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Post-Doctoral Fellows

The fellowship offers candidates the opportunity to pursue research in PRL’s cutting-edge science & engineering research areas. The tenure of the fellowship is for a maximum of two years, subject to annual progress reviews. The fellowship provides a competitive stipend, research opportunities.

Central Cash

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Science And Technology

Nodal department: Department of Space

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend, Apprenticeships and training

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Opportunity, PhD, Researchers, Fellowship

Details

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) is an initiative to support researchers who have completed or are nearing the completion of their Ph.D. in science or engineering fields. The fellowship offers candidates the opportunity to pursue research in PRL’s cutting-edge science and engineering research areas. The tenure of the fellowship is for a maximum of two years, subject to annual progress reviews. The fellowship provides a competitive stipend, research opportunities, and accommodation benefits.

Benefits

  • Fellowship: Monthly stipend based on the academic status of the fellow:
  • ₹58,000/- for candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis but await the degree
  • ₹61,000/- for candidates holding a Ph.D. degree
  • ₹67,000/- for external applicants with a Ph.D. and at least two years of research experience. Academic Allowance: One-time academic allowance of ₹10,000/- during the fellowship. Accommodation: Fellows may receive PRL accommodation or HRA in lieu of accommodation as per PRL norms

Fellowship: Monthly stipend based on the academic status of the fellow:

  • ₹58,000/- for candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis but await the degree.
  • ₹61,000/- for candidates holding a Ph.D. degree.
  • ₹67,000/- for external applicants with a Ph.D. and at least two years of research experience.

Academic Allowance: One-time academic allowance of ₹ 10,000/- during the fellowship.
Accommodation: Fellows may receive PRL accommodation or HRA in lieu of accommodation as per PRL norms.

Eligibility

  1. The applicant should complete a Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science or engineering with first-class (60%) or equivalent grades at both levels.
  2. The applicant’s age should be 35 years.

Application Process

Online

Step-01: The applicant visits the PRL website and navigate to the "Opportunities" section.
Step-02: Click on "Job Vacancies & Fellowship Programs" and select "PRL's Vikram Sarabhai Postdoctoral Fellowship (VISHWAS)" to access the online application form.
Step-03: Fill out the online application form by completing all the mandatory fields and attaching self-attested copies of the required documents.
Step-04: Submit the application by clicking on the "Submit" button. Upon submission, you will receive an application ID for future reference.

OR

Step-01: Download the prescribed format of the application form from the PRL official website.
Step-02: Fill in all the mandatory fields in the application form and attach copies of all the required documents (self-attested, if necessary).
Step-03: Email the completed application in the prescribed format to:
Chairperson, PDF Committee Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad - 380 009. India
E-mail: pdf@prl.res.in (for all correspondence)
Fax No. (91) 079 – 2631 4900
Tel. No. (91) - 079 - 2631 4869

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the duration of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship at PRL?
The fellowship is for a maximum of two years, with an annual review for extension.
What is the stipend offered under the fellowship?
The stipend ranges from ₹ 58,000 to ₹ 67,000 per month, depending on the applicant's qualifications.
Can candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis apply for the fellowship?
Yes, candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis are eligible.
Is there an age limit for applying to the fellowship?
Yes, the age limit is 35 years.
What fields of research are covered under this fellowship?
PRL covers various fields such as Astronomy, Physics, Geosciences, Space Sciences, and Theoretical Physics.
Is it mandatory to submit a research proposal?
Yes, candidates must submit a research proposal in consultation with a PRL faculty member.
How many recommendation letters are required for the application?
At least three recommendation letters from referees who are not PRL faculty members are required.
Are there specific deadlines for application submission?
Yes, applications are accepted quarterly, with deadlines in November, February, May, and August.
Is the fellowship open to foreign nationals?
No, only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.
Can employed candidates apply for the fellowship?
Yes, but they must provide a No Objection Certificate from their employer.
What is the selection process for the fellowship?
Selection is based on an initial screening, followed by an interview.
When will selected candidates be notified?
Notifications are sent after the interview process.
Can a fellow apply for an extension beyond two years?
No, the fellowship is for a maximum of two years only.
Can fellows collaborate with other researchers at PRL?
Yes, collaboration with other PRL researchers is encouraged.

References

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How to Apply for Government Schemes?

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