CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai, a National Laboratory under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), will engage 16 Project Associates (7 Project Associate-II and 9 Project Associate-I) on a temporary basis in its research projects. Pay is ₹35,000 or ₹28,000 p.m. + HRA for Project Associate-II and ₹31,000 or ₹25,000 p.m. + HRA for Project Associate-I. Each position needs a B.E/B.Tech in the discipline named for it, and most Project Associate-II positions also need 2 years of R&D experience. Candidates must register online on www.serc.res.in from 16 November 2026 (10.00 am) to 25 November 2026 (up to 05.00 pm). Only registered candidates may attend the walk-in interview on 26 November 2026 (9:00 am to 10.30 am) at CSIR-SERC, Taramani, Chennai.
CSIR-SERC Recruitment 2026 at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai |
| Advertisement No. | NOTIFICATION No. SE-3/2026 (No. A1(680)2026-Rct.) |
| Post Name(s) | Project Associate-II, Project Associate-I |
| Vacancies | 16 (Project Associate-II: 7, Project Associate-I: 9) |
| Pay | ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 p.m. + HRA, depending on the post and NET/GATE status |
| Tenure | Up to March 2027, extendable up to the date printed for each position |
| Age Limit | Upper age limit 35 years as on date of interview |
| Application Fee | No registration fee |
| Job Location | CSIR-SERC, Chennai |
| Application Mode | Online registration, then walk-in interview |
| Last Date to Apply | 25-11-2026 (up to 05.00 pm) |
| Walk-in Date | 26-11-2026 (9:00 am to 10.30 am) |
About CSIR-SERC
CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre is a National Laboratory under the aegis of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). The notice describes it as one of the world's premier institutes engaged in Research & Development in Structural Engineering. It is located at CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, and the Project Associates will work in various projects at SERC, Chennai.
Vacancy Details
The notice lists 16 positions in 15 rows. The notice calls the number of positions indicative and provisional, and it may increase or decrease at the time of selection. The notice gives no category-wise break-up.
| Sl. No. | Post | Post Code | Project | Vacancies | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Associate-II | FBR040405-PAT-II | FBR040405 – Development of indigenous Cement Asphalt Mortar material for High-Speed Rail Track System | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2028) |
| 2 | Project Associate-II | GAP 66-PAT-II | GAP 66 – Enhancing Structural Engineering Education through Model-based Learning | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto June 2029) |
| 3 | Project Associate-II | IST552601-PAT-II | IST552601 – Design and Development of Offshore Wind and Wave Energy Technologies for Indian Coastline | 02 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2028) |
| 4 | Project Associate-II | MMP055202-PAT-II | MMP055202 – Assessment and Mitigation Strategy for Geo Hazards in Himalaya (AMOGH) | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2028) |
| 5 | Project Associate-I | SSP 479-PAT-I | SSP 479 – Assessing the effect of negative camber on the designed performance of Open Web Girder Bridge No. 47 between Paramjiwar Tarajiwar halt – New Runni Saidpur stations of Samastipur Division in East Central Railway | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto Mid of October 2027) |
| 6 | Project Associate-II | SSP 479-PAT-II | SSP 479 (same project as row 5) | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto Mid of October 2027) |
| 7 | Project Associate-I | MLP002638-PAT-I | MLP 002638 – 3D Printed G+1 concrete building for Earthquake-prone regions | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2028) |
| 8 | Project Associate-II | SSP 482-PAT-II | SSP 482 – Performance evaluation of AAR H Coupler & VB Coupler | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto June 2027) |
| 9 | Project Associate-I | HCP 002601-PAT-I | HCP 002601 – CSIR Jigyasa | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2031) |
| 10 | Project Associate-I | HCP 002601-PAT-I | HCP 002601 – CSIR Jigyasa | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2031) |
| 11 | Project Associate-I | SSP 458-PAT-I | SSP 458 – Quasi static and dynamic testing at component and system level of a ground test vehicle of an urban aerial mobility aircraft for determination of steady and oscillatory loads | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto February 2028) |
| 12 | Project Associate-I | NCP 040401-PAT-I | NCP 040401 – FAtigue life assessment for railway BRidges using Intelligent SENSing and lEarning (FABRISENSE) | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2028) |
