IIT Mandi Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Apply for 2 Posts

IIT Mandi Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has issued Advertisement No. IITM/SRIC/Project No. IITM/CDRI/ASK/612, dated 3 August 2026, inviting applications from Indian nationals for 2 posts of Senior Project Scientist on a temporary, consolidated-salary basis under a project titled “Primer on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (PoDRI).” This article covers the complete vacancy details, eligibility criteria, salary and application process for IIT Mandi Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026.

IIT Mandi Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Overview

About the Project

IIT Mandi is developing a high-quality, self-paced, open-access online course, the Primer on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (PoDRI), comprising approximately 8-10 hours of asynchronous learning. Designed to be globally accessible and relevant to a wide range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, policymakers, financiers, engineers and disaster risk reduction (DRR) professionals, PoDRI will equip participants with both foundational and applied knowledge on disaster-resilient infrastructure (spanning transport, power, social and buried infrastructure) in the face of natural hazards. The selected candidates will be supervised by an international team comprising researchers from IIT Mandi, University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and Durham University (UK).

Project Investigators: Dr. Ashutosh Kumar (IIT Mandi), Dr. Ellen Robson (University of Canterbury, New Zealand), and Professor Bruce Malamud (Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, Durham University).

Eligibility Criteria

Essential Qualification: PhD in a relevant subject, such as disaster risk reduction, natural hazards, and/or infrastructure.

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Desirable Criteria:

• Strong analytical, writing and organisational skills.
• Publication in top-tier journals.
• Interest in online learning, infrastructure resilience, and global DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) practice is advantageous.
• The successful candidate should possess strong technical writing and communication skills, experience in disaster risk reduction or infrastructure resilience, and the ability to transform complex scientific and engineering concepts into clear and engaging educational resources.

Relaxation: Relaxation of marks may be granted to SC/ST candidates as per Government of India norms. In case of selection of a retired/superannuated government employee, their salary will be fixed as per prevailing GoI rules/norms.

Tips for Candidates Applying to This Recruitment

• Candidates should tailor their CV to clearly highlight both research credentials (PhD subject area, publications) and any communication, teaching or instructional-design experience, since the role explicitly values the ability to convert technical content into accessible learning material.
• Since two referees must be named in the application, candidates should approach referees who can speak specifically to their research quality and their communication/writing abilities in advance of applying.
• Given the international, multi-institutional nature of the supervisory team, candidates should be prepared for both online and offline interview formats, as noted in the application process.

How to Apply

1. Interested candidates should submit their details and CV online, using the Google Form link provided in the official notification.
2. The last date for submitting completed applications is 28 August 2026, by 5:00 PM.
3. The CV should include personal details, academic qualifications, research experience, publications, name, affiliation and mobile number, and the name and email address of two referees.
4. IIT Mandi reserves the right to fix higher criteria for shortlisting eligible candidates from those satisfying the advertised qualifications and requirements of the project post.
5. The names of shortlisted candidates will either be displayed on the website or communicated individually, along with offline/online interview details.
6. For any clarification regarding eligibility, candidates may contact: ashutosh@iitmandi.ac.in.

Nature of Appointment

• The initial appointment will be for a period of 6 months or the end of the project, whichever is earlier.
• Renewal of services for a few months/a year or up to the duration of the project will be based on satisfactory performance.
• The position is on a temporary basis, with a consolidated monthly salary.

About This Recruitment

This Senior Project Scientist position at IIT Mandi is tied to an internationally collaborative, applied research and education project on disaster-resilient infrastructure, funded by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), an international partnership initiative supported by the Government of India. Given that PoDRI is designed as an open-access, globally accessible online course rather than a purely academic research output, this role offers PhD-qualified candidates in disaster risk reduction, natural hazards or infrastructure resilience an unusual opportunity to combine subject-matter research expertise with instructional design and technical communication skills, working alongside an international supervisory team spanning IIT Mandi, the University of Canterbury and Durham University. Candidates with a strong publication record and a genuine interest in translating complex engineering and scientific concepts into accessible learning content for global stakeholders, including policymakers, financiers and DRR professionals, are particularly well suited to this role.

