Research Opportunities at CDRI: 13 Posts for Pharmacy, Chemistry and Life sciences

CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow is a premier institute functioning under the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an autonomous body functioning under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Online Mode and Walk-in-Interview

Part-I Mode of engagement : Online Mode Interview
(Last Date of filling up online Application Form is 12.01.2026) Online Application Link will be activated on 05.01.2026 from 05:00 PM)
Post Code : 001
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Positions)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Chemistry or M.Pharma in Medicinal Chemistry" with CSIR-UGC/ICMR/ICAR, NET incl. lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE OR those who have qualified National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions.
Experience in Organic Synthesis
Stipend : Rs. 31000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : CSIR (MMP075202) “A Comprehensive Approach to Address Antimicrobial Resistance.” Tenure upto: 31.03.2027

Post Code : 002
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : MSc in Chemistry or M.Pharma in Medicinal Chemistry" with CSIR-UGC/ICMR/ICAR, NET incl. lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE OR those who have qualified National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions.
Experience in Organic Synthesis
Stipend : Rs. 37000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 50 Years
Title & Tenure : ANRF (GAP0460) “Stereoselective Synthesis of Diverse Sp3-rich Polycyclic Scaffolds: Generation of High valued New Molecular Entities (NMES) for GPCR Modulators.” Tenure upto: 22.02.2027

Part-II : Mode of engagement: - Walk-In-Interview
Please note that Walk-In-Interview for Position Code 001 to Oil (Chemical Sciences & Life Sciences area) will be held on 13.01.2026
Post Code : 001
Project Technical Support-Ill (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Master’s/Integrated Master’s in Chemical Sciences / Chemistry
Desirable qualifications : Experience in Computational Chemistry, Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Protein, FEP simulations and DFT calculations
Stipend : Rs. 28000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : ICMR (GAP0505) “Determination of structure- activity relationships of a novel class of TRPA1 channel antagonists for pain relief - The PHL-B Family.” Tenure upto: 14.12.2028

Post Code : 002
Project Research Scientist-I (Non-Medical) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Chemistry / Medicinal Chemistry
Desirable qualifications : Two years of Experience in Organic synthesis/ Medicinal Chemistry
Stipend : Rs. 56000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : ICMR (GAP0505) “Determination of structure- activity relationships of a novel class of TRPA1 channel antagonists for pain relief - The PHL-B Family.” Tenure upto: 14.12.2028

Post Code : 003
Senior-PAT (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. (Chemistry) from a recognized university or equivalent with 3 years of research experience in R&D in industrial or academic institutes.
OR
Doctoral Degree in Chemistry.
Desirable qualifications : One year of Experience in Organic synthesis/ Medicinal Chemistry
Stipend : Rs. 42000+18% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 40 Years
Title & Tenure : CSIR (MMP075201) “Pre-IND enabling studies on Adhatoda vasica extracts for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis through hypoxia response modulation.” Tenure upto: 31.03.202

Post Code : 004
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Chemistry or chemical sciences or Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences with CSIR-UGC/ICMR/ICAR, NET incl. lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE OR those who have qualified National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions.
Desirable qualifications : Experience in Organic Synthesis
Stipend : Rs. 31000+18% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : CSIR (HCP0040) “PAN CSIR CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM Making Cancer Care Affordable Empowering Women’s’ Health: Focusing on Breast and Gynecological Cancers of Indian Relevance.” Tenure upto: 31.03.2026

Post Code : 005
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Positions)
Essential qualifications : Master’s/Integrated Master’s in Chemical Sciences/Chemistry/ Pharmaceutical Chemistry with CSIR-UGC/ICMR/ICAR,
NET incl. lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE OR those who have qualified National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions.
Desirable qualifications : Experience in Organic Synthesis
Stipend : Rs. 31000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : CSIR (MMP075202) “A Comprehensive Approach to Address Antimicrobial Resistance.” Tenure upto: 31.03.2027

Post Code : 006
Project Associate (PAT-D) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Masters in any stream of life science and two years’ experience in research and development.
Desirable qualifications : Qualification with any national examination such as CSIR, ICMR, UGC, ICAR, LS, GATE Having experience in Bioinformatic analysis.
Stipend : Rs. 35000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : CSIR (MMP075203) “Comprehensive analysis of niche-specific microbial dysbiosis in human diseases (MICROBIOME MISSION)” Tenure upto: 31.03.2028

Post Code : 007
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Life Sciences with CSIR-UGC/ICMR/ICAR, NET incl. lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE OR those who have qualified National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions.
Desirable qualifications : Experience in molecular biology techniques
Stipend : Rs. 31000+18% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : CSIR (HCP0040) “PAN CSIR CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM Making Cancer Care Affordable Empowering Women’s’ Health: Focusing on Breast and Gynecological Cancers of Indian Relevance.” Tenure upto: 31.03.2026

