IIT Roorkee QUEST Project Associate Recruitment 2026

IIT Roorkee QUEST Project Associate Recruitment 2026

The Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, has invited applications from Indian nationals for the position of Project Associate under the QUEST (Quantum Enhanced WRF model for Urban Climate System Modelling) project, sponsored by the National Quantum Mission, DST. This article covers the eligibility, emoluments, and how to apply.

Important – Urgent Deadline

Candidates wishing to appear for the walk-in interview must email their CV to the Principal Investigator by 11 September 2026. The interview will be held on 15 September 2026 at the Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee. Interested and eligible candidates should send their CV without delay.

IIT Roorkee QUEST Project Associate Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Post Details

How to Apply

1. Prepare an application on plain paper with a detailed CV, including a chronological listing of degrees/certificates obtained.
2. Include details of experience, research, industrial field, and others.
3. Attach attested copies of degree/certificate and experience certificates.
4. Submit the application to the office of the Principal Investigator through email, by post, or produce it at the time of interview.
5. For the walk-in interview, email your CV to the Principal Investigator (arumugam@ph.iitr.ac.in) by 11 September 2026.
6. Attend the interview on 15 September 2026 at the Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee, bringing original degree(s)/certificate(s) and experience certificate(s) for verification.

Selection Process

• Candidates should ensure their eligibility for the position before appearing for the interview.
• Original degree(s), certificate(s), and experience certificate(s) must be brought at the time of interview for verification.
• Preference will be given to SC/ST candidates on equal qualifications and experience.
• No TA/DA is admissible for attending the interview.

About the QUEST Project

QUEST (Quantum Enhanced WRF model for Urban Climate System Modelling) is a research project sponsored by the National Quantum Mission under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), led by Prof. P. Arumugam of the Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee. The project applies quantum-enhanced computational techniques to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, aiming to improve urban climate system modelling, an area of growing importance given increasing urbanization and the need for more accurate localized climate and weather predictions.

Why This Role Suits Physics and Engineering Graduates

The eligibility criteria, a Master’s in Physics or equivalent, or a B.E./B.Tech. degree, combined with 3 years of relevant experience, reflect the interdisciplinary nature of quantum-enhanced climate modelling research, which draws on both fundamental physics understanding and computational/engineering skills. Candidates with a background in computational physics, atmospheric science, or software development for scientific computing, particularly those with exposure to weather or climate modelling tools like WRF, would find their experience directly relevant to this Project Associate role’s focus on project administration, coordination, and data analysis.

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Understanding the National Quantum Mission’s Role

The National Quantum Mission, under DST, is a flagship Government of India initiative aimed at accelerating quantum technology research and applications across computing, communication, sensing, and materials science. This project’s funding under the National Quantum Mission places it within a broader national effort to explore practical, real-world applications of quantum-enhanced computational methods, in this case applied to the specific challenge of urban climate system modelling, making it a relevant opportunity for candidates interested in contributing to India’s emerging quantum technology research ecosystem.

Preparing for the Walk-in Interview on Short Notice

Since the CV submission deadline of 11 September falls just days after this notification and the interview follows on 15 September, candidates should assemble their detailed CV, attested degree and certificate copies, and experience documentation as soon as possible rather than waiting until close to the deadline. Given that the position may be filled through a walk-in process, candidates should also be prepared to bring their original documents directly to the Department of Physics on the interview date, in case they are unable to email their CV in advance but wish to still be considered.

What a Project Associate Role Typically Involves

Although the notification lists “Project administration & coordination” and “Data analysis” as the job description, in practice a Project Associate working on a computational climate-modelling project like QUEST is likely to support tasks such as running and validating simulations, processing large observational and model-output datasets, coordinating between the Principal Investigator and any collaborating researchers or institutions, and helping prepare progress reports and documentation required by the sponsoring agency, the National Quantum Mission under DST. Candidates should be prepared to discuss any prior exposure to scientific computing, data processing pipelines, or research project coordination during their interview, even if such experience was gained in a different but related domain.

