National Innovation Foundation - Government hiring Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology candidates

The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) - India, established in March 2000 with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, serves as India's national initiative to strengthen grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge. Its core mission is to help India evolve into a creative and knowledge-based society by expanding the policy and institutional space for grassroots technological innovators.

Applications are invited from eligible Indian citizens for filling up the various posts of Scientists at NIF on Direct Recruitment through open competition on all India basis, as per the details given below.

Scientist ‘D’ (PC- 01) - 01 Post
Essential Qualifications : 1. Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline in the areas of Biological Sciences/ Environmental Sciences/ Agricultural Sciences/ Biotechnology/ Veterinary Sciences/ Pharmaceutical Sciences or any equivalent discipline, from a recognised University or Institute.
2. Five years of experience in research and development in the relevant field.
3. At least five original published works of high standard in journals of national/ international repute.
Desirable
1. Qualification in Public Policy/ Development Studies or a related discipline of Social Sciences from a recognised University or Institute.
2. Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting impact assessments, programme evaluations, and evidence-based research studies.
3. Experience in field-based research in rural, remote, hilly, or tribal areas, and engagement with grassroots innovators, farmers, artisans, self-help groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and other community institutions.
4. Demonstrated experience in preparing high-quality research and policy outputs, including policy briefs, white papers, working papers, case studies, evaluation reports, programme reports, innovation roadmaps, and other publications for relevant stakeholders.

Scientist ‘C’ (PC- 04) - 02 posts
Essential Qualifications : 1. Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) from a recognised University or Institute in Biological Sciences/ Pharmaceutical Sciences, or equivalent discipline.
2. Three years of experience in research and development in the relevant field.
3. Minimum three original published works of high standard in journals of national/international repute.
Desirable
1. Knowledge of Indian traditional healthcare systems, including herbal and community-based health practices, scientific validation, standardisation, prioritisation, incubation, and technology development.
2. Experience in safety, efficacy, and quality assessment in preclinical/clinical studies, qualitative and quantitative characterisation of organic/inorganic compounds, bioanalytical techniques, advanced analytical instrumentation.
3. Knowledge of laboratory quality systems and regulatory standards, including Good Laboratory Practices, pharmacopoeial standards, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, WHO guidelines for herbal medicines, and ethical, regulatory, and intellectual property frameworks relevant to human and animal health research.
4. Experience in multidisciplinary research coordination and project management, including preparation of technical and regulatory dossiers, scientific publications, intellectual property support, and engagement with research institutions, industry, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders for product development and scale-up.

Scientist ‘B’ (PC- 05) - 02 posts
Essential Qualifications : 1. Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) from a recognised University or Institute in Biological Sciences/ Agricultural Sciences, or equivalent discipline OR First Class Master's Degree in Biotechnology or an equivalent discipline from a recognised University or Institute.
2. Minimum two original published works of high standard in journals of national/ international repute.
Desirable
1. Knowledge of indigenous and traditional knowledge systems, with experience in scouting, documentation, verification, and scientific validation of traditional knowledge and grassroots innovations.
2. Experience in technical assessment of innovations, including prior art searches using patent and non-patent literature, scientific databases.
3. Experience in conducting field research, including baseline studies, on-farm trials, multi-location demonstrations, and monitoring the diffusion, adoption, and impact of grassroots technologies.
4. Knowledge of ethical and legal frameworks, including prior informed consent and experience in coordinating with innovators, farmers, and other stakeholders.

Nationality : The applicant must be a citizen of India.

