Date Posted: October 23, 2026
Institution Name: National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela)
Advertisement No.: NITR/SR/2025/Advt.-24CS021/L/083, dated 16.10.2026 (Ref: FTS 261014-3216, SR-R03)
National Institute of Technology Rourkela has released the NIT Rourkela Recruitment 2026 notification inviting applications for the post of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, under the sponsored project “Information Security Education and Awareness Project Phase III (Hardware Security).” NIT Rourkela is an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. A total of 2 vacancies are open under this recruitment, funded by CBSD, MeitY (RBI). Eligible candidates can apply by email, with the last date for submitting the application being November 25, 2026. Full details on eligibility, emoluments, and the application procedure are provided below.
Institution Profile:
IT Rourkela is one of the premier national level institutions for technical education in the country and is funded by the Government of India. The Government of India has elevated the Regional Engineering College, Rourkela to a university under the name of National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.
The main objective of the Institute is to produce quality Engineers and Scientists in Graduate and Post-Graduate levels in various branches of Engineering and Science. The Institute is managed by the Board of Governors of National Institute of Technology (Rourkela) Society
Employment Type: Temporary/Contractual, co-terminus with the completion of the project
Post Name/Designation
Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Project Title: Information Security Education and Awareness Project Phase III (Hardware Security)
Project Code: SR/24/CS/021 | Closing Date of Project: 31.03.2029
Funding Agency: CBSD, MeitY [RBI – 10687701200]
Principal Investigator: Prof. Shyamapada Mukherjee | Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. Sujata Mahanty
Total Vacancies
2 (Two) posts of Junior Research Fellow.
Required Educational Qualifications
Essential Qualification(s):
M.Tech./M.E./M.S.(R)/M.Tech.(R) in Computer Science/Information Technology/Electronics & Communication Engineering with a minimum 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA at both B.Tech./MCA/MSc and M.Tech. levels.
OR
B.Tech./B.E. in CSE/IT/ECE with a valid GATE score and CGPA ≥ 8.0 or marks ≥ 70%.
OR
M.Sc. (CS/IT/EC) with first class and valid GATE/NET qualification.
OR
MCA with first class and valid GATE/NET score.
Desirable Qualification:
Familiarity with concepts such as cryptographic algorithms, secure hardware design. Knowledge of Computer Architecture/Digital Circuit Design/Integrated Circuit Layout/Hardware Description Language (VHDL/Verilog)/FPGA Architecture/Hardware Security/Machine Learning and programming skills.
Age Limit
The upper age limit for applying for the award of the project position shall be 28 years, which is relaxed up to 5 years for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/PWD and Female applicants, whereas 3 years in the case of OBCs (Non-creamy layer candidates). Upper age limit shall be reckoned as on the last date of receipt of applications.
Candidate Profile
Candidates should have a strong academic background in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Electronics & Communication Engineering, with familiarity in cryptographic algorithms and secure hardware design, and knowledge of computer architecture, digital circuit design, integrated circuit layout, HDL (VHDL/Verilog), FPGA architecture, hardware security, and machine learning/programming skills.
Required Experience
The period of experience in a discipline/area of work, wherever prescribed, shall be counted after the date of acquiring the minimum prescribed educational qualification for that position. Mere possession of minimum qualification does not guarantee invitation to the interview.
Pay Scale/Pay Level
| Year | Emoluments |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | INR 37,000/- per month (+ HRA @ NA%, if applicable) |
Application Fee
Not applicable. No application fee has been prescribed for this recruitment.
Selection Process
NIT Rourkela reserves the right to fix higher criteria for short-listing eligible candidates from those satisfying the advertised qualification and requirement of the project post. Candidates will be short-listed based on merit and need of the project. Only short-listed candidates will be informed for an online interview; interview details will be notified later and published on the Department of Computer Science and Engineering section of the institute website. Selection/Joining will be cancelled in case of any suppression of information/document submitted.
Job Description
To design and develop algorithms and methods for detecting hardware threats and preventing hardware attacks.
Job Location
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sector 1, Rourkela, Sundargarh District, Odisha – 769008
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 16.10.2026 |
| Last Date for Submitting the Application | 25.11.2026 |
| Interview Details | Notified Later |
| Project Closing Date | 31.03.2029 |
Apply Mode
How to Apply
Eligible candidates are required to send the complete filled and signed application (soft copy) along with documents regarding educational qualification indicating percentage of marks/division (mark-sheets and/or certificates), research papers (if any), and work experience certificate (if any), etc. This may be built as a single PDF file and sent by email with the “Advertisement No.” mentioned on the subject line, to the email IDs mentioned below. No hard copies of application(s) are required to be sent to the Institute.
PI Email: [email protected] | Co-PI Email: [email protected]
Application Procedure
- Visit the application link for eligible candidates via the NIT Rourkela homepage: FACULTY & STAFF → SRICCE → Career → Notices.
