IIT (BHU) Varanasi Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

IIT (BHU) Varanasi Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

The Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi has invited applications for the post of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) under a Ministry of Mines (MoM), Government of India sponsored research project. This article covers the vacancy details, eligibility, remuneration and how to apply.

IIT (BHU) Varanasi JRF Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Eligibility Criteria

• Essential Qualification: M.Tech in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering with CGPA/CPI 7.0 (on a scale of 10), OR M.Sc. Chemistry or Physics, with basic knowledge of electrochemistry.
• Age Limit: Maximum 28 years on the date of advertisement (age relaxation for Female/SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates as per Government norms).
• Desirable: Hands-on experience in operating a potentiostat/galvanostat.

Remuneration

Rs. 37,000/- plus Rs. 7,400/- HRA per month. HRA will be provided as per Institute rules if campus accommodation is not provided.

How to Apply

1. Prepare an application on plain paper, giving name, permanent and correspondence address, parents’ names, telephone number, email address, and details of educational career starting from High School.
2. Attach self-attested copies of all mark sheets and certificates, along with details of any research or other experience.
3. Send the application to reach within 21 days of the advertisement, to: Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi – 221 005.
4. Alternatively, applications can be sent by email to bverma.che@iitbhu.ac.in, with the subject clearly mentioned.

Important Terms and Conditions

• The post is purely temporary and co-terminus with the project, ending along with the project’s completion.
• No TA/DA will be paid if the candidate is called for interview.
• The interview shall be conducted in physical mode; an online interview may be considered only as a special case.
• Age relaxation is admissible for Female, SC, ST, OBC and Physically Handicapped candidates as per Government norms.

About This Recruitment

IIT (BHU) Varanasi is recruiting a Junior Research Fellow for a Ministry of Mines-sponsored research project focused on developing a reagent-free, single-cell electrochemical approach for recovering critical minerals from spent Lithium-ion Battery (LIB) black mass, complete with an India-specific Life Cycle Assessment. This research sits at the forefront of India’s critical minerals recovery and battery recycling priorities, an increasingly important area as the country scales up electric vehicle adoption and seeks to reduce dependence on imported critical minerals.

Why Critical Mineral Recovery Research Matters

As India pushes toward greater electric vehicle adoption and renewable energy storage, the recovery of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel from spent lithium-ion batteries has become a national priority, both for resource security and environmental sustainability. This JRF position offers candidates with a Chemical/Mechanical Engineering or Chemistry/Physics background direct involvement in developing reagent-free electrochemical recovery methods, a research area combining materials science, electrochemistry and sustainability that is likely to see continued government and industry investment in the coming years.

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Understanding the Eligibility Routes

Candidates should note that this position offers two distinct qualification routes – an M.Tech in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering with a minimum CGPA/CPI of 7.0, or alternatively an M.Sc. in Chemistry or Physics, provided the candidate has basic knowledge of electrochemistry. This dual-route eligibility widens the applicant pool beyond a narrow Chemical Engineering specialization, making the position accessible to Physics and Chemistry postgraduates with a genuine interest and foundational knowledge in electrochemical processes, alongside traditional Chemical/Mechanical Engineering candidates.

Preparing a Strong Application

Since applications are accepted either by post or email with a relatively short window of just 21 days from the date of advertisement, candidates should promptly prepare their plain-paper application with complete educational history starting from High School, along with self-attested mark sheets and certificates. Candidates with hands-on experience operating a potentiostat or galvanostat – specialized electrochemical instrumentation – should clearly highlight this in their application, since it is explicitly listed as a desirable qualification that could set an application apart in the selection process for this single available position.

About IIT (BHU) Varanasi’s Chemical Engineering Research

The Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology at IIT (BHU) Varanasi is one of India’s oldest and most established chemical engineering departments, with a strong track record of externally funded research spanning process engineering, materials recovery and sustainable chemical technologies. This Ministry of Mines sponsored project on critical mineral recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries aligns with the department’s broader research strengths in electrochemical processes and extractive metallurgy, offering the selected JRF exposure to both fundamental electrochemistry research and its direct application to India’s mineral security priorities.

