Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Senior Project Associate, II, I, Technical Assistant, Field/ Laboratory 2026

This recruitment is tailored for postgraduates and engineering graduates who want to work on atmospheric science, meteorology, climate modeling, and monsoon research. Candidates targeting the Senior Project Associate roles require a Master's degree in natural or environmental sciences, computer science, or meteorology, accompanied by four years of relevant research or technical experience. Project Associate II roles demand two years of hands-on experience in atmospheric or lightning studies along with a technical degree.

Entry-level researchers with a Master's degree in relevant sciences can apply for Project Associate I positions, which do not mandate prior experience. Technical Assistant, Project Assistant, and Field or Laboratory Assistant roles are suitable for candidates seeking laboratory and field monitoring responsibilities. Check your exact eligibility using the age calculator before proceeding with registration.

• Senior Project Associate: Rs. 42,000 per month plus applicable HRA.
• Project Associate II: Rs. 35,000 plus HRA (for NET/GATE qualified) or Rs. 28,000 plus HRA.
• Project Associate I: Rs. 31,000 plus HRA (for NET/GATE qualified) or Rs. 25,000 plus HRA.
• Technical, Project, and Field/Laboratory Assistant: Rs. 20,000 per month plus applicable HRA.

These positions are temporary research project appointments governed by Ministry of Earth Sciences and Department of Science and Technology norms. Because these posts carry consolidated project emoluments rather than standard pay matrix scales, regular deductions such as National Pension System (NPS) and General Provident Fund (GPF) do not apply. Candidates receive the consolidated stipend in full along with House Rent Allowance as per central government norms, subject only to income tax regulations. While these are contract positions tied to project tenure, working at IITM provides invaluable exposure to supercomputing, climate modeling, and satellite data analysis, serving as an exceptional launchpad for doctoral fellowships, permanent scientist positions, or private meteorological consulting. Evaluate your net earnings using our salary calculator.

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Following the walk-in interaction, IITM Pune publishes the list of recommended candidates on its official portal. Selected individuals undergo document verification to authenticate original degrees, mark sheets, identity proofs, and experience credentials. A standard medical fitness certificate issued by an authorized medical officer must be submitted prior to joining.

After completing administrative formalities, selected candidates receive offer letters specifying their project tenure, which is typically for one year, extendable based on project requirements and performance. The primary place of posting will be the IITM campus in Pune, Maharashtra, though field assistants may occasionally travel to observational stations across India. The end-to-end process from shortlisting to induction generally takes four to eight weeks.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, established in 1962 as the Institute of Tropical Meteorology under the India Meteorological Department, attained autonomous status in 1971. Today, it functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, as a premier national research institution dedicated to advancing basic and applied knowledge in tropical atmospheric sciences and climate change.

Located in Pashan, Pune, IITM houses cutting-edge infrastructure including the Pratyush supercomputer, atmospheric observational facilities, and advanced laboratories for cloud physics and atmospheric chemistry. The institute plays a central role in the National Monsoon Mission, providing crucial seasonal forecasts that support India's agricultural planning, disaster management, and scientific policy formulation.

Day-to-day responsibilities for Project Associates encompass data processing, numerical weather modeling, climate simulation analysis, and operating complex meteorological software. Senior Project Associates also guide junior team members, troubleshoot high-performance computing pipelines, and prepare peer-reviewed scientific reports and publications under the guidance of principal investigators.

Technical Assistants and Field/Laboratory Assistants manage physical research assets, calibrate monitoring sensors, collect ambient air samples, and log observational data from weather radars and lightning detection networks. These roles balance laboratory tasks and computational desk work in a collaborative, non-uniform research setting, without direct enforcement or public policing duties.