IIT Delhi Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 2 Principal Project Scientist, Senior Project Scientist Posts

IIT Delhi is filling 2 contract posts, 1 Principal Project Scientist and 1 Senior Project Scientist, on a School of Public Policy research project. The project studies renewable energy governance, risk and finance. Only Indian nationals can apply. You apply by email, and applications must arrive by 5.00 p.m. on 11 November 2026. Pay is a consolidated fellowship of up to Rs. 1,01,610 a month plus HRA at 30%.

IIT Delhi Principal Project Scientist and Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026 Overview

The official notification does not specify the age limit or the application fee.

About IIT Delhi

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is in Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016. Its Industrial Research & Development Unit issued this advertisement. Both posts are in the School of Public Policy, under a project funded by Giving Green.

Project Details

The project looks at how developers of utility-scale solar and wind projects in India engage with local communities, handle socio-environmental tensions and mobilise global capital to scale up renewable energy. It uses surveys and interviews in different local settings. The study will add to ongoing research at IIT Delhi on community engagement and equity in siting renewable energy projects.

IIT Delhi Principal Project Scientist and Senior Project Scientist Vacancy Details 2026

The notice prints the pay as a slab: Rs. 75,600 to Rs. 1,01,610 for the Principal Project Scientist and Rs. 60,750 to Rs. 79,260 for the Senior Project Scientist. If the selected candidate is a retired or superannuated government employee, the salary will be fixed under the prevailing IRD norms.

IIT Delhi Principal Project Scientist and Senior Project Scientist Eligibility 2026

Only Indian nationals can apply.

Principal Project Scientist

Essential qualification: Ph.D. with first class or equivalent in economics, energy systems, innovation studies, public policy, political science, sociology, engineering, or a related discipline. OR: MTech with 1st class, MSc with 1st class, or an equivalent degree in economics, energy systems, innovation studies, public policy, political science, sociology, engineering, or a related discipline, with 6 years of experience in related areas, from a reputed university.

Required skillset:

• Strong aptitude for independent research. This includes formulating and refining research questions, developing suitable methods, managing research with limited supervision and taking a leading role in producing high-quality academic outputs.
• Experience of mixed-methods research, such as survey design, interviews, data analysis and conjoint analysis.

Desirable:

• Evidence of independent research through publications, working papers, research projects or similar outputs (highly desirable).
• Experience in the energy sector, project finance or energy technologies, and industry contacts.

Senior Project Scientist

Essential qualification: MTech/MS (or an equivalent technical degree) with 1st class, OR BTech/MSc/Post graduate with 1st class in a relevant discipline, with 3 years of experience in economics, energy systems, innovation studies, public policy, political science, sociology, engineering, or a related discipline, from a reputed university.

Required skillset: Experience of mixed-methods research, including survey design, interviews, data analysis and conjoint analysis.

Desirable:

• Strong quantitative and data-analysis skills.
• Experience in the energy sector, financial databases, project finance or energy technologies, and industry contacts.
• Interest in developing research skills and possibly doing a PhD or following a research career.

SC/ST candidates may be given a 5% relaxation of marks. If no candidate is found suitable, the Selection Committee may downgrade a post. Check the official notification for the full eligibility for each post.

Duties of the Selected Candidates

The notice lists the same work for both posts:

• Examine how environmental, social, permitting and community-related factors affect the development, financing and implementation of energy and infrastructure projects.
• Help design and run a survey of energy-sector developers to collect primary data on renewable energy firms’ cost of capital, financing conditions, environmental and social risks, and community opposition.
• Combine survey evidence with financial and project-level datasets to study links between cost of capital, project risk, environmental and social factors, and community acceptance.
• Do literature reviews across energy finance, innovation studies, project development, environmental risk and community acceptance, and contribute to academic papers, reports and presentations.
• Produce clear visualisations and present the findings to academic and policy audiences (Principal Project Scientist).

The notice says the Senior Project Scientist post offers the chance to contribute to academic publications and gain experience in interdisciplinary research on energy, finance, policy, technology and sustainability.

Important Dates

Selection Process

• IIT Delhi may set higher criteria to shortlist eligible candidates from those who meet the advertised qualifications and requirements.
• The names of shortlisted candidates and the interview details will be shown on the IIT Delhi IRD shortlisted candidates page.
• The interview will be held in person. Only shortlisted candidates will be informed.

Service Conditions

The appointment is on a contract basis with consolidated pay. It is renewable every year or lasts up to the duration of the project, whichever is earlier. The project runs until 31 December 2027.

How to Apply for IIT Delhi Principal Project Scientist and Senior Project Scientist Recruitment 2026

1. Download Form No. IRD/REC-4 from the IRD website.
2. Fill in the form completely. Include your educational qualifications with the percentage of marks or division, and details of your work experience.
3. Prepare your CV and a cover letter.
4. Combine the form, CV and cover letter into a SINGLE PDF named [Designation applied for]-[YourLastName], for example “Principal Project Scientist -Khanna.pdf”.
5. Quote the advertisement number (IITD/IRD/308/2026) and email the PDF to Prof. Kaveri Iychettira at [email protected] and Prof. Tarun Khanna at [email protected], both of the School of Public Policy. Send a copy (cc) to [email protected].
6. Send it before 5.00 p.m. on 11 November 2026.

Questions about eligibility can go to Prof. Kaveri Iychettira at [email protected].

Important Links