Applications are invited for Post Doctoral Fellowship 2025 at PRL Ahmedabad. Apply by May 31.

About PRL

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), an autonomous unit of the Department of Space, Government of India, conducts basic research in the areas of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Solar and Heliophysics, Space & Atmospheric Sciences, Geosciences, Planetary Sciences and Solar System Exploration, Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics and Theoretical Physics.

The Laboratory has several world-class experimental, observational, and computing facilities spread over its four campuses at Navrangpura and Thaltej in Ahmedabad, the Infrared Observatory at Mt. Abu, and the Solar Observatory in Udaipur. Research in PRL includes niche areas, like Planetary and Space missions, Astro-chemistry, Femto-second Lasers, Quantum Communication, Exo-planets, Biogeosciences, Paleo-climatology, Laboratory analysis of Meteorites/samples, Neutrino physics.

About the Program

Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) in research areas of the Laboratory is offered for a maximum period of two years. The extension to 2nd year is subject to the satisfactory annual progress review. Candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis or those who are about to submit their Ph.D. thesis can apply. In case of selection, the candidate will be required to submit the thesis submission certificate at the time of joining PRL.

Candidates, in consultation with a PRL faculty member, must submit a research proposal outlining the research they would undertake during their post-doctoral fellowship tenure. Candidates should arrange recommendation letters by at least three referees (NON-PRL Faculty members) to be sent directly to the Chairperson, PDF committee via e-mail as mentioned below. Candidates may be called for an interview only after all the above necessary inputs are received.

Eligibility

  • Doctorate (Ph. D.)/thesis submitted for Ph.D. in any field of Science or Engineering. However, the area of research should be compatible and related to those pursued in PRL
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Science or Engineering with first class (60%) or equivalent grades at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.
  • Age Limit of 35 Years

Benefits

  • Thesis submitted but PhD degree awaited by the scholar ₹ 58,000/- per month
  • With PhD degree/from the day of application for Fellowship Enhancement after Ph.D. degree is formally awarded by the University/Institute ₹ 61,000/- per month
  • External PDF applicant holding a PhD degree + 2 or more than 2 years of PDF/Research Associate experience (experience certificate will be required at the time of application) ₹ 67,000/- per month
  • Academic allowance of ₹ 10,000 /- (one time during the PDF tenure).

Timeline

The selection process will be conducted every quarter as per the following timeline:

  • January 2nd week – Deadline of receiving application including recommendation letter 30th November,
    Applications timeline: 01st September – 30th November
  • April 2nd week – Deadline of receiving application including recommendation letter 28th February
    Applications timeline: 01 December – 28/29* February (*during leap year)
  • July 2nd week – Deadline of receiving application including recommendation letter 31st May and
    Applications timeline: 01st March – 31st May
  • October 2nd week – Deadline of receiving application including recommendation letter 31st August
    Applications timeline: 01st June – 31st August

How to Apply

Eligible candidates are requested to submit the application along with the following documents only by email to pdf@prl.res.in

  • Scanned copy of the Application in the prescribed format.
  • Abstract of Ph.D. thesis
  • List of Publications
  • Research proposal (maximum of 2000 words) and to be prepared in consultation with the proposed PRL supervisor
  • Detailed Bio-data with details of educational qualifications, age, work experience etc.
  • At the time of the interview, the candidates are required to produce original documents of the following: No Objection Certificate, from the employer concerned in respect of those applicants who are employed under Central / State Government / Public Sector Undertakings / Autonomous Bodies.

Deadline

May 31 2025.

Click here to view the official notification of Post Doctoral Fellowship 2025 at PRL Ahmedabad.