Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 01 Research Associate Posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Online through the official IIT Madras website. The last date to submit the application form is 16-02-2026. In this article, you’ll find the IIT Madras Research Associate Posts recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, salary structure, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and Online application form.
IIT Madras Research Associate Recruitment 2026 – Overview
Vacancy Details
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Master’s degree (M.A., M.Sc., or M.B.A.) in any of the following disciplines from a recognized university:
- Economics
- Public Policy
- International Trade
- Public Administration
- Management Studies
- Logistics
- Developmental Studies
- Supply Chain Management
- Ports and Shipping Logistics
- Transport Planning
- Transportation Engineering
- Infrastructure Management
- Operations
- Or any closely related discipline
Professional Experience
- Minimum Experience: 2 to 3 years of relevant professional experience
- Experience Areas:
- Policy research in logistics/Supply Chain
- Consulting in logistics or supply chain management
- Logistics operations
- Air cargo operations
- Infrastructure projects
- Government advisory work
- Think tanks or research institutions
- Logistics organizations
Technical & Domain Proficiency (Required)
- Economics & Research: Strong understanding of economics, socio-economic research, and applied policy analysis
- Logistics Ecosystem: In-depth understanding of India’s logistics, supply chain, or air cargo ecosystem across policy, regulatory, institutional, and operational dimensions
- Policy Analysis: Ability to analyze national and international policy frameworks related to:
- International trade and trade facilitation
- Air cargo and transshipment
- Customs procedures and border management
- Field Research: Experience analyzing trade, logistics, autonomous deliveries, transport, and infrastructure systems through both policy-level assessment and field-based research
- Cargo Workflow Analysis: Proven capability in mapping and analyzing cargo workflows across import, export, and transshipment processes at airports, ports, warehouses, and customs-controlled facilities
- Bottleneck Identification: Ability to identify policy, regulatory, infrastructural, and operational bottlenecks impacting cargo efficiency, cost, and turnaround time
- Benchmarking: Experience benchmarking Indian logistics or air cargo practices against global best practices and leading international hubs
- Research Methods: Proficiency in applied research methods including:
- Policy and literature reviews
- Document analysis
- Stakeholder interviews
- Field studies
- Process mapping
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Writing Skills: Strong writing skills with experience contributing to:
- Policy notes
- White papers
- Analytical reports
- Research publications for government, industry, and multilateral stakeholders
- Multimodal Analysis: Ability to extend logistics and cargo analysis across multimodal systems (air, ocean, road, rail networks)
Salary & Compensation
Research Associate
- Salary Range: Rs. 35,000/- to Rs. 1,00,000/- per month
- Determination: Exact salary will be commensurate with candidate’s educational qualification, experience, and performance in selection process
- Nature: Monthly remuneration for contract-based temporary position
- Contract Basis: No additional benefits as it is a pure contract position
Job Description & Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
The Research Associate will work on policy research, analysis, and field studies related to India’s logistics and supply chain ecosystems. Key responsibilities include:
- Policy Research & Analysis:
- Conduct applied policy research on India’s logistics, supply chain, and air cargo sectors
- Analyze policy frameworks related to international trade, trade facilitation, customs procedures, and border management
- Evaluate effectiveness and impact of existing policies and regulations
- Identify policy gaps and opportunities for reform
- Cargo Operations Analysis:
- Map and analyze cargo workflows across import, export, and transshipment processes
- Study operations at airports, ports, warehouses, and customs-controlled facilities
- Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in cargo movement
- Analyze cargo efficiency, cost structures, and turnaround times
- Logistics & Supply Chain Research:
- Conduct field studies and research on logistics operations and supply chain management
- Analyze autonomous deliveries and transport systems
- Assess multimodal logistics networks (air, ocean, road, rail)
- Benchmark Indian practices against global best practices and international hubs
- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Conduct interviews with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and logistics operators
- Gather insights from policy makers and infrastructure managers
- Coordinate with multiple stakeholders for research inputs
- Data Collection & Analysis:
- Collect data through field visits, surveys, and document reviews
- Perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis
- Use research methods including process mapping and statistical analysis
- Ensure data accuracy and methodological rigor
- Research Outputs & Documentation:
- Prepare policy notes and white papers
- Write analytical reports based on research findings
- Contribute to research publications for government, industry, and multilateral stakeholders
- Document research methodology and findings clearly
- Synthesize complex data into actionable recommendations
- Project Support:
- Support end-to-end research projects
- Assist in proposal development and research design