| 13 | Project Associate-I | SSP 466-PAT-I | SSP 466 – Continuous health monitoring of steel concrete composite girder for Chennai Metro Rail Limited | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto January 2028) |
| 14 | Project Associate-I | SSP 466-PAT-I | SSP 466 – Continuous health monitoring of steel concrete composite girder for Chennai Metro Rail Limited | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto January 2028) |
| 15 | Project Associate-I | FIR040402-PAT-I | FIR040402 – Seismic-Responsive Elevation System: Adaptive Lift Technology for Buildings during Earthquake Events (S-Elevate) | 01 | Upto March 2027 (Extendable upto March 2028) |
| Total | 16 |
Who Can Apply
The upper age limit for every position is 35 years as on the date of interview. The upper age limit can be relaxed by five years for SC/ST/Women/Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and by 3 years for OBC. Prescribed qualifications must come from recognized Universities/institutions. Candidates must meet the essential qualifications and other conditions as on the date of interview. Each position has its own essential and desirable qualifications, listed below in the notice's order.
1. Project Associate-II (FBR040405-PAT-II)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech (Civil/Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent) from a recognized University/Institute and 2 years of Experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organisations and Scientific activities and services.
- Desirable: M.E/M.Tech/M.S (Structural Engineering/Railway Engineering/Structural Dynamics or its equivalent) from a recognized University/Institute with experience in finite element modelling and GATE Score.
2. Project Associate-II (GAP 66-PAT-II)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Civil/Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute and 2 years of experience in R & D in Industrial and Academic Institutions or S & T Organizations and scientific activities and services.
- Desirable: M.E./M.Tech in Civil/Structures/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering with First class or its equivalent from recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: Modelling experience in AUTOCAD, SOLIDWORKS, SPACELAIM or any other CAD software.
- Desirable: GATE Score.
3. Project Associate-II (IST552601-PAT-II)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Civil/Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent from recognized University/Institute and 2 years of experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organisations and Scientific activities and services.
- Desirable: M.E/M.Tech in Structures/Civil/Mechanical/Ocean/Manufacturing Engineering or its equivalent with First class from recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: GATE Score.
4. Project Associate-II (MMP055202-PAT-II)
- Essential: B.E./B.Tech in Civil/Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent from recognized University/Institute and 2 years of experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organisations/Scientific activities/services.
- Desirable: M.E./M.Tech/M.S in Civil/Structural/Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: With/without GATE Qualification.
5. Project Associate-I (SSP 479-PAT-I)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering / Electrical and Electronics Engineering / Computer Science and Engineering / Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from a recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: Knowledge of one or more of these areas: basics of programming languages like MATLAB, Python etc.; Signal Processing, data acquisition and data analytics.
6. Project Associate-II (SSP 479-PAT-II)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Civil Engineering or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute with 2 years of working experience, OR M.E/M.Tech/M.S. in Structural Engineering or other related fields.
- Desirable: M.E/M.Tech/M.S in Structural Engineering or other related fields.
- Desirable: Knowledge of one or more of these areas: basics of programming languages like MATLAB, Python, etc.; Software like STAAD Pro, ANSYS, ABAQUS, etc.; GATE Score.
7. Project Associate-I (MLP002638-PAT-I)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Civil Engineering or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: B.E/B.Tech in Civil Engineering with First class from a recognized University/Institute; Valid GATE Score; Familiarity with structural analysis softwares.
8. Project Associate-II (SSP 482-PAT-II)
- Essential: B.E./B.Tech in Civil or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute and 2 years of experience in R & D in Industrial and Academic Institutions or S&T Organizations and scientific activities and services.
- Desirable: Familiarity with the performance evaluation of the AAR H Coupler & VB Coupler.