Building a Career in Quantum-Enabled Research

For early-career physics and engineering graduates, a Project Associate position on a National Quantum Mission-funded project offers valuable exposure to one of the Government of India’s priority research areas, with quantum technologies expected to see substantial continued investment over the coming years. Working under an experienced Principal Investigator like Prof. Arumugam on a project that combines quantum-enhanced methods with practical urban climate modelling can also serve as a strong stepping stone toward further research positions, including potential Ph.D. opportunities, for candidates who perform well during their tenure on the project.

Final Word

Eligible candidates interested in the Project Associate position under the QUEST project at IIT Roorkee’s Department of Physics should email their CV to Prof. P. Arumugam at arumugam@ph.iitr.ac.in by 11 September 2026, and attend the interview at the Department of Physics on 15 September 2026 with all original documents.

Contacting the Principal Investigator

Candidates with questions about the QUEST project, the specific scope of the Project Associate role, or the application process may contact Prof. P. Arumugam directly at Tel: 8979890366, or by email at arumugam@ph.iitr.ac.in, referencing the project and post applied for.

A Note on Applying Even After the CV Deadline

Since the notification separately mentions that candidates may submit their application through email, by post, or produce it directly at the time of interview, candidates who are unable to meet the 11 September email deadline should still consider attending the walk-in interview on 15 September in person with their complete documentation, rather than assuming they have missed their chance entirely. However, given that the walk-in format typically favors candidates whose CVs have already been reviewed in advance, submitting the CV by the stated deadline remains the more reliable path to being considered.

Important Links

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

Understanding the Emoluments Range

The stated emoluments range of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 55,000 per month is fairly wide, and candidates should understand that the actual offer typically depends on their specific qualifications and prior experience beyond the minimum eligibility criteria, a common practice for Project Associate positions funded through DST and other central government research schemes. Candidates with a Master’s degree and closer to the full 3 years of relevant experience, or those with additional research publications or specialized computational skills, can generally expect an offer toward the higher end of this range, while candidates who just meet the minimum eligibility bar should expect an offer closer to the lower end.

Why IIT Roorkee’s Department of Physics Is a Strong Research Environment

IIT Roorkee’s Department of Physics has an established track record in areas including condensed matter physics, nuclear and particle physics, and increasingly, quantum technologies and computational physics, making it a well-resourced environment for a project like QUEST that bridges quantum computing methods with atmospheric science applications. Candidates joining as Project Associate would have access to the department’s computational infrastructure and research mentorship, which can be valuable both for the immediate project work and for candidates considering longer-term academic or research careers in quantum technology or computational climate science.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What post is advertised under the QUEST project at IIT Roorkee?

Project Associate, 1 post, Department of Physics.

2. What is the CV submission deadline?

11 September 2026, by email to the Principal Investigator.

3. When is the interview?

15 September 2026, at the Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee.

4. What is the qualification required?

Master’s in Physics or equivalent disciplines, or B.E./B.Tech., plus 3 years of relevant experience.

5. What is the salary for this post?

Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 55,000 per month.

6. What is the duration of the project?

3 years.

7. Who is the Principal Investigator?

Prof. P. Arumugam, Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee.

8. Who sponsors the QUEST project?

National Quantum Mission, DST.

9. Is there an application fee?

Not specified in this notification.

10. Is TA/DA paid for the interview?

No, TA/DA is not admissible for attending the interview.

11. Is there any reservation preference?

Preference will be given to SC/ST candidates on equal qualifications and experience.

12. What is the job profile for this post?

Project administration and coordination, and data analysis.

13. Can non-Indian nationals apply?

No, applications are invited from Indian nationals only.

14. What documents are required at the interview?

Original degree(s)/certificate(s) and experience certificate(s) for verification.

15. How can I contact the Principal Investigator?

Tel: 8979890366, Email: arumugam@ph.iitr.ac.in.