ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar Young Professional-II Walk-in Interview 2026

ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar Young Professional-II Walk-in Interview 2026

ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, Odisha has invited applications through walk-in interview for engagement of Young Professional-II, purely on contractual basis, to work under the CABin Project. This article covers the vacancy details, eligibility, emoluments and how to attend the walk-in interview.

ICAR-CIFA Young Professional-II Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Eligibility Criteria

• Essential: Post Graduate degree in a professional course – M.F.Sc (with 4-year Bachelor’s degree + 2-year Master’s degree in Fish Biotechnology), OR M.Sc. in Bioinformatics/Biotechnology/Microbiology/Zoology/Biochemistry/Genomics, from a recognized University with a 3-year Bachelor’s degree and 2-year Master’s degree.
• Desirable: Research experience in NGS Data analysis, Database Development, Advanced Bioinformatics and Machine Learning; candidates who have completed pre-PhD coursework will be preferred.
• Age Limit: Minimum 21 years, maximum 45 years, with relaxation as per rules for SC/ST/OBC/Divyaang candidates.

Emoluments

Rs. 42,000/- per month, consolidated.

Evaluation Criteria for Selection

Academic marks are awarded based on percentage/OGPA/grade (10 marks for >90%, scaling down to 0 for <30%). Research/work experience marks scale from 0 (less than 6 months) to 20 (more than 3 years). Tie-breaking: senior candidate ranked higher; if same age, candidate with higher marks in academic qualification is ranked higher.

How to Attend the Walk-in Interview

1. Prepare 5 copies of your Bio-Data, 2 passport-size photographs, and one set of self-attested copies of all certificates/mark sheets/experience certificates.
2. Report to the venue – ICAR-CIFA, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751002 – on 15 September 2026 at 10:00 AM.
3. Carry original certificates and proof of age and caste for verification at the time of interview.

Important Terms and Conditions

• No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview.
• Canvassing in any form will disqualify the candidate.
• The engagement is purely temporary and will terminate automatically after the period indicated in the selection offer, or as intimated subsequently.
• The selected candidate will not have any right for absorption in ICAR-CIFA/ICAR.
• The selected candidate may be required to work in rural areas and travel extensively, as per project requirement.
• The selected candidate may have to join immediately.
• The Director, ICAR-CIFA reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process.

About This Recruitment

ICAR-CIFA, one of India’s premier freshwater aquaculture research institutes, is recruiting a Young Professional-II for its CABin (Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics) Project, investigating key transcripts and regulatory networks associated with the reproductive biology and medicinal value of striped murrel (Channa striata), a commercially and medicinally important fish species in India. This research combines fish biology, bioinformatics and omics-based approaches, reflecting the growing use of advanced computational biology techniques in aquaculture research.

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Why Striped Murrel Research Matters

Striped murrel (Channa striata), commonly known as Sowl or Haal in various Indian languages, holds both significant commercial aquaculture value and traditional medicinal significance in India, making it a species of substantial research interest. Understanding its reproductive biology at the transcript and regulatory network level, using modern Omics approaches, could contribute to improved aquaculture breeding practices for this species, while the investigation into its medicinal value properties adds a translational research dimension relevant to natural product development.

Understanding the Bioinformatics Focus

Candidates should note that while the essential qualification accepts a fairly broad range of Life Sciences backgrounds – from Fish Biotechnology to Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Zoology, Biochemistry and Genomics – the desirable qualifications specifically emphasize NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) data analysis, database development, advanced bioinformatics and machine learning skills. Candidates with hands-on computational biology experience, even from a wet-lab-focused degree background, should ensure this is clearly highlighted, since it directly aligns with the project’s Omics-based research approach and could meaningfully influence the desirable qualifications score during evaluation.

Preparing for the Merit-Based Evaluation

Since the selection process allocates 40 marks to educational qualification, 20 marks to research/work experience, and 40 marks to the personal interview, candidates should recognize that strong interview performance carries the single largest weight in the overall evaluation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their understanding of Omics approaches, fish reproductive biology, and any relevant bioinformatics tools or techniques they have used, since the personal interview stage offers the greatest opportunity to differentiate their candidacy beyond pure academic credentials.

