Research at IISER Pune covers a wide range of research areas in Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics. In addition, we actively encourage research initiatives that span multiple disciplines.

IISER Pune offers modern research laboratories and computational facilities as well as comfortable housing for students selected into a graduate program at the institute. A core component of graduate student life at IISER Pune includes opportunities to participate in a broad range of seminars, meetings and workshops. This gives our students a chance to interact with people from other research organisations within the country and abroad.

Course Overview

The PhD programme at IISER Pune is a blend of classroom curriculum, mentoring under-graduate students along with a major research component. The research scholars are expected to complete at least 16 credits of coursework within the first two semesters followed by a comprehensive examination to assess the student’s candidacy for PhD. They must deliver a departmental seminar and undertake tutoring activities in at least three courses (theory and/or laboratory courses). In the first two years, the student will receive a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Upon the successful completion of the comprehensive examination and two years of JRF, the student will be eligible to receive a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) for a maximum of another three years. The research progress of the student will be monitored on a yearly basis by a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) involving the thesis supervisor (Convener) and two other faculty members. Upon completion of satisfactory research work (as construed by the RAC), the research scholar will deliver a research seminar regarding their work before the submission of thesis. The submitted thesis will be evaluated by external examiners before the conduct of viva-voce. Successful open defense of the thesis will lead to award of PhD degree during the annual convocation.

IISER Pune admits students to doctoral programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics. Students with a master’s degree in Science, Engineering, Math or a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Medicine with at least 60% marks (aggregate) are encouraged to apply to our PhD programme. In addition to the qualifying degree, we expect the students to have qualified a national examination such as CSIR-UGC NET/GATE/JEST/NBHM/JGEEBILS, etc., depending on their area of research interest. BS-MS/Masters students from any of the Institutes of National Importance with a CGPA 8 or above on a 10-point scale are exempted from national-level test eligibility related criteria.

We accept only online applications which will be available after a formal advertisement. All communications will be only through email and no individual letters will be posted to any candidates. Students will be selected to the PhD programme based on performance in the interviews. Complete details about eligibility and qualifications for each department will be displayed on the page at the time when applications are invited.

Candidates who hold non-Indian passports, but are Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and have obtained their qualifying degree ( 10+2 or equivalent, Bachelors, and Masters) while living (or domiciled) in India can apply through the departmental portals.

Openings

The PhD programme is offered in all departments of the institute including Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics. Click the following links to know more about the ongoing research in these departments at IISER Pune.

Biology  |  Chemistry  |   Data Science  |  Earth and Climate Science  |  Humanities and Social Sciences  |   Mathematics  |  Physics