Post Code : 008
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Life Sciences with CSIR-UGC/ICMR/ICAR, NET incl. lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE OR those who have qualified National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or
their Agencies/Institutions.
Desirable qualifications : Experience in Cell culture & Molecular biology techniques
Stipend : Rs. 31000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), (GAP0500) “Towards discovery and development of novel drugs and pharmaceuticals (Deep Ocean Mission).” Tenure upto: 26.01.2027

Post Code : 009
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Life Sciences
Desirable qualifications : Experience in molecular biology techniques
Stipend : (i) Rs. 31,000+ HRA to Scholars who are selected through (a) National Eligibility Tests CSIR-UGC Net including lectureship (Assistant Professorship) or GATE or (b) A selection process through National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments and their Agencies and Institutions.
(ii) Rs. 25,000+HRA for others who do not fall under (i)
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : BMGF (GAP0446) “Target Enabling Packages for Non-hormonal Contraception” Tenure upto : 14.10.2026

Post Code : 010
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : MSc. in life Sciences and qualified CSIR- UGC/ICAR/ICMR NET incl. Lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE or qualified equivalent National level examinations
Desirable qualifications : • Experience in the mammalian tissue culture work
• Experience in cloning, expres sion, and purification of heterologous protein expression in prokaryotes and eukaryote hosts
Stipend : Rs. 31000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), (GAP0500) “Towards discovery and development of novel drugs and pharmaceuticals (Deep Ocean Mission).” Tenure upto: 26.01.2027

Post Code : 011
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Masters in area of biological sciences
Desirable qualifications : 6 months internship within or after MSc on cell culture, molecular biology, and protein purification
Stipend : (i) Rs. 31,000+HRA to Scholars who are selected through (a) National Eligibility
Tests CSIR-UGC Net including lectureship (Assistant Professorship) or GATE or (b) A selection process through National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments and their Agencies and Institutions.
(ii) Rs. 25,000+ HRA for others who do not fall under (i)
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure : BMGF (GAP0446) “Target Enabling Packages for Non-hormonal Contraception” Tenure upto: 14.10.2026

Instructions to Candidates Applying for Part-I (Online Mode) :-
1) All applicants must fulfil the essential qualification for the position and other conditions stipulated in the advertisement as on the last date of submission of application. They are advised to satisfy themselves before applying that they possess at least the essential qualifications laid down for position/positions as on the last date of submission of application.
2) The prescribed essential qualifications are the minimum and the mere possession of the same does not entitle candidates to be called for interview. The duly constituted Screening Committee will adopt its own criteria for short-listing the candidates. The candidate should therefore, mention in the application all the qualifications and experiences in the relevant area over and above the minimum prescribed qualification, supported with.
3) List of shortlisted candidates meeting the criteria (Essential qualification plus criteria set by the committee) shall be notified on the CDRI Website.
4) Date and mode of interview shall be communicated to the shortlisted candidates through e-mail.
5) The position/s are purely temporary. The engagements shall be initially for a period of ONE YEAR or till the project duration or to the extent funds available, whichever is earlier. The engagements shall be extendable on yearly basis subject to performance review and project duration/ funds availability.
6) The engagement of a project staff in different projects either in the CSIR- Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow or different Lab or Institute of CSIR taken together shall not exceed 6 years in any case.
7) The engagement in these projects will not confer any right implicit or explicit on the candidate for consideration for regularization against any CSIR/CDRI post(s).
8) The number of positions to be recruited may vary at the time of selection depending on the requirement under the project.
9) No TA/DA or allowances will be paid to the candidates for attending the interview.
10) Suitable Candidates may be empanelled for future requirement if any, under same project or different projects of similar nature and requiring candidates with similar essential and desirable qualifications.

11) Age will be reckoned as on the last date of submission of application for this advertisement. The relaxation in the age limit for the candidates belonging to the category of SC/ST/PwBD/Women and the Category of OBC shall be 05 years and 03 years respectively or as per Govt, of India instructions issued in this regard from time to time. Candidates seeking age relaxation should enclose relevant certificates in prescribed format issued by the appropriate authority as per the latest instructions issued on the subject.
12) Applications submitted after the scheduled date and time shall not be considered for the interview and summarily rejected.
13) The shortlisted candidates shall attend the interview (online / offline mode), as communicated to the candidate.
14) In case a large number of candidates apply, the Screening Committee may include the additional screening criteria beyond essential and desirable qualifications and shortlist the candidates for interview in proportion to the available vacancies.
15) In case the final certificates reflect CGPA/SGPA/OGPA Grades, the candidate should convert the same into an equivalent percentage as per the approved formula of the University in the online application form, and a copy of such conversion must be attached along with the online application form
16) To avoid any inconvenience, only those candidates who strictly fulfil the eligibility criteria and possess the degree's/ mark sheets in the subjects above should apply for the interview.
17) Upon selection, the original documents, including eligibility qualification, DOB, caste, and age relaxation certificate, will be verified. If any discrepancy is found, the selection shall stand cancelled automatically.
18) Advertisement/Post may be cancelled at any stage due to force majeure, including closure of project, non-availability of fund, compromised integrity, unethical practices, etc.
19) The decision of the CSIR-CDRI in all matters relating to eligibility, acceptance or rejection of applications, mode of selection, and conduct of examination/interview will be final and binding on the candidates.

