notified.
Official Website & Career Section: ICAR-CMFRI Official Portal (cmfri.org.in)
Job Opportunities Board: Check the “Job Opportunities” tab on the official CMFRI home page for active project-wise recruitment notifications and downloadable application formats.