CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune has announced the CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 for candidates interested in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and research careers. The recruitment is for 1 Project Associate-I position under the sponsored project “Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) – Affordable Health Care (AHC)”.
Candidates with a Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical (Bio)Technology, Biochemical Engineering and related fields can apply, subject to the eligibility conditions mentioned in the official notification.
Quick Summary
CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 offers one temporary research position in Pune under the API–Affordable Health Care project. Eligible candidates can apply online by 13 September 2026. The maximum age limit is 35 years, and the monthly remuneration is ₹31,000 + HRA or ₹25,000 + HRA, depending on the applicable eligibility criteria.
CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune |
| Post Name | Project Associate-I |
| Vacancy | 1 |
| Project | Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) – Affordable Health Care |
| Project Code | MMP035203 |
| Division | Chemical Engineering & Process Development (CEPD) |
| Job Type | Temporary / Project-Based |
| Maximum Age Limit | 35 Years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date to Apply | 13 September 2026 |
| Interview Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Interview Time | 10:15 AM |
| Interview Mode | Online |
Important: Candidates should verify the complete eligibility conditions and instructions in the official recruitment notification before applying.
CSIR-NCL Vacancy 2026
The recruitment notification mentions 1 vacancy for the post of Project Associate-I.
The position is associated with the project “Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) – Affordable Health Care (AHC)”, which focuses on the enzymatic synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients for affordable healthcare.
Educational Qualification
Candidates should possess a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized University or Institute.
Eligible/relevant fields mentioned in the notification include:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Microbial Biotechnology
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Pharmaceutical (Bio)Technology
- Biochemical Engineering
Candidates should check the official notification for the exact qualification and equivalence requirements applicable to their degree.
Desirable Experience
Candidates with practical knowledge or experience in the following areas may be preferred:
- Recombinant DNA technology
- Site-directed mutagenesis
- Saturation mutagenesis
- Protein purification
- Biocatalysis
- HPLC and related analytical techniques
This makes the position particularly relevant for candidates interested in enzyme engineering, biocatalysis, pharmaceutical research and API development.
Areas of Research and Work
The selected candidate is expected to work in research areas related to:
- Biology–Chemistry Interface
- Biocatalysis
- Enzyme Engineering
- Applied Enzymology
These areas can provide research exposure to candidates planning careers in pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology and related scientific fields.
CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Salary
The monthly consolidated remuneration mentioned in the recruitment notification is:
| Candidate Category | Monthly Emoluments |
|---|---|
| Candidates meeting the specified CSIR-UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET, GATE or eligible national-level examination criteria | ₹31,000 + HRA |
| Other eligible candidates | ₹25,000 + HRA |
The applicable remuneration will depend on the candidate’s eligibility under the conditions specified in the official notification.
Age Limit
The maximum age limit is 35 years for the Project Associate-I position.
Age Relaxation
The notification provides age relaxation as follows:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwD/Women | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
Candidates should check the official notification for the detailed conditions applicable to age relaxation.
Selection Process
The recruitment involves shortlisting followed by an online interview.
Selection Stages
- Online application submission
- Screening/shortlisting of eligible candidates
- Online interview
- Final selection as per the applicable project recruitment rules
The shortlisted candidates are scheduled to be notified on 14 September 2026.
The online interview is scheduled for 16 September 2026 at 10:15 AM.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Notice | 2 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 13 September 2026 |
| Shortlisted Candidates Notification | 14 September 2026 |
| Online Interview | 16 September 2026 |
| Interview Time | 10:15 AM |
How to Apply for CSIR-NCL Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates need to submit their applications online through the CSIR-NCL recruitment portal.
Steps to Apply
- Visit the official CSIR-NCL recruitment portal.
- Read the recruitment notification carefully.
- Check your educational qualification and age eligibility.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Review all the information before submitting the application.
- Submit the application before 13 September 2026.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application and relevant documents for future reference.
Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates should keep the required documents available while applying, such as:
- Valid email ID
- Recent photograph
- Signature
- Educational certificates and mark sheets
- Relevant testimonials/documents
The notification specifies that the photograph should be in JPG/JPEG format and below 50 KB, while the signature should be below 25 KB.
Why Should Pharmacy Candidates Apply?
This recruitment can be relevant for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology candidates who want to move toward research-oriented careers.
The project is related to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and involves areas such as:
- Enzyme engineering
- Biocatalysis
- Applied enzymology
- Pharmaceutical research
- API development
- Analytical techniques such as HPLC
Candidates with relevant Master’s qualifications and an interest in pharmaceutical R&D or biotechnology research may find this opportunity useful.
Is This a Permanent CSIR-NCL Job?
No. The Project Associate-I position is a temporary, project-based engagement.
It is linked to the sponsored project and does not constitute a regular or permanent appointment in CSIR-NCL. The continuation of the engagement is subject to the project tenure and applicable conditions, including satisfactory performance/conduct.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official CSIR-NCL Application Portal | jobs.ncl.res.in |
| Official Recruitment Notification | Not mentioned in the provided content |
Note: Add the direct official PDF link here if it is available on the CSIR-NCL website. Do not add an unofficial PDF or third-party recruitment link.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026?
CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 is a temporary research recruitment for 1 Project Associate-I position at CSIR-NCL, Pune, under the API–Affordable Health Care project.
2. How many vacancies are available in CSIR-NCL Recruitment 2026?
There is 1 vacancy for the Project Associate-I position.
3. What is the last date to apply for CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 13 September 2026.
4. What is the age limit for Project Associate-I at CSIR-NCL?
The maximum age limit is 35 years, with applicable relaxation for eligible categories as mentioned in the recruitment notification.
5. What is the salary of CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I?
The monthly remuneration is ₹31,000 + HRA for candidates meeting the specified national-level examination criteria and ₹25,000 + HRA for other eligible candidates.
6. Which qualifications are eligible for this CSIR-NCL position?
Relevant Master’s degrees include Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbial Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical (Bio)Technology and Biochemical Engineering, subject to the official eligibility conditions.
7. Is the CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I job permanent?
No. The position is purely temporary and project-based and does not constitute a regular CSIR-NCL appointment.
8. When will the CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I interview be conducted?
The online interview is scheduled for 16 September 2026 at 10:15 AM.
Conclusion
The CSIR-NCL Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 is an opportunity for eligible Master’s degree holders from Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical (Bio)Technology, Biochemical Engineering and related disciplines.
With a research focus on API development, biocatalysis, enzyme engineering and applied enzymology, the position may be particularly useful for candidates looking to build a career in pharmaceutical research and biotechnology.
Eligible candidates should complete the online application by 13 September 2026 and carefully check the official notification for all eligibility and application requirements.
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