ICMR Invites Applications For Centenary Post Doctoral Fellowship December 2023 Batch, details

Delhi: The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has invited applications for the ICMR Centenary-Post Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) for the December 2023 Batch.

The complete application may be submitted in the required format along with all necessary enclosures as per the existing guidelines and as per the eligibility criteria w.e.f. 1.1.2024 to 31.1.2024 (by 5:30 pm). The application needs to be submitted to: The Director General, Kind Attention: Dr. Geeta Jotwani, Scientist-G and Head, Division of Human Resource Development, ICMR, New Delhi-110029. Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified.

“Application for ICMR centenary post-doctoral fellowship” should clearly be written on top of the envelope containing the application form.

Applications (hard and soft copy) complete in all respects must reach on or before the closing date. The application must be submitted along with a PowerPoint presentation (maximum 5 slides) of the proposal (click for the slide format), research proposal, and thesis summary (one page). Application received without the recommendation of the host institute Director/Director-in charge will not be considered.

Instructions to fill in the application form –

1. The applicants need to download and fill out the application form duly signed.

2. No column of the application form should be left blank. Kindly write NA/Nil wherever applicable.

3. Use additional sheets for the research proposal, if required, with relevant headings, inserting proper references.

4. Complete application along with a cover letter should be accompanied by all the requisite documents (self-attested).

5. Applicants are requested to go through the ‘checklist’ of documents given below before submitting the application.

6. The name given here should be the same as given in your matriculation/ higher secondary certificate and degree certificates. If there is a change, addition, or deletion, an affidavit from a Notary public/Magistrate is necessary.

7. The name given here should be the same as given in your matriculation/ higher secondary certificate and degree certificates. If there is a change, addition, or deletion, an affidavit from a Notary public/Magistrate is necessary.

8. In case grades are awarded, please attach the sheet giving the conversion of grades to the percentage of marks.

9. Specializations may be indicated in terms of 1 – Subject, 2 - Broad Area(s) of specialization, and 3 - Exact areas(s) of specialization.

Eligibility -

1. ICMR PDF is open to Indian nationals only.

2. Fresh PhD within three years of completing their PhD degree (awarded) as on the last date of the application, and also those who have received their provisional doctorate degree can apply. A copy of the degree is to be submitted – on/before the last date of application form.

3. The post-doctoral proposed research work should be the continuation of the PhD research work. If not, then the application will not be considered.

4. The PDF Guide should have the minimum designation of Scientist-C grade.

Maximum Age Limit -

1. 32 years, relaxable up to 5 years in case of SC/ST/OBC/PH and women candidates, as on the last date of application.

2. For deserving candidates age can be relaxed maximum of up to three years based on previous work experience, publications/patents, awards, etc., along with the request by the sponsoring Director/Director-in-Charge.

3. The Director General, ICMR may consider and relax on the recommendation of the screening committee.

Tenure -

1. Two years only and extendable for a maximum of one more year based on work performance and recommendations from the guide and Director/Officer-in-Charge of the host institution.

2. However, the extension for the third year is subject to the recommendations from the expert committee and approval from the competent authority of the ICMR.

3. In the event of the PDF leaving before completing one year, he/she will have to refund the fellowship drawn by him/her from the date of joining to the date of leaving the fellowship.

Remuneration -

1. ICMR PDFs will be paid a consolidated fellowship of Rs. 65,000 per month w.e.f. 31-07-2020 (Order No. 1/2/2020-Admin-II, Dated 31-07-2020) plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Govt. of India rule, Non-Practicing allowance (NPA) as admissible and a contingency grant of Rs. 3.0 lakhs per annum.

2. 25% of the contingency grant can be used for travel, including per diem expenses (only for national travel, related to ICMR-PDF proposed research work only).

Mode of Selection -

Selection of the post-doctoral fellow will be made through a personal discussion/interview of short-listed candidates by a selection committee constituted by the DG, ICMR, based on their research experience, publications, citations, and impact factors.

The place of the interview will be ICMR Hqrs. New Delhi. Eligible candidates must route their applications through the host institution. Applicants (Indian nationals) coming from abroad may also be considered in absentia if eligible and found suitable by the Committee.

Accommodation and other benefits -

Accommodation may be provided by the host institution if available. However, in such cases, HRA will not be paid. ICMR PDFs will be entitled for medical benefits and leaves as per the ICMR rules for JRF/Research Associates.

Details issued –

1. It is mandatory to submit the plagiarism check report and provisional/original doctorate degree copy and declaration (click for the format) along with the application.

2. The plagiarism check report should be verified by ICMR-Research Integrity Officer (RIO).

3. The guide and director of the host institute should ensure a thorough review of the research proposal before submitting it to the ICMR.

4. Fellowship amount will be paid to host institutes/centers every six months, including a contingency grant.

5. In all matters, the decision of the ICMR Competent Authority shall be final.

6. A list of ICMR Institutes/Centers and their niche Areas/R&D activities are available on the ICMR website. For more information about institutes/centres, please visit the websites of the individual Institutes/Centers.

Checklist –

1. Photograph on the application form

2. Affidavit if you carry different names/Surnames on your certificates

3. Attested copy of school leaving/ high school/secondary school certificate (for date of birth)

4. Attested copies of Mark Sheets/Grade Cards and degrees for MSc/M Phil/B Pharm/M Pharm/PhD

5. Attested copy of the caste certificate, if applicable

6. List of research publications

7. Reprints of research publications

8. One-page summary of PhD thesis

9. Attested copies of letter(s) of acceptance for paper(s) accepted for publication & pre-prints

10. Detailed research proposal

11. Testimonials from two referees (one should be PhD guide)

12. Plagiarism check report verified by ICMR-Research Integrity Officer (RIO)

ICMR, with its 27 state-of-the-art institutes/centers, is amongst the foremost research organizations in the field of biomedical sciences. Over the years, the ICMR has helped in making a scientific milieu in India, creating and nurturing talent in various disciplines of biomedical health related research.

ICMR PDF program aims to foster high-quality research opportunities for promising fresh Ph.D. degree holders in the areas of biomedical health research, including basics and fundamental research, disease biology, epidemiology, diagnostic development and drug delivery, new generation therapeutics and vaccines and alternative system of medicine in areas of communicable, non-communicable diseases, reproductive and child health including nutrition focusing on descriptive, discovery, development and delivery research.

To view the notice, the applicants need to visit the official website of ICMR.