Mumbai: The Centre for Excellence in Marine Studies at the University of Mumbai (MU) has invited applications as of 20th May for the post of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) under an investigative study sponsored by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India. The project is titled, “Bioprospecting Microalgae for High Value Compounds with Commercial Significance,” and is stated to be centred on the sampling and exploration of marine microalgae for profitable compounds, such as antioxidants, lipids, anti-aging bioactives, as well as analgesic and antidiabetic compounds
The research is to be conducted for a period of two years. The position of JRF—which currently has only one opening—is to be initially held for a single year. Should the selected candidate’s contributions prove a high degree of competence on their part, the duration of the fellowship will be extended up to the remaining tenure of the project. The JRF is to receive a stipend of ₹37,000 per month during this period, with House Rent Allowance (HRA).
The project will involve research across the disciplines of ocean biology, biotechnology, molecular analysis, and bioactive compound screening. Therefore, a first-class Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in either Marine Biology, Marine Biotechnology, Biotechnology, Oceanography, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Biotechnology, Botany, or any allied science is required. Applicants must also fulfil the Junior Research Fellowship eligibility criteria of the MoES and/or the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Only those who have been selected as JRFs through national-level eligibility examinations like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR-UGC NET), or the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) will be considered for the JRF position on the project. Consideration will also be extended to those who have been selected through national-level examinations conducted by the agencies and institutions of the Central Government, such as the Departments of Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Atomic Energy, and Space (DST, DBT, DAE, & DOS); the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO); the Ministry of Education (MoE); the Indian Councils of Agricultural Research, and Medical Research (ICAR & ICMR), the Indian Institutes of Technology, Science, and Science Education and Research (IITs, IIScs, & IISERs); the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) etc.
Marine sample collection, microalgae isolation and culturing, molecular identification, bioactive compound screening, data analysis, as well as assistance in report/publication preparation will make up the main duties of the JRF. Therefore, prior experience in field sampling, microalgal culturing, molecular biology and/or Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) bioinformatics, chromatography and/or mass spectrometry (MS), and biochemical and/or enzymatic assays is desired.
It is required that the candidate should ideally not be over 30 years of age on the closing date for applications. Government and MU rules provide relaxations in this regard for women, as well as candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC)/ Scheduled Tribes (ST)/ Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories.
Interested individuals are to submit an e-mail to MU containing an application letter, an updated CV, copies of marksheets and degree certificates, certificates of entrance examinations like NET or GATE, any available experience certificates, and the contact details of two external references. “Application for JRF under MoES Project – Bioprospecting Microalgae,” is to be the subject line. Along with the e-mail application, a hard copy of the same with all the mentioned documents and certificates is to be submitted to Professor Varsha Kelkar-Mane, the Principal Investigator at the Centre for Excellence in Marine Studies, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Kalina, Santacruz (East), Mumbai – 400098. The last date for the receipt of both applications is 15th June, 2026.
More information on MU’s activities in relation to marine studies as well as allied fields is available on the official website of the university.
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