About IIT Mandi and CDRI

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, located in Kamand, District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, is one of the newer IITs established by the Government of India, known for its focus on interdisciplinary research addressing real-world challenges relevant to the Himalayan region and beyond, including disaster resilience, climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the funding agency for this project, is a global partnership of national governments, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector and knowledge institutions, launched by India, that aims to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure development worldwide. This project, PoDRI, represents CDRI’s investment in accessible global education on disaster-resilient infrastructure, reflecting India’s growing international leadership role in this specialized field.

Understanding Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Disaster-resilient infrastructure refers to physical systems, such as transport networks, power grids, water and sanitation systems, social infrastructure like schools and hospitals, and buried infrastructure like pipelines and cables, that are designed, built and maintained to withstand, adapt to, and quickly recover from natural hazards including earthquakes, floods, cyclones and landslides. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events globally, and as urbanization concentrates more critical infrastructure in hazard-prone areas, the need for engineers, policymakers and financiers to understand and apply disaster-resilience principles has grown substantially. The PoDRI course being developed at IIT Mandi addresses this need directly by creating a structured, accessible learning pathway that condenses complex engineering and risk-reduction concepts into a format usable by a global audience, ranging from students just beginning their engineering education to senior policymakers and infrastructure financiers making real investment decisions.

Why This Role Suits Research-Oriented Communicators

Unlike a conventional post-doctoral research position focused primarily on publishing academic papers, this Senior Project Scientist role places significant emphasis on the ability to translate specialized scientific and engineering knowledge into clear, engaging educational content for a diverse, non-specialist global audience. Candidates who enjoy both the research and the communication/teaching sides of academic work, and who are comfortable working within a structured international collaboration involving supervisors across three institutions on two continents, will find this role particularly well suited to their skills. Since the course is intended to be self-paced and asynchronous, candidates with prior experience or interest in instructional design, e-learning content development, or public-facing science communication will have a natural advantage in delivering the project’s core deliverable effectively.

Important Links

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many posts are advertised for Senior Project Scientist at IIT Mandi?

2 posts, under the CDRI-funded PoDRI project.

2. What is the last date to apply?

28 August 2026, by 5:00 PM.

3. What is the essential qualification?

PhD in a relevant subject, such as disaster risk reduction, natural hazards, and/or infrastructure.

4. What is the salary for this post?

Rs. 70,000/- per month, consolidated, plus HRA as applicable.

5. What is the mode of application?

Online, through the Google Form link provided in the official notification.

6. What is the duration of this position?

6 months initially, or end of the project (28.02.2027), whichever is earlier, renewable based on performance.

7. Is relaxation available for SC/ST candidates?

Yes, relaxation of marks may be granted to SC/ST candidates as per Government of India norms.

8. Who are the Project Investigators for this project?

Dr. Ashutosh Kumar (IIT Mandi), Dr. Ellen Robson (University of Canterbury, NZ), and Professor Bruce Malamud (Durham University, UK).

9. What is the PoDRI project about?

Developing a self-paced, open-access online course on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, covering transport, power, social and buried infrastructure.

10. Who can be contacted for eligibility queries?

Candidates may email ashutosh@iitmandi.ac.in for any clarification regarding eligibility.

11. Is prior publication in top-tier journals mandatory?

No, it is listed as a desirable criterion rather than an essential requirement, though it strengthens a candidate’s application.

12. Can a retired government employee be selected for this post?

Yes, in case of selection of a retired/superannuated government employee, their salary will be fixed as per prevailing Government of India rules and norms.

13. What is the project’s end date?

28 February 2027, though the initial appointment is for 6 months and may be renewed based on satisfactory performance up to the project’s completion.