About ICAR-CIFA and Its Research Focus

ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, based at Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, is India’s premier research institute dedicated to freshwater aquaculture, covering fish genetics, breeding, nutrition, health management and increasingly, molecular and computational biology approaches to aquaculture research. The CABin (Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics) Project reflects ICAR’s broader institutional push toward integrating modern Omics and bioinformatics tools into traditional agricultural and aquaculture research, positioning candidates who join such projects at the forefront of this methodological shift within Indian agricultural science.

Career Value of This Bioinformatics-Aquaculture Crossover Role

This Young Professional-II position offers a distinctive combination of fish biology and computational biology exposure, a skill set increasingly valuable as Indian agricultural and aquaculture research institutions expand their use of genomics, transcriptomics and machine learning approaches. Candidates completing this engagement will gain practical experience applicable to a growing range of career paths, from further doctoral research in aquaculture genomics to broader bioinformatics roles across India’s expanding agricultural biotechnology sector.

What to Prepare Before Interview Day

Since the walk-in interview requires 5 copies of Bio-Data along with 2 passport-size photographs and a full set of self-attested certificate copies, candidates should organize these materials well in advance rather than attempting last-minute photocopying on the interview day itself. Candidates should also prepare a concise summary of any research projects, dissertation work, or bioinformatics tools they have used during their studies, since this information will likely form the basis of discussion during the 40-mark personal interview component.

Working Conditions Candidates Should Anticipate

Since the notice explicitly states the selected candidate may be required to work in rural areas and travel extensively, candidates should factor this fieldwork component into their expectations for this role, alongside the more conventional laboratory and computational analysis work implied by the project’s Omics-based research design. This mix of field and computational work is fairly typical of applied agricultural and aquaculture research projects in India, where sample collection often requires direct engagement with fish farming communities and aquaculture sites beyond the institute’s own campus.

Why the Pre-PhD Coursework Preference Matters

Candidates who have completed pre-PhD coursework, even without having formally enrolled in or completed a doctoral program, receive an explicit preference under this notice’s desirable qualifications criteria. This suggests ICAR-CIFA is looking for a candidate with research maturity beyond a standard Master’s degree, someone already exposed to the rigor of doctoral-level coursework in research methodology, advanced subject matter, or specialized laboratory techniques, which can translate into a smoother, faster transition into genuinely independent project work on this Omics-based research effort.

A Note on the Contract’s Open-Ended Duration

While the notice states the engagement runs until 31 March 2027, it also explicitly notes the position is “likely to continue beyond” that date, suggesting the CABin Project has ongoing funding expectations that could extend the Young Professional-II role well past its initial term. Candidates should still treat the formal end date as the guaranteed tenure for planning purposes, while recognizing that strong performance could lead to a longer-term research engagement should the project’s funding and scope continue to expand as anticipated.

Important Links

• Notification PDF
• Official Website
• NaukriPatra App
• WhatsApp Channel
• Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many Young Professional-II posts are advertised at ICAR-CIFA?

1 post, under the CABin Project on striped murrel reproductive biology.

2. When is the walk-in interview?

15 September 2026, 10:00 AM.

3. What is the consolidated emolument?

Rs. 42,000/- per month.

4. What is the age limit?

21 to 45 years, with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/Divyaang candidates.

5. Is there an application fee?

No fee is mentioned in this notice.

6. What qualification is required?

M.F.Sc or M.Sc. in Bioinformatics/Biotechnology/Microbiology/Zoology/Biochemistry/Genomics.

7. Where is the interview venue?

ICAR-CIFA, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar – 751002.

8. What is the duration of this engagement?

Up to 31 March 2027, likely to continue beyond.

9. Is TA/DA paid for the interview?

No, no TA/DA is admissible.

10. What is the research project about?

Key transcripts and regulatory networks in reproductive biology and medicinal value of striped murrel (Channa striata), using Omics approaches.

11. What is the selection process?

100 marks – 40 for educational qualification, 20 for research/work experience, 40 for personal interview.

12. What documents should candidates bring?

5 copies of Bio-Data, 2 passport photos, self-attested certificate copies, plus originals for verification.

13. Is prior NGS/bioinformatics experience mandatory?

No, it is desirable, not mandatory.

14. Does this position guarantee absorption into ICAR-CIFA?

No, the selected candidate has no right for absorption in ICAR-CIFA/ICAR.

15. May the selected candidate need to travel for this role?

Yes, the role may require working in rural areas and extensive travel as per project needs.