Advertisement No. VSSC-339

  1. Home
  2. Careers

ADVERTISEMENT NO. VSSC-339 DATED 20.04.2026

APPLY PRINT Verify OTP
IMPORTANT DATES
Crucial Date of Eligibility 05th May 2026
Opening Date of Online Application 20th April 2026, Time: 10:00 Hrs
Closing Date of Submission of Online Application 05th May 2026, Time: 17:00 Hrs

Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, conducts front ranking research in different disciplines of Atmospheric, Space, and Planetary Sciences. SPL is also involved in major space and atmospheric science programmes of the country, such as Chandrayaan, Mars Mission, ISRO-Geosphere Biosphere Programme, etc. SPL has a very vibrant research fellowship programme, with strength of about 30 students at any time of the year. Well-equipped laboratories and major experimental facilities are available exclusively for these studies, besides access to the scientific data from ISRO’s and other satellites. SPL also co-ordinates major experimental campaigns, at national and international level, using balloons, aircrafts, rockets, and research ship cruises, and is a leading contributor to India’s polar research programme. SPL offers excellent and challenging research opportunities in various areas like Boundary Layer Physics, Physics/Chemistry/Dynamics of Lower, Middle, & Upper atmosphere, the coupling processes, Ionospheric Physics, Land-Atmosphere-Ocean Interactions, Atmospheric Aerosols, Trace Gases, Clouds, Meteorology, Space Weather phenomena and Lunar & Planetary Explorations and Modelling.

Applications are invited for the position of JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOW (JRF) in SPL, Thiruvananthapuram as follows.

Position Code Position No. of positions Essential qualifications for the post
01/2026 Junior Research Fellow 08
  • (a) M.Sc. Degree in Physics / Applied Physics / Engineering Physics / Space Physics / Atmospheric Science / Meteorology / Planetary Sciences OR M.S / M.E / M.Tech in Atmospheric Science / Space Science / Planetary Science / Applied Physics / Engineering Physics with minimum 60% marks as average of all semesters in aggregate or CGPA/CPI grading of 6.5 on a 10 point scale or equivalent.
  • (b) Applicants should also have qualified one of the following:
    1. CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test, including NET-Lectureship.
    2. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) conducted by MHRD.
    3. Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST)

HOW TO APPLY :

  • Candidates are required to apply online through VSSC website https://www.vssc.gov.in from 10:00 hours on 20.04.2026 to 17:00 hours on 05.05.2026. No other means/mode of application will be accepted.
  • Candidate should read the instructions in the advertisement and online application carefully before making any entry or selecting any option.
  • Scanned copy of the following documents (as a single pdf document) should also be uploaded by the candidate while applying online:
    • M.Sc. / M.Tech. Degree certificate and consolidated mark sheet.
    • GATE / NET / JEST score sheet and award letter.
    • Proof of age.
    • Proof of SC/ST/OBC (If applicable)
  • Before clicking the submit button, the candidate is advised to verify all the details filled in are correct. Candidate may also ensure that name, date of birth, etc. are entered correctly in the application form as per Secondary School Certificate. After final submission of application, no request for change/correction in any of information in the application form shall be entertained.
  • After submitting the online application form, candidate is required to take print out / save copy of the final application form in pdf and preserve it till the completion of selection process.
  • Candidates will have to produce the proof of the details furnished in their applications submitted on-line as and when required.
  • Misrepresentation, hiding or falsification of facts detected at any stage of the selection process, will result in cancellation of candidature, without any notice, and no correspondence in this regard will be entertained.