Instructions to candidates for Part-II (Walk-In-Interview)
Timing:- Eligible Candidates are required to report for the Walk-In-Interview for position code 001 to 011 on 13.01.2026 from 09:00 am onwards. Candidates reporting after 10:00 A.M will not be entertained. The eligible candidates may appear before the Selection Committee for interview on the date and time mentioned above at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow-226031. Eligible candidates must bring with them a duly filled application & undertaking (which can be downloaded from our website cdri.res.in with original & self-attested copies of mark sheets/certificates etc. along with a recent passport size photograph. Tentative mark sheets/certificates and ‘result awaited’ will not be considered. Any experience certificate to project personnel shall be issued by the Administration of the concerned Laboratory/Institute. However, any other recommendation letter of reference letter shall be issued by the Principal Investigator/Project Leader in all cases Project Manager and such letter shall not commit on any administrative aspects. For project Manager, such recommendation or reference letter shall be issued by the Director/Head of the Laboratory/Institute.
No TA/DA will be paid to the candidates for attending the interview.

Note :- Candidates who fulfils the requisite qualification and age will be allowed to appear before the Selection Committee for interview. Written test in the subject area will be held, if required, to shortlist candidates for the interview on the same day depending upon the number of candidates. The interview may be continued for the subsequent days also, therefore candidates coming from outstations are requested to make their own arrangements accordingly.

General Conditions :
1. The relaxation in the age limit for the candidates belonging to the category of SC/ST/PwBD/Women and the Category of OBC shall be 05 years and 03 years respectively or as per Govt, of India instructions issued in this regard from time to time.
2. Candidates may be empanelled for future requirement if any, under different projects.
3. The date for determining age/qualification and experience shall be the date of interview.
4. Your Total Period of engagement under one project and/or different laboratories of CSIR, cumulatively taken together shall not exceed 6 years, unless otherwise provided for under these guidelines. However, you shall be allowed to continue beyond 6 years
only in case of contract/consultancy/sponsored projects funded by Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs), Industries, Start-ups and Individual entrepreneurs, that are of 12 months or less duration. In such an event, you’re the total period of engagement under one project and/or combination of different projects, either in the same laboratory and/or different laboratories of CSIR cumulatively taken together shall not exceed 7 years.
5. The above positions are purely temporary and co-terminus with the aforementioned projects. The engagement in these projects will not confer any right implicit or explicit on the candidate for consideration for higher degree or regularization permanent employment against any CSIR-CDRI post(s).
6. Project personnel engaged as per these guidelines shall be eligible to medical facilities at CSIR dispensaries of the institute, to the extent of consultation and/or available medicines at the dispensary and transport facilities, if any, as per the term and conditions with which it is provided by the Institute.
7. Project personnel engaged in the projects may be covered under Group Medical Insurance Scheme, subject to their willingness, for which the cost shall be borne by the individual concerned.
8. Women project personnel shall be eligible for maternity leave of 180 days and the male project personnel shall be eligible for paternity leave of 15 days only in case of two surviving children as per CSIR norms. Further, the Project Staff shall be paid the stipend for the period of aforesaid leave only after re-joining the office after availing such leave and submission of relevant medical reports/documents.
9. The project personnel are entitled to avail leaves as per extant rules of CSIR i.e., 12 days of leave (at the rate of one-day leave per month). Any leave availed beyond this shall be without emoluments calculated pro-rata.
10. The project personnel may be allowed to register for higher degree (i.e., Ph.D.) as per the policy of the Institute, if they fulfill all the requirements laid down for such purposes, provided that the project duration is at least 3 years or more, apart from any other conditions laid down by the concerned Institute/Laboratory. The permission to register for PhD is subject to the condition that the work of the project is not affected and it will be without any financial obligation to CSIR/Project. The tenure of the project personnel shall not be extended merely on the ground that he/she has not completed the Ph.D.
11. The number of positions against the various projects/Scheme can vary at the time of selection depending on the requirement of the institute.
12. Position Code will be cancelled if funds are not available in the advertised concerned projects.
13.The Director, CSIR-CDRI has discretion to increase or decrease the number of positions or cancel the recruitment process at any stage.
14. Interim queries will not be entertained.