Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)

Vacancy Name : Junior Research Fellow, Research Associate
Educational Qualification : M.Sc, M.Phil/Ph.d
Total No Of  Vacancy : 17 Posts
Salary : Rs.25,000-38,000/-per month
Job Location : Thiruvananthapuram
Last Date To Apply For This Job :  22/02/2016
Address For The Job Vacancy : Senior Administrative Officer, Recruitment & Review Section, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 022

Applications are invited for JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (JRF) & RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (RA) positions tenable at one of the premier research institutions in India, the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram. VSSC is one of the lead centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Space Physics Laboratory (SPL), a pioneer institution dedicated for research in different disciplines of Atmospheric, Space, and Planetary Sciences, offers excellent and challenging research opportunities in various fields, including Physics, Chemistry and Dynamics of surface, lower, middle, and upper atmosphere, ionosphere and their coupling processes, Land-Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction, Aerosols, Trace Gases, Clouds, Space Weather phenomena and Lunar & Planetary Explorations.  SPL is involved in major space and atmospheric science programmes of the country, such as Chandrayaan, Mars Mission, YouthSat, Megha-Tropiques, ISRO-Geosphere Biosphere Programme, etc. 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 has a very vibrant research fellowship programme, with strength of about 20 to 25 students at any time of the year. SPL proposes to recruit Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) based on the following criteria and service conditions as per the new norms issued by DoS vide Order No. A.9/2/1/2005-II (I) dated 30th January 2015.

1. No of Post : 08 Posts
2. Eligibility : a) M.Sc. Degree in Physics/Applied Physics/Space Physics /Atmospheric Science/Meteorology/ Space Science/Planetary Sciences/Astronomy/ Astrophysics or any other allied field or with M.Sc. Physics with specialization in any one of the above subjects including Electronics, or M. Tech in Atmospheric/Space/Planetary Sciences/Applied Physics or allied fields with minimum 60% marks as average of all semesters or CGPA/CPI grading of 6.5 on a 10 point scale or equivalent, and 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 Admission Test (JAM) conducted by MHRD. 4. Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST)
3. Age Limit : 28 years as on 22.02.2016 (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).
4. Pay and Allowances : 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 before renewal. The Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) carries an amount of Rs.25,000 per month, with a possibility to be increased to Rs.28,000/-, a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), after two years, on successful completion and review of research work of the previous two years by a review committee.Candidates are eligible for HRA as per rules of VSSC.

RESEARCH ASSOICATE:

1. No of Post : 09 Posts
2. Eligibility : Candidates should have earned their Ph.D. degree in any discipline of Science or Technology. Their Ph.D. thesis should be in the areas of atmospheric, space, and planetary sciences which are relevant to the fields of research being carried out at SPL. Only those candidates who have carried out their Ph.D. work outside SPL are eligible to apply. A research proposal (not exceeding 2000 words) on the work they intend to carry out at SPL in the domain of SPL’s research activity must be submitted along with the application. [Candidates possessing PhD awarded by foreign Universities/Institutions have to submit its Equivalency Certificate issued by Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi]
3. Upper Age Limit : 35 years as on 29.02.16/ 30.04.16 / 30.06.16 /31.08.16/ 31.10.16 / 31.12.16. (38 years for OBC candidates and 40 years in case of SC/ST candidates. Persons with Disability are eligible for age relaxation as per rules).
4. Pay and Allowances : The Research Associateship is initially for a period of ONE YEAR and is renewable annually for a total period of two years (three years in exceptional cases). There will be a review of the progress of the work before the renewal every year. The RA position carries an amount of Rs.36000/- for the first year, Rs.38,000/- for the second year and Rs.40,000/- for the third year. Candidates are also eligible for HRA as admissible to regular employees of VSSC.

Selection Procedure:

1. Candidates can apply on or before  22/02/2016
2. 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 at the VSSC website subsequently. Selection will be based on the performance at the interview. 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 based campaigns, as per the requirements.
3. Application are invited throughout the year and screening of applications will be done bi-monthly in 2016 ie., 31.03.16/ 31.05.16 / 31.07.16/ 30.09.16 / 30.11.16 / 31.12.16. The qualification prescribed is the minimum requirement and the same does not automatically make candidates eligible for the interview. After the initial screening of the application and considering the merit of the submitted research proposal, the candidates found suitable will be called for an interview at VSSC

General Conditions :

1. The number of positions indicated above is provisional.
2. Candidates will have to produce proof of the details furnished in their applications submitted on-line at the time of interview.
3. Only short listed candidates will be called for Interview.
4. Outstation candidates called for Interview will be paid to and fro Second Class Railway Fare by the shortest route including reservation/sleeper charges on production of proof of journey such as Railway Tickets/Ticket Number or Bus tickets, etc. If the candidates travel in a higher class of accommodation than the one prescribed, only Second Class rail fare excluding the reservation charges/sleeper charges will be paid.
5. If any information furnished in the on-line 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.
6. The Centre reserves the right not to fill up the position, if it so decides.
7. Only Indian Nationals need apply.
8. No interim correspondence will be entertained.
9. Canvassing in any form will be a disqualification. “Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.”

How To Apply?:

1. Applications will be received on-line only. The application format for on-line registration is available in the website http://www.vssc.gov.in from ­­­­­­­­­­­10.00 hours on 08.02.2016 to 17.00 hours on 22.02.2016.
2. Upon on-line registration, applicants will be provided with an on-line Registration Number, which should be carefully preserved for future reference. After submission, it is mandatory for the applicant to send the following documents: 1. A confirmatory copy of the on-line application. 2. Self-attested copies of all testimonials in proof of educational qualifications (complete mark sheets & certificates), experience, age, qualification of NET/GATE/JAM/JEST etc. 3. No Objection Certificate, from the employer concerned in respect of those applicants who are employed under Central / State Government / Public Sector Undertakings / Autonomous Bodies.
3. The candidates have to send the documents mentioned above to Senior Administrative Officer, Recruitment & Review Section, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 022 by speed post superscribing “RECRUITMENT TO THE POSITION OF JRF (ADVT. NO.293) on the envelope within seven days of submission of the online application and in any case not later than 29.02.2016.