CDRI Project Staff Recruitment 2026 - Pharma, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Life sciences candidates apply

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.

Walk-in-interview for engagement of Project Staff under different Projects are to be held in CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow.

Post Code : 001
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Chemistry
Desirable qualifications : ≥55% marks in M. Sc. (Organic chemistry/Chemistry with Organic major) or equivalent
Stipend : Rs. 25000+20% HRA p.m
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : CSIR-CDRI ULIP (MLP002605) “Discovery and Development of Therapeutics for nationally important diseases with global impact.” Under Work Package 4.4 “Elucidating the anti-filarial efficacy of pyrazolyl-chalcones against human filarial nematode Brugia malayi : A hit to lead optimization study.”
Tenure upto: 31.03.2027

Post Code : 002
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in Chemical Sciences / Pharmaceutical Sciences and qualified CSIR- UGC/ICAR / ICMR 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 of the Title : CSIR (MP2407) “Hit to Lead Optimization of Hematologically Safe PARP Inhibitor Candidate.” Tenure upto : 4 months

Post Code : 003
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Master Degree in Chemistry/ Chemical Sciences/Organic Chemistry/ Applied Chemistry/ Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Desirable qualifications : Research experience in Natural Products Chemistry
Stipend : Rs. 25000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : 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 : 004
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Masters in Chemical Sciences
Desirable qualifications : One year experience in organic synthesis/ medicinal chemistry lab work
Stipend : (i) 31,000/- + HRA to Scholars who are selected through (a) National Eligibility Tests - CSIR-UGC NET (ii) 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) 25,000/- + HRA for others who do not fall under (i) above.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : BMGF (GAP0446) “Target Enabling Packages for Non- Hormonal Contraception.” Tenure upto: 14.10.2026

Post Code : 005
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M. Sc. Chemistry OR M.Pharm in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Desirable qualifications : ≥55% marks in M. Sc. (Organic chemistry / Chemistry with Organic major) or equivalent CGPA
Stipend : (i) 37,000/-+20% 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) 30,000/- + 20% HRA for others who do not fall under (i) above
Upper Age limit : 50 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : ANRF (GAP0520) “Total synthesis of anti- tubercular natural product Dumulmycin.” Tenure upto: 14.05.2029

Post Code : 006
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M. Pharm (GPAT Qualified) OR M.Sc. in Biochemistry/ Zoology with NET/GATE qualification
Desirable qualifications : Expertise in Cell culture, Animal handling Diabetes and obesity models- Mice, rat hamster, Histopathological studies, cell and molecular biology experience
Stipend : Rs. 370000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit :50 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : ANRF (GAP0475) “Novel p3-adrenergic agonists as senolytics and insulin sensitizers: Studies in adipose tissue of metabolic dyshomeostasis model systems.” Tenure upto: 12.06.2027

Post Code : 007
Junior Research Assistant (01 Position)
M.Pharm High academic attainment with 1st Class graduate and post graduate examination.
Note: Candidate must be resident of Uttar Pradesh
Desirable qualifications : M.Pharm Pharmacology or biotechnology preferably GPAT Qualified
Stipend : Rs. 25000 pm. for first 2 years and Rs. 28000 p.m. for 3rd Year
Upper Age limit :28 Years as on 1st April 2026 (No age relaxation)
CST, UP (GAP0477) “Physiologically mimicking brown adipose tissue 3D bio printing.” Tenure upto: 20.11.2027

Post Code : 008
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Pharm or equivalent in Pharmaceutics/ Pharmaceutical Chemistry with NET/GATE/GPAT or equivalent OR
M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Chemistry with NET/GATE/GPAT or equivalent
Hands-on experience in HPLC, Bio-analysis /clinical Pharmacokinetics
Stipend : Rs. 31000+ 20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : CSIR (HCP0047) “Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase.” Tenure upto: 31.03.2027