9. Project Associate-I (HCP 002601-PAT-I, Civil)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech – Civil Engineering or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: R & D Experience in Civil Engineering / Materials.
10. Project Associate-I (HCP 002601-PAT-I, Computer Science)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech – Computer Science Engg. or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: Software Development and working experience in animation / simulation for scientific related works.
11. Project Associate-I (SSP 458-PAT-I)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Civil Engineering / Artificial Intelligence and Data Science / Artificial Engineering and Machine Learning from recognized University/Institute or its equivalent.
- Desirable: M.E./M.Tech/M.S. in Structural Engineering or other related fields.
- Desirable: Knowledge of one or more of these areas: basics of programming languages like MATLAB, Python etc.; basics of Softwares like STAAD Pro, ANSYS, ABAQUS, etc.; Gate Score.
12. Project Associate-I (NCP 040401-PAT-I)
- Essential: B.E./B.Tech in Civil Engineering / Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning / Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
- Desirable: M.E/M.Tech/M.S. in Structural Engineering or other related fields.
- Desirable: Knowledge of one or more of these areas: basics of programming languages like MATLAB, Python, etc.; Softwares like STAAD Pro, ANSYS, ABAQUS, etc.; Gate Score.
13. Project Associate-I (SSP 466-PAT-I, Electronics)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering / Instrumentation Engineering / Electrical and Electronics Engineering from recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: Knowledge of basics of programming languages like MATLAB, Python etc.
14. Project Associate-I (SSP 466-PAT-I, Computer Science / IT)
- Essential: B.E/B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering / Information Technology / Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from recognized University/Institute.
- Desirable: Knowledge of basics of programming languages like MATLAB, Python etc.
15. Project Associate-I (FIR040402-PAT-I)
- Essential: B.E./B.Tech in Civil/Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent with GATE Score / without GATE.
- Desirable: M.E/M.Tech/M.S. in Structural/Mechanical Engineering or other related fields.
- Desirable: Knowledge of one or more of these areas: basics of programming languages like MATLAB, Python, etc.; Softwares like STAAD Pro, ANSYS, ABAQUS, etc.
Final year / Semester students who are awaiting results are not eligible. Candidates should check the official notification for the discipline-specific eligibility of each position.
Pay and Tenure
| Post | Pay |
|---|---|
| Project Associate-II | (i) ₹35,000/- p.m. + HRA for candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC NET including lectureship/assistant professorship, or GATE, or National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DST/DBT or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions; (ii) ₹28,000/- p.m. + HRA for others |
| Project Associate-I | (i) ₹31,000/- p.m. + HRA for candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC NET including lectureship/assistant professorship, or GATE, or National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions; (ii) ₹25,000/- p.m. + HRA for others |
HRA is paid on top of the monthly emoluments for every position. All positions are purely temporary, on a contract/temporary basis, and co-terminus with the completion of the project. The tenure of each position runs up to March 2027 and is extendable up to the date shown in the vacancy table. The tenure may be curtailed or extended. It ends with the project, or when the requirement for Project Associate-I & II ends, whichever is earlier.
Under CSIR letter No. 5-1(342)/2017-PD dated 02.09.2024, the total engagement of a Project Staff in different projects of CSIR Labs/Instts. cannot exceed 6 years. Candidates who have already completed 6 years as Project Staff in any CSIR Lab/Instt. are not eligible to attend the walk-in interview. For selected candidates who have served less than 6 years, the tenure will end automatically on completion of six years. The positions do not give any right to a permanent appointment in CSIR-SERC.
CSIR-SERC Recruitment 2026 Job Description
The notice prints a job description for the first four positions only.
Project Associate-II (FBR040405-PAT-II)
- To carry out computational studies including finite element modelling and data analysis.
Project Associate-II (GAP 66-PAT-II)
- Familiarity with structural analysis software.
- Familiarity with programming languages like MATLAB, C, C++, python etc.