- Manage field-level data collection activities
- Provide timely and transparent project status updates
Important Dates
Application Process
How to Apply
- Visit Application Portal: Go to https://icsrstaff.iitm.ac.in/careers/current_openings.php
- Search Advertisement: Find Advertisement Number ICSR/PR/Advt.13/2026 for Research Associate position
- Register: Register with your email ID and create login credentials
- Fill Application Form: Complete the online application form with all required information:
- Personal details (Name, DOB, Contact information)
- Educational qualifications
- Professional experience and employment history
- Relevant skills and competencies
- Any additional information requested
- Submit Application: Click submit button to finalize application
- Print Confirmation: After successful submission, take printout of application form
- Keep Printout: You will need to submit the printout when called for test/interview
- Deadline: Submit before 16-02-2026 (application portal will close after this date)
Important Application Instructions
- Online Only: Applications must be submitted only through the online portal; hard copies should NOT be sent to the Institute
- Single Application: Only one application per email ID per advertisement; multiple applications for the same post will result in rejection
- No Editing: Application cannot be edited or reverted after submission, so verify all information before submitting
- Correct Email: Provide correct and active email address as all correspondence will be through email only
- Printout Required: After successful online submission, obtain printout of application form to be submitted during test/interview
- Deadline Strict: Applications received after 16-02-2026 will not be accepted
- Eligibility Check: Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying; admission to any stage is provisional subject to eligibility verification
- No Duplicate Applications: Do not attempt to apply twice; if multiple applications received for same post, candidature will be rejected
Selection Process
Selection Procedure
- Stage 1: Application Screening
- All applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility
- Candidates will be shortlisted based on qualifications, experience, and suitability for research requirements
- Institute reserves right to restrict candidates based on merit and relevance of experience
- Stage 2: Test/Interview
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for written test/skill test/interview (mode to be decided by Institute)
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted; no communication to non-shortlisted candidates
- Candidates must bring their application printout and testimonials (recommended)
- Stage 3: Final Selection
- Final selection will be based on overall performance in screening and interview/test
- Institute reserves right to not fill the position without assigning reason
- Only selected candidate will be contacted with offer
Selection Criteria
- Educational qualification and relevance to position
- Relevant professional experience in policy research, logistics, supply chain, or related fields
- Technical competency in research methods and data analysis
- Domain knowledge of logistics, supply chain, and air cargo ecosystems
- Writing and communication skills
- Research project experience and ability to deliver quality outputs
- Performance in test/interview
- Ability to work in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments
Important Selection Instructions
- Institute’s Discretion: Institute reserves right to decide the mode of screening (written test, interview, or combination)
- Shortlisting Criteria: Candidates with experience higher than minimum prescribed will be given preference
- Calling for test/interview conveys no assurance of selection
- Information provided in application must be true; any false information will lead to rejection
- Canvassing in any form will be disqualification
- No correspondence regarding conduct or results of test/interview will be entertained
Terms & Conditions
Employment Terms
- Nature: Purely contract-based temporary position
- Duration: Initially for 6 months, later extendable based on performance and organizational requirement
- No Permanency: Completion of contract period will NOT confer any right for further extension, regularization, or permanency at the Institute
- Basis: All positions are on purely contract basis
- Location: IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Reporting: Will report to Coordinator (Prof. Arshinder Kaur, Department of Management Studies)
General Conditions
- Citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of India. Persons who migrated from Pakistan with intention of permanent settlement or subjects of Nepal are also eligible but need certificate of eligibility from Government of India
- Minimum Qualifications: Minimum prescribed qualifications are required; higher qualifications do not entitle automatic interview call
- Experience Relaxation: Institute may relax experience requirement for exceptionally outstanding candidates from SC/ST categories if needed
- Antecedent Verification: Institute reserves right to verify antecedents and documents at any time, including after appointment
- False Documents: If false/fake documents detected at any stage, appointment will be terminated and legal action may be taken
- No Objection Certificate: If currently working at IIT Madras or another project, candidates must obtain NOC from proper channel; candidates without NOC will not be allowed to appear for interview
- Gender Balance: IIT Madras encourages women candidates to apply
- Crucial Date: Closing date of application (16-02-2026) is the crucial date for determining eligibility criteria for all candidates