PAY SCALES
Scientist ‘D’
Pay Level (7th CPC) : Level-12 (₹ 78,800 – 2,09,200)
Upper Age Limit (Direct Recruitment) : Not exceeding 40 years

Scientist ‘C’
Pay Level (7th CPC) : Level-11 (₹ 67,700 – 2,08,700)
Upper Age Limit (Direct Recruitment) : Not exceeding 35 years

Scientist ‘B’
Pay Level (7th CPC) : Level-10 (₹ 56,100 – 1,77,500)
Upper Age Limit (Direct Recruitment) : Not exceeding 35 years

(minimum four year degree course)
Discipline : Pharmaceutical Sciences
Equivalent
1. Pharmacology
2. Pharmacy
3. Medicinal Chemistry
4. Pharmaceutical Chemistry
5. Any other relevant discipline with qualifying degree with ‘Pharmacy’ as the main discipline

Application Fee
(i) Candidates belonging to the UR/OBC/EWS categories are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹1,000/- (Rupees One Thousand only).
(ii) Candidates belonging to the SC/ST/PwBD, and Women candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee.
(iii) The application fee shall be paid through the prescribed online payment gateway using the modes available on the recruitment portal. Any applicable bank charges, transaction charges, or taxes shall be borne by the candidate.
(iv) The application fee shall be paid on or before the last date prescribed for submission of online applications. Applications submitted without successful payment of the fee, wherever applicable, shall be treated as incomplete and summarily rejected.
(v) The application fee, once paid, shall not be refunded or adjusted under any circumstances, including withdrawal of candidature, ineligibility, rejection of application, or cancellation of the recruitment process.
(vi) Candidates claiming fee exemption must ensure that they fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions and possess valid documentary evidence in support of their claim. Such evidence shall be produced as and when required by the NIF.

Age Limit and Relaxations
(i) The crucial date for determining the age limit and eligibility in all respects shall be the closing date for receipt of applications. Documents in support of eligibility furnished after the closing date shall not be considered.
(ii) Relaxation in the upper age limit shall be admissible in accordance with the orders and instructions issued by the Government of India from time to time.
(iii) The date of birth as recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary School Leaving Certificate or an equivalent certificate only be accepted.

Process of Selection
(i) All applications received shall be scrutinised by a Screening-cum-Shortlisting Committee constituted for the purpose. In the event of a large number of applications, NIF reserves the right to restrict the number of candidates to be called for the written test and/or interview by adopting appropriate shortlisting criteria, based on the specific requirements of the post.
(ii) If considered necessary, the screening process may include a written test to be conducted by NIF, either directly or through a Central Government agency or any other organisation having the requisite expertise and experience in conducting such examinations.
(iii) Final selection shall be made on the recommendations of the Selection Committee constituted by the Chairperson, Governing Board, NIF, in accordance with the NIF Recruitment Rules, 2026, based on the candidates' performance in the interview, academic record, research contributions, and relevant experience.
(iv) A reserve panel of candidates, in order of merit, shall be prepared from among the candidates interviewed and shall remain valid for a period of one year from the date of approval of the panel. The reserve panel may be utilised to fill the advertised vacancies as well as vacancies arising subsequently due to resignation, retirement, or any other contingency, subject to the provisions of the NIF Recruitment Rules, 2026.
(v) No correspondence shall be entertained from candidates who are not called for the written test and/or interview or who are not selected for appointment.
(vi) Canvassing in any form shall be treated as a disqualification and will result in rejection of the candidature.

General Instructions
(i) The relevant/ equivalent disciplines for each post are specified in Annexure-I.
(ii) The prescribed experience shall be counted after acquiring the minimum essential educational qualification, unless otherwise specified.
(iii) The candidate must possess the prescribed educational qualification from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or from an educational institution established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be a Deemed University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the competent authority, as on the closing date for receipt of applications.
(iv) Candidates possessing qualifications from foreign Universities/Institutions must produce an equivalence certificate issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, or by the concerned statutory/professional council recognised by the Government of India, as applicable.
(v) The prescribed essential qualifications are the minimum requirements. Mere possession of these qualifications shall not entitle a candidate to be called for the written test and/or interview.
(vi) Any experience gained during full time degree will not be counted as professional experience.
(vii) Applicants are advised to ensure before applying that they possess essential qualifications & experience for the post.
(viii) No TA/DA and accommodation shall be provided for attending Test/ Interview.
(ix) Applicants applying for the post(s) reserved for OBC, should submit an self-attested copy of valid caste certificate specifically mentioning creamy layer-exclusion in the format prescribed by Govt. of India, issued by competent authority, vide column 3 of GOI Dept. of Personnel and Training O.M. No. 36012/22/93-Estt.(SCT) dated 8.9.1993 and modified vide DoPT's O.M. No. 36033/3/2004- Estt.(Res) dated 9.3.2004, subsequently revised vide O.M. No.36033/3/2004-Estt.(Res) dated 14.10.2008. The caste certificate must be in the format as prescribed by the Govt. of India vide OM No. 36036/2/2013- Estt (Res.) dated 30/05/2014. Applicants seeking reservation under OBC category are required to submit respective certificate as per the format prescribed by the Government of India, Department of Personnel & Training (Annexure-II), that must not be older than one year. (x) Candidates are advised to visit the NIF website (nif.org.in) regularly. Any addendum, corrigendum, or update relating to this recruitment shall be published only on the NIF website.