Project Associate-II (IST552601-PAT-II)
- Familiarity with structural analysis software like ANSYS, STAAD, ABAQUS, OpenSEES, ETAB, SAP2000.
- Familiarity with programming languages like MATLAB, C, C++, Python etc.
- Experimental techniques for structural engineering and earthquake engineering.
Project Associate-II (MMP055202-PAT-II)
Candidate having knowledge in one or more of the following:
- Knowledge of CAD software (like AUTOCAD), data processing tools, experimental techniques.
- Familiarity with structural analysis/numerical simulation software (SAP/ETABS/ANSYS/ABAQUS/COMSOL, etc.).
- Familiarity with programming languages like C++, MATLAB/Python.
How to Apply for CSIR-SERC Recruitment 2026
- Open the Online Recruitment Portal link on the CSIR-SERC website www.serc.res.in. Registration opens on 16 November 2026 at 10.00 am.
- Fill the online application/registration form for the position you are applying for.
- Upload the relevant documents: certificates of educational qualifications, experience, DOB, category etc.
- Complete the registration by 25 November 2026, up to 05.00 pm. There is no registration fee.
- Do not send a hard copy of the application to the office.
- Report for the walk-in interview on 26 November 2026 at CSIR-SERC, Taramani, Chennai - 600113. The interview time is 09.00 AM, and no candidate will be allowed into the venue after 10.30 AM.
Only registered candidates will be allowed to attend the walk-in interview.
Documents Required
Candidates attending the interview should bring:
- The duly signed online application form
- Self-attested photocopies of all the requisite certificates
- Aadhaar card
- Mark sheets in support of age and educational qualifications
- GATE Score card and experience certificates (if applicable)
- Original certificates, for verification on the date of interview and, if selected, at the time of joining
Candidates who do not bring their application form with the requisite educational/experience certificates, mark sheets etc. will not be allowed to attend the interview. Any document in a language other than Hindi or English must come with an English transcript attested by a Gazetted officer or Notary.
Selection and Interview
Selection is by walk-in interview on 26 November 2026. If the number of applicants is large, CSIR-SERC will shortlist candidates for the interview by one or more of these methods:
- Higher educational qualifications than the minimum prescribed in the advertisement
- Higher experience in the relevant field than the minimum prescribed in the advertisement
- Marks obtained in the academic qualification
- A written test
- Any other methodology the Selection Committee deems fit
Only candidates who have the advertised qualifications will be permitted to attend the interview. Candidates found suitable will be empaneled, and empaneled candidates may be selected for future project requirements. The final screening/selection result will be posted on https://serc.res.in/csir-recruitment.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of notification | 14-11-2026 |
| Online application/registration starts | 16-11-2026 (10.00 am) |
| Last date for online application/registration | 25-11-2026 (up to 05.00 pm) |
| Walk-in interview (Offline) | 26-11-2026 (9:00 am to 10.30 am) |
Important Instructions
- Candidature is provisional and subject to verification of certificates. If false information or a lack of eligibility is detected at any stage, the candidature will be cancelled. If it is detected after engagement, the engagement is liable to be terminated.
- No travelling allowance will be paid for attending the interview.
- Canvassing in any form, or bringing any political influence, will be treated as a disqualification.
- No enquiry regarding eligibility will be entertained.
- The Director, CSIR-SERC, may amend, delete or add terms and conditions, cancel the notification, or not fill the positions. The Director's decision on eligibility and on acceptance or rejection of applications is final.
- Corrigenda, addenda and updates will be posted only on https://serc.res.in/ or https://serc.res.in/csir-recruitment.
- For queries, call +91 044-22544756 or +91 044-22544782 during office hours (09.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.), or email [email protected].
Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| CSIR-SERC Online Recruitment Portal registration | Opens 16-11-2026 (10.00 am), closes 25-11-2026 (05.00 pm) |
| CSIR-SERC Notification SE-3/2026 PDF | Official notification |
| CSIR-SERC official website | Updates and results |