"GOVERNMENT STRIVES TO HAVE A WORKFORCE WHICH REFLECTS GENDER BALANCE AND WOMEN CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY"


General Conditions / Instructions

  1. The number of positions indicated above is provisional.
  2. AGE LIMIT
    1. 28 years as on 05.05.2026.
    2. 31 years for OBC candidates and 33 years in case of SC/ST candidates. Persons with Disability are eligible for age relaxation as per rules
  3. EMOLUMENTS
    1. The Fellowship is initially for a period of ONE YEAR and is renewable annually for a total period of FIVE years. There will be a review of the activity every year for the renewal of the fellowship.
    2. The Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) carries an amount of Rs.37,000 per month, with a possibility to be increased to Rs.42,000/- as Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), after two years, on successful completion and review of research work of the previous two years by a review committee.
    3. Candidates are eligible for HRA as per rules of VSSC. The research fellows will not be entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA).
  4. SELECTION PROCESS: The selection of JRF will be based on the performance of the candidate in the interview. Initial screening of applications will be conducted to short-list meritorious candidates for interview. The qualification prescribed is the minimum requirement and the same does not automatically make candidates eligible for interview. The interview will be scheduled at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram. The call letter for interview will be sent to the short-listed candidates by e-mail. The result of the interview will be announced through the VSSC website subsequently.

    At the time of interview, the candidates are required to produce original documents of the following:

    1. Originals of all certificates, mark sheets, certificates in proof of educational qualification(s), [Equivalency Certificate in case of foreign Degree], age etc.
    2. No Objection Certificate, from the employer concerned in respect of those applicants who are employed under Central/State Government/Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Bodies.

    The selected JRFs will work on specific research themes and can register for Ph.D degree. Selected candidates should be willing to work anywhere in India (including remote places) and partake in field experiments including aircrafts and ship cruises, as per the requirements.

  5. OBJECTION CERTIFICATE: Candidates who are employed under Central/State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies etc. have to submit `No Objection Certificate’ from the employer concerned, at the time of Interview or as and when called for. However, the candidate should apply for the post only under intimation to and with the prior permission of the employer. A candidate who may gain/change employment after applying for the post, is required to inform the employer the particulars of his/her application and shall mandatorily submit NOC at the time of Interview. Any candidate, who fails to submit NOC in original at the time of Interview, shall not be permitted to appear in the Interview and TA will not be paid.
  6. Candidates possessing Degrees awarded by foreign universities should produce the equivalency certificate issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) New Delhi, at the time of applying.
  7. SERVICE CONDITIONS: Selected students will first undergo course work, and subsequently work under the supervision of a senior faculty of SPL for Ph.D. They will be allowed medical benefits for self, as per the rules of VSSC. Research Fellows are eligible for leave as per DOS norms. Participation of JRF/SRF in any scientific event in India or abroad will be treated as “on duty” and they will be eligible for travelling allowance as per rules.
  8. The applicants need not send any documents (by post/email) such as printout of online application, copies of certificates / mark lists in proof of educational qualification, work experience, age etc.
  9. Candidates should be willing to undergo biometric verification, if required.
  10. Only Indian Nationals need apply
  11. Outstation candidates called for Interview will be paid to and fro Second Class Railway Fare (Sleeper Ticket) by the shortest route on production of proof of journey such as Railway Tickets/Ticket Number or Bus tickets, etc. If the candidate’s travel is in a higher class of accommodation than the one prescribed, only Second Class rail fare will be paid.
  12. If any information furnished in the online application is found to be incorrect or false on verification, the candidate will not be permitted to attend for interview and Travelling Allowance will not be paid.
  13. The Centre reserves the right not to fill up any of the positions, if it so desires.
  14. No interim correspondence will be entertained.
  15. Canvassing in any form will be a disqualification.

WARNING: Beware of Touts and job racketeers trying to deceive by false promises of securing job in DOS/ISRO either through influence or by use of unfair and unethical means. DOS/ISRO never appoints any agent(s) or coaching center(s) for action on its behalf. Candidates are warned against any such claims being made by persons/agencies. Candidates are selected purely as per merit. Beware of unscrupulous elements and do not fall in their trap.


Further corrigenda / addenda / updates, if any, related to this advertisement will be published only in the VSSC website. Hence all applicants are advised to check the VSSC website regularly.