(xi) The decision of the Screening-cum-Shortlisting Committee regarding the equivalence of qualifications to the prescribed essential and desirable qualifications shall be final.
(xii) Candidates serving in Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Autonomous Bodies, Statutory Bodies, Universities, or Government-funded Research Institutions shall apply through the proper channel or upload a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the competent authority. In the absence of an NOC, the candidate shall upload an undertaking to produce the NOC at the time of the interview, failing which the candidature shall be cancelled.
(xiii) The number of vacancies notified is provisional and may vary depending upon the requirements of NIF.
(xiv) No person shall be eligible for appointment who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living, or who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, except where such marriage is permissible under the applicable personal law or where exemption has been granted by the competent authority in accordance with the applicable rules.
(xv) Candidates are advised to submit their online applications well before the closing date to avoid the possibility of technical issues or inability to submit the application due to heavy traffic on the portal during the closing days.
(xvi) The decision of the Competent Authority, NIF, on all matters relating to eligibility, acceptance or rejection of applications, the selection process, and appointment shall be final and binding. Any dispute arising out of this recruitment shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts at Gandhinagar/ Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
(xvii) In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the English and Hindi versions of this advertisement, the English version shall prevail.

HOW TO APPLY
(i) Eligible candidates are required to submit their applications online only through the NIF Recruitment Portal //jobs.nifindia.org/candidate/login, using a valid e-mail ID and mobile number. Applications submitted through any other mode shall not be accepted. Submission of hard copies of the application is not required.
(ii) Candidates shall apply for only one post for which they fulfil the prescribed eligibility criteria. In case a candidate submits applications for more than one post, only one application shall be considered. Where the applications are for posts carrying different Pay Levels, the application for the post carrying the lowest Pay Level shall be considered. Where the applications are for two or more posts carrying the same Pay Level, the application for the post for which the candidate possesses the most relevant and suitable qualifications, as determined by the Screening-cum-Shortlist Committee, shall be considered. No claim or request for consideration of more than one application or for consideration of a particular post shall be entertained in such cases.
(iii) The online application portal shall remain open for 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar.
(iv) Candidates shall upload self-attested copies of documents in support of their date of birth, educational qualifications, experience, category [SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/EWS], PwBD status (where applicable), list of publications, and Ph.D. registration and award certificates, wherever applicable. Original documents shall be produced for verification as and when required.
(v) Experience certificates shall clearly indicate the designation(s), period of service (date of joining and date of relieving), nature of duties, and pay level/pay scale, wherever applicable. In cases where a candidate has served in different posts/levels in the same organisation, the certificate shall clearly specify the period of service in each post/level.
(vi) Uploading of incomplete, illegible, or incorrect documents may result in rejection of the candidature. Furnishing any false, fabricated, or misleading information or suppressing any material information shall render the candidature liable to cancellation at any stage of the recruitment process and, if appointed, to termination of service without prejudice to any other action permissible under law.

Opening date for submission of online applications : 29.08.2026
Closing date for receipt of online applications : 30 days from the date of publication of the advertisement in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar, till 23:59 hrs