- Complete the application form with accurate personal, educational, and experience details.
- Attach supporting documents — educational qualification mark-sheets/certificates, research papers (if any), and work experience certificate (if any).
- Consolidate the application form and all supporting documents into a single PDF file.
- Email the single PDF to [email protected] (copy to [email protected]), with the Advertisement No. “NITR/SR/2025/Advt.-24CS021/L/083” mentioned on the subject line.
- Ensure the application is submitted before the last date, November 25, 2026. No hard copies are required.
- Only short-listed candidates will be informed for an online interview.
Documents Required:
Candidates should keep the following documents ready (Kindly Read the Notification)
- Complete filled and signed application form
- Mark-sheets and/or certificates indicating percentage of marks/division (B.Tech./MCA/MSc and M.Tech. levels, as applicable)
- GATE/NET scorecard, where applicable
- Research papers, if any
- Work experience certificate, if any
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Notification (PDF) | NITR/SR/2025/Advt.-24CS021/L/083 |
| Institute Website | https://www.nitrkl.ac.in |
| Application Path | NIT Rourkela Homepage → FACULTY & STAFF → SRICCE → Career → Notices |
| PI Contact | Prof. Shyamapada Mukherjee |
| Co-PI Contact | Prof. Sujata Mahanty |
Disclaimer for Candidates: Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official NIT Rourkela notification and website before applying. Mere possession of minimum qualification does not guarantee invitation to the interview. Candidates will be short-listed based on merit and need of the project. Selection/Joining will be cancelled in case of any suppression of information/document submitted. Any other terms & conditions governed as per guidelines issued by the funding agency for the engagement of the above position, as amended from time to time, shall be in force towards this temporary recruitment. Engagement will be purely on a temporary/contractual basis and co-terminus with the completion of the project.
Institute Address:
National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Sector 1, Rourkela, Sundargarh District, Odisha – 769008
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Benefits of Joining NIT Rourkela
Joining NIT Rourkela as a Junior Research Fellow offers candidates the opportunity to work on a MeitY/RBI-funded hardware security research project at an Institute of National Importance. The position offers a monthly emolument of INR 37,000/- in the first year, along with hands-on exposure to cutting-edge research in hardware threat detection, cryptographic algorithms, secure hardware design, and FPGA-based security architectures. The role provides valuable mentorship from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering’s research team, under the guidance of Principal Investigator Prof. Shyamapada Mukherjee and Co-PI Prof. Sujata Mahanty, with a tenure of 1 year extendable up to March 31, 2029, offering a strong platform for candidates pursuing advanced research careers in information and hardware security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — NIT Rourkela Recruitment 2026
Q1. What is the NIT Rourkela Recruitment 2026 notification about?
A. It is a recruitment notification for 2 Junior Research Fellow posts in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, NIT Rourkela, under a MeitY/RBI-funded hardware security research project.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for NIT Rourkela Recruitment 2026?
A. The last date for submitting the application is November 25, 2026.
Q3. How many vacancies are available under this recruitment?
A. A total of 2 vacancies are available for the post of Junior Research Fellow.
Q4. What is the essential qualification for Junior Research Fellow?
A. Candidates need an M.Tech./M.E./M.S.(R)/M.Tech.(R) in CS/IT/ECE with 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA, or a B.Tech./B.E. in CSE/IT/ECE with a valid GATE score, or an M.Sc./MCA with first class and valid GATE/NET.
Q5. What is the monthly emolument for this position?
A. The position carries a monthly emolument of INR 37,000/- in Year 1.
Q6. How can candidates apply for NIT Rourkela Recruitment 2026?
A. Candidates must email a single consolidated PDF of the signed application and supporting documents to [email protected] and [email protected], with the Advertisement No. in the subject line.
Q7. What is the age limit for this post?
A. The upper age limit is 28 years, with relaxation up to 5 years for SC/ST/PWD/Female candidates and 3 years for OBC (Non-creamy layer) candidates.
Q8. Is there an application fee for this recruitment?
A. No, no application fee has been prescribed for this recruitment.
Q9. What is the tenure of this position?
A. The tenure is 1 year and can be extended up to March 31, 2029, the project’s closing date.
Q10. How will candidates be selected for this position?
A. Only short-listed candidates will be informed for an online interview; shortlisting is based on merit and the project’s requirements.
The NIT Rourkela Recruitment 2026 offers a strong opportunity for computer science, IT, and electronics engineering graduates to contribute to a nationally significant hardware security research initiative at an Institute of National Importance. With a straightforward email-based application process, a defined monthly stipend, and the possibility of a multi-year engagement, this recruitment is well suited to GATE/NET-qualified candidates with an interest in cryptography, secure hardware design, and FPGA-based security research. Interested candidates are encouraged to prepare their consolidated application carefully and submit it well before the November 25, 2026 deadline.
