JRF 2012 at IGCAR, Kalpakkam

Applications are invited by Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam from interested students for the award of Junior Research Fellowships of the Department of Atomic Energy tenable during the year 2012. Selected candidates will be eligible to register for PhD in Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI, a deemed to be university of Department of Atomic Energy).

FELLOWSHIP AND TENURE:
The selected candidates will be initially taken as Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and will be paid a stipend of Rs.16,000/- per month (consolidated). The fellowship will be provided initially for a period of two years. Continuation of the fellowship is subject to satisfactory performance and review at the end of each year. On satisfactory performance, the tenure of Fellowship will be further extended and upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) from the third year onwards with a stipend of Rs.18,000/- per month (consolidated). The total period of the fellowship shall in no case exceed five years. They are entitled for contingency grant including book allowance of Rs.20,000/- per year.

1. AREAS OF RESEARCH PROJECTS:

CHEMICAL SCIENCES: Chemical Thermodynamics, Solid State and High Temperature Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Spectroscopy and Laser, Radiochemistry, Advanced Separation Techniques, Actinide Chemistry, Trace and Ultra Trace Analytical Techniques and Chemical Sensors.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES: Solid State Phase Transformations, Superconductivity, Structure and Dynamics of Soft Condensed Matter, Band Structure Studies, Accelerators Based Irradiation Induced Phenomena, Low-dimensional Systems, Physics of Interfaces, Nano-materials, Thin Films Technology and Theoretical Physics.

METALLURGY OR MATERIALS SCIENCE: Solid State Phase Transformations, Materials Development and characterization, Phase Equilibria, Creep, Fatigue, Texture and Fracture Studies, Microstructural, Surface Modification and Characterization Studies, Corrosion and Interface Phenomenon.

ENGINEERING SCIENCES: Robotics and Development of Intelligent Machines, Thermal Hydraulics and Structural Mechanics, Design of Critical Components, Nanotechnology, Modeling Studies, Post-accident Safety Analysis, Wireless Networking, Parallel Computing, Embedded and Simulator Systems, Non-destructive Evaluation and Reliability, Chemical Process Design and Modeling.

2. DISCIPLINES:
The qualifying degrees for the above projects should be in one of the following disciplines:
a) Physics
b) Chemistry
c) Computer Science
d) Metallurgy / Materials Science & Engineering / Materials technology / Materials Science Engineering
e) Chemical Engineering
f) Electronics & Communication Engineering
g) Mechanical Engineering
h) Atmospheric Sciences

3. ELIGIBILITY :
The candidate must be an Indian national. The candidate should be less than 28 years of age as on 01.07. 2012 (date of birth 1st July 1983 or later). A relaxation of up to 5 years in age can be given in the case of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, 10 years in the case of Physically Challenged applicants. A relaxation of up to 3 years in age can be given in the case of Other Backward Class applicants.

4. QUALIFICATIONS:
Category-A : Those who have already completed MSc
The candidate must have obtained a minimum of 60% marks Master of Science (MSc) Degree from a recognized University in one of the following disciplines.

a) Physics or Materials Science: Master of Science in Physics / Materials Science with Mathematics / Numerical Methods as one of the subjects studied at the MSc level and Chemistry as an ancillary subject up to 60% at BSc level.
b) Chemistry: Master of Science in Chemistry with Physics and Mathematics studied as ancillary subjects up to 60% at BSc level.
c) Atmospheric Sciences: Master of Science / MTech in Meteorology / Atmospheric
Sciences / Physical Oceanography

Category-B : Those who have already completed BE / BTech / BS or BSc Engineering / BSc Tech from a recognized University

The candidate must have obtained a minimum of 60% marks in one of the engineering disciplines given below:
(i) Computer Science & Engineering (ii) Metallurgical Engineering (iii) Chemical Engineering (iv) Mechanical Engineering (v) Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering(vi) Electronics & Communication Engineering (vii) Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

Category-C : Candidates in the final year / semester of MSc / BE / BTech / BS or BSc Engineering / BSc [Tech].

The candidate must be in the final year / semester of MSc / BE / BTech / BS or BSc Engineering / BSc [Tech] Degree course in recognized Universities in one of the disciplines as mentioned above in Category-A and Category-B. Such candidates should have scored marks above 60% in each previous semester / year and minimum aggregate of 60% in BSc level [in the case of MSc candidates]. In case such candidates eventually join the Centre, they shall have acquired aggregate marks of 60% in the qualifying degrees. Relevant certificates to this effect should be submitted at the time of joining the Centre.

5. SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Applications will be scrutinized and suitability of candidates will be decided on the basis of their academic performance. In each discipline, depending upon the number of applicants, candidates with marks above a cut-off will be called for WRITTEN TEST. For candidates under Category A or B percent marks of each previous semester / year of the qualifying degree will be used to decide the cut-off. For candidates under Category-C the percent marks of each previous semester/year of the qualifying degree will be used to decide the cut-off. Hence, candidates are advised to attach copies of all necessary mark sheets along with calculation showing the average marks scored.

It is proposed to conduct the Written Test at Chennai.

Exemption from WRITTEN TEST: Suitable candidates satisfying any of the following will be exempted from the written test and will be called directly for the selection interview:
(a) Candidates with valid UGC-CSIR-NET / INSPIRE Fellowship
(b) Candidates with JEST- 2011 / 2012 score of 90 percentile and above
(c) Candidates with ME / MTech degree with aggregate marks of 60% or higher and a GATE score higher than 90 percentile.

6. APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
i) The Application Form and Hall Ticket Form can also be downloaded from the IGCAR website: www.igcar.gov.in
ii) Send the completed Application Form typed on an A4 size sheet and Hall Ticket Form along with the required enclosures by Post (Registered or speed post of Indian Postal service) ,so as to reach IGCAR on or before March 23, 2012 to :
The Administrative Officer–II (Recruitment), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam–603102, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu.
Superscribe the envelope: "JRF, Advt. No. 01/2012" & also the discipline clearly (as given in 2 - QUALIFYING DEGREES).

Attested copies of the following certificates must accompany the application form:
 Proof of date of birth
 Caste certificate, if applicable
 DEGREE certificates and
 Mark lists of BSc, MSc or BE / BTech, ME / MTech, BSEngg. / BSc [Tech]
 Consolidated mark sheets and calculation for aggregate marks of the qualifying exams to be attached
 Candidates under Category-C must provide the mark sheets of all previous years / semesters
 Sheet giving details of conversion from CGPA to percentage marks, where applicable
 UGC-CSIR NET / INSPIRE Fellowship certificate, JEST - 2011/2012 score sheet, GATE score sheet wherever applicable.

Important Dates:
Last date for receipt of applications : March 23, 2012
Written Test : May 12, 2012
Interview : May 13/14, 2012 (Sunday/Monday)
Likely Date of Joining : July 1, 2012

For further details, logon to : http://www.igcar.gov.in/recruitment/JRF01_2012.pdf