The Growing Importance of Battery Recycling Research in India

With India’s electric vehicle market expanding rapidly and the resulting volume of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries expected to grow substantially over the coming decade, research into efficient, environmentally sound methods for recovering critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese from spent batteries has become a national priority under various Ministry of Mines and Department of Science and Technology funding programs. Candidates joining this JRF position will be contributing directly to this emerging and strategically important research area, gaining specialized expertise that is increasingly sought after by both academic institutions and the growing battery recycling industry in India.

What a JRF Role on This Project Involves

Candidates selected for this JRF position can expect to work on electrochemical cell design and testing, sample preparation from spent lithium-ion battery black mass, and systematic data collection supporting the project’s India-specific Life Cycle Assessment component, in close coordination with the project’s Principal Investigator and other research staff. Since the project explicitly aims to develop a reagent-free, single-cell approach – a departure from conventional multi-stage, reagent-intensive hydrometallurgical recovery methods – candidates with an analytical mindset and willingness to troubleshoot novel experimental setups will find this a technically engaging research environment, well suited to building a strong foundation for future doctoral studies in electrochemistry, materials recovery or sustainable process engineering fields.

Documents to Prepare Before Applying

Since the application must be submitted on plain paper covering complete educational history from High School onward, candidates should have scanned, self-attested copies of all mark sheets and certificates ready, along with a clear summary of any prior research experience, publications, or hands-on laboratory work relevant to electrochemistry. Given the tight 21-day application window from the date of advertisement, candidates should prioritize submitting a complete, well-organized application promptly rather than waiting until close to the deadline, since late or incomplete submissions risk being excluded from consideration entirely.

Career Pathway After This Fellowship

Since the JRF role is co-terminus with the project’s 2-year duration, candidates should view this position as a structured entry point into electrochemistry and materials recovery research rather than permanent employment. Strong performance during this fellowship, combined with the specialized technical skills gained in electrochemical cell operation and critical mineral recovery methods, can meaningfully support a subsequent PhD application at IIT (BHU) or other premier institutes, or transition into India’s growing battery recycling and critical minerals industry, both of which are actively seeking researchers with this specific skill set as the sector continues to scale up rapidly across the country.

Important Links

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many JRF posts are advertised at IIT (BHU) Varanasi?

1 post, under a Ministry of Mines sponsored research project.

2. What is the last date to apply?

Within 21 days of the advertisement (on or around 22 September 2026).

3. What is the remuneration?

Rs. 37,000/- plus Rs. 7,400/- HRA per month.

4. What is the age limit?

Maximum 28 years on the date of advertisement, with relaxation for Female/SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates.

5. Is there an application fee?

No fee is mentioned in this notice.

6. What qualification is required?

M.Tech in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering (CGPA 7.0+), OR M.Sc. Chemistry/Physics with basic electrochemistry knowledge.

7. How should candidates apply?

By post to IIT (BHU) Varanasi, or by email to bverma.che@iitbhu.ac.in.

8. What is the duration of this project?

2 years, sanctioned till July 2028.

9. Is TA/DA paid for the interview?

No, no TA/DA is admissible if called for interview.

10. What is the research project about?

A reagent-free single-cell electrochemical approach for recovering critical minerals from spent lithium-ion battery black mass.

11. Is HRA provided in addition to the base salary?

Yes, Rs. 7,400/- HRA per month, unless campus accommodation is provided.

12. Is prior experience with a potentiostat/galvanostat mandatory?

No, it is desirable but not mandatory.

13. Will the interview be conducted online?

No, physical mode is standard; online may be considered only in special cases.

14. Who is the contact for this recruitment?

Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, via bverma.che@iitbhu.ac.in.

15. Is this position based in Varanasi?

Yes, at the IIT (BHU) Varanasi campus.