Post Code : 009
Scientific Administrative Assistant (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Graduate Degree in Pharma B.Pharma
Rs. 18000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 50 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : 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 : 010
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M.Sc. in life Sciences
Desirable qualifications : Minimum one year experience in cell culture, cloning and animal dosing
Stipend : (i) 37,000/-+20% 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) 30,000/- + 20% HRA for others who do not fall under (i) above
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
ANRF (GAP0521) “Al-enabled de-novo design of GPCR inhibitors.” Tenure upto: 27.05.2029

Post Code : 011
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Master degree in Life Sciences
Desirable qualifications : Experience in immunology/human sample research, project requires collecting samples from KGMU, Lucknow.
Stipend : Rs. 25000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : CSIR (MMP075203) “Comprehensive analysis of niche-specific microbial dysbiosis in human diseases (MICROBIOME MISSION).” Tenure upto : 31.03.2028

Post Code : 012
Project Associate (PAT-I) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : M. Sc In Microbiology/Life sciences
Desirable qualifications : Two years’ experience in virus culture, Experience in molecular biology techniques Experience in viral protein expression in bacterial cells
Stipend : Rs. 25000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
CSIR-CDRI ULIP (MLP002605) “Discovery and Development of Therapeutics for nationally important diseases with global impact.” Under Work Package 3.5 “To Evaluate the Efficacy of the Optimized Hit S-024- 0635 Molecule Against JEV in the In Vivo Mouse Model” Tenure upto: 31.03.2027

Post Code : 013
Project Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Masters in any branch of Life Sciences/ Biotechnology and National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or their Agencies/Institutions. qualified CSIR- UGC/ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship/assistant professorship or GATE OR those who have qualified
Desirable qualifications : One year research experience
Stipend : Rs. 31000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : 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 : 014
Senior Project Associate (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : PhD in Life Sciences OR M.Sc in Life Sciences or equivalent degree with 4 years' experience in R&D in industrial and academic institutions or S&T organizations and scientific activities and services
Desirable qualifications : Experience in Yeast genetics, Ubiquitin biology, Proteomics and Molecular biology High impact publication in the above areas. Rs. 57000+20%HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 50 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : ANRF (GAP0512) “Understanding the role of RNA Polymerase Lt-CTD phosphorylation in the regulation of Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase during gene expression” Tenure upto: 20.03.2029

Post Code : 015
Research Associate-I (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : Ph.D. in Life Sciences
Desirable qualifications : Research experience in animal handling, primary cell isolation, cell-based assays, and molecular biology techniques, evidenced by peer- reviewed publication(s)
Stipend : Rs. 58000+20%HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 40 Years
ANRF (GDA250504) “Metabolic Regulation of NETosis and Macrophage Polarization in Pulmonary Fibrosis.”
Tenure upto:01.03.2029

Post Code : 016
Project Assistant (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : B.Sc. in Life Sciences
Desirable qualifications : Lab Experience in cell and animal handling
Stipend : Rs. 20000+16% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 50 Years
Title & Tenure of the Title : DST (GAP0395) “Apelin-ACE2 axis fate in hypertension and macrophage syndrome as complications in COVID- 19: focus on gender, age and comorbidities.” Tenure upto: 15.02.2027

Post Code : 017
Project Assistant-II (PA-H) (01 Position)
Essential qualifications : B.Sc. in Life Sciences
Desirable qualifications : Working experience in the field of molecular biology preferably post graduate in Science
Stipend : Rs. 20000+20% HRA p.m.
Upper Age limit : 35 Years
CSIR (HCP002502) “CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative - Phase III.” Tenure upto: 31.03.2030

Timing:- Eligible Candidates are required to report for the Walk-In-Interview for position code 001 to 009 (Chemical Sciences & Pharma area) on 15.07.2026 and for Position Code 010 to 017 (Life Sciences are) on 16.07.2026 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. Suitable 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.

Walk-In- Interview for position code 001 to 009 (Chemical & Pharma area) will be held on 15.07.2026 and for the position code 010 to 017 (Life Sciences area) will be held on 16.07.2026 from 09:00 am onwards at CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow.