Designation/Position- Research Associate-I Position at INST
Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Punjab, India invites application for Research Associate-I Position at INST from eligible and interested candidates
About- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali (Punjab), an autonomous institution of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has been established under the umbrella of NANO MISSION, initiated by DST to boost research and development in the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in India. INST started its activities on 3rd January 2013, the date on which its first Director was appointed. The institute is currently operating from its transit campus at Habitat Centre, Sector-64, Phase-X, Mohali, Punjab. The new campus of INST would be set up on 35 acres of land in the Knowledge City at Sector-81 (Mohali, Punjab), next to IISER Mohali campus, which is very near to new Chandigarh International Airport. Research Associate-I Position at INST
Research/Job Area- Biotechnology / Biomedical Sciences / Biochemistry / Life Sciences or related discipline
Location- Punjab
Eligibility/Qualification–
Essential Qualifications: PhD in Biotechnology / Biomedical Sciences / Biochemistry / Life Sciences or related discipline.
Desirable Experience:
- Strong foundation in molecular biology techniques including PCR, cloning, vector designing, recombinant DNA technology, and protein expression/purification studies.
- Hands-on experience with assay development, biosensors, nucleic acid amplification methods, ELISA, and western blotting.
- Prior experience with microfluidics, lab-on-chip platforms, or diagnostic assay miniaturization will be preferred.
- Expertise in aptamer design, nucleic acid secondary structures (e.g., hairpin loops), or advanced molecular sensing assays (e.g., proximity ligation, proteolysis-based platforms).
- Exposure to microfluidic chip fabrication (PDMS soft lithography/photolithography) or use of commercial chip-based systems.
- Experience in handling patient-derived biological samples (blood, plasma, serum, CTCs) with proper documentation and ethics compliance.
- Familiarity with ultrasensitive nucleic acid detection platforms (e.g., droplet digital PCR) and/or fluorescence/optical detection techniques.
- Working knowledge of data analysis and biostatistics software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, Origin, MATLAB).
- Proven research record with publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a multidisciplinary collaborative research environment.
Age limit: The upper age limit is 40 years for male candidates and 45 years in the case of female candidates as on 12.11.2025.
Job/Position Description-
Applications are invited from highly motivated and bright candidates for engagement of Project Research Associate-I in the research project funded by ‘Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India at Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali.
Title of the Research Project: “Development and Clinical Validation of an Affordable and Point of Care Microfluidic Chip for Early Detection of Metastatic Breast Cancer using Hairpin Loop Converter and Proximity Proteolysis Reaction: A Pilot Study”.
Principal Investigator: Dr Deepika Sharma, Scientist D
Name of the position available: Research Associate-I (RA-I)
Number of positions available: 01
Fellowship: Research Associate-I @ Rs 58,000/- pm consolidated for 1st and 2nd Year and Research Associate –II @ Rs. 61,000/- pm consolidated for 3rd year. The position is renewable each year subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds till the project end.
Last date of receipt of application: 12.11.2025
Mode of Interview: Hybrid mode (Online & Offline)
Duration: Initially for the period of one year and may be extended based on performance of the candidate and availability of funds.
General Terms and Conditions:
- The position is purely temporary and on contractual basis and renewable each year subject to satisfactory performance for a maximum of three years/till the completion of the project whichever is earlier.
- The position is co-terminus with the project.
- No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview.
- Original documents of age proof/certificates/degrees/mark sheets and other testimonials must be presented along with the self-attested photocopies of these documents at the time of interview (when interview will take in person).
Only shortlisted candidates will be communicated through email to appear in the interview and no other communication in this regard will be entertained.
How to Apply-
Completed applications in the prescribed format / CV along with two recommendation letters (one must be from the PhD supervisor), documents of age proof/certificates/degrees/mark sheets and other testimonials as annexed should reach to address deepika@inst.ac.in by 12.11.2025 via email attachment (complete one combined PDF).
For any query, candidates can contact on following address
Dr. Deepika Sharma
Scientist ‘D’
Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST),
Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar- 140306, Punjab E-mail: deepika@inst.ac.in,
Last Date for Apply– 12 November 2025
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