Applications are invited for admission to Ph.D. programme in Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Economic, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (English, Philosophy and Linguistics), Mathematics and Physics for the semester commencing from August 2021.

Research Areas

Biological Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences offers research in the areas of Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Cancer Biology, Epigenetics, Chemical Biology, Virology, Behavioral Biology, Plant Cell and Developmental Biology, Metagenomics, Genomics, Computational Biology, Ecology, Evolution and Molecular Systematics.

Eligibility

Minimum Qualification

• M.Sc./M.Tech. or equivalent degree in the relevant discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or CGPA/CPI of 7.0 on a 10 point scale (overall percentage/CGPA/CPI; not just in the majoring subject). Students with M.Sc./M.Tech. or equivalent degree in a branch of Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics can also apply provided they have an aptitude for research in Biological Sciences

  If the transcript/grade sheet issued by the Institute/University reports:

  • Only marks: percentage will be considered
  • Only grades: CGPA/CPI will be considered. If CGPA/CPI is reported on any scale other than 10 (eg. 4 point/ 8 point scale), an equivalent CGPA/CPI will be calculated as per the following formula: CGPA/CPI in a 10 point scale = (CGPA/CPI Obtained×10)/PS PS = Point scale used by the Institute/University. .
  • Both marks and CGPA/CPI: Percentage equivalent of CGPA/CPI, as indicated on the transcript/gradesheet, will be considered. The conversion factor must be available in the transcript/grade sheet.
• Exceptionally brilliant candidates with B.Tech./MBBS/MCA can also apply for the PhD program in Biological Sciences.
• Additionally, a National level examination such as GATE / CSIR-UGC-JRF / DBT-JRF (category I only) / ICMR-JRF (category A only) / CSIR-UGC-LS / Provisional letter of INSPIRE-JRF for PhD / Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship or any other recognized score is mandatory. The certificate/fellowship MUST be valid at the time of admission. Please note that the National level examination is exempt for those with B.Tech. from IITs or BS-MS from IISERs with CGPA/CPI more than 8.0 on a 10 point scale.

A relaxation of 5% of marks will be allowed for candidates belonging to SC/ST/PD categories.

Merely fulfilling the eligibility criterion does not entitle a candidate to be called for the interview.

Please Note:

• All communication with candidates will be by e-mail only. No phone calls will be entertained.
• Kindly check the website for periodic updates.
• In case of any application-related queries, your application number must be mentioned in the subject line.
• Candidates who are appearing or are about to appear for final examinations of the qualifying degree program are eligible to apply for PhD program. However, if selected, admission to the PhD program would be conditional upon their completing the qualifying degree with the defined marks criteria, at the time of joining.
• Selection will be based on interviews of the shortlisted candidates, which will be conducted in the Institute premises only.
• Relaxation of eligibility criteria for SC/ST and PD applicants will be as per Government of India norms. Candidates belonging to reserved category will have to submit relevant certificates, if selected.
• Applying and meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee that a candidate will be shortlisted for interview. The Department of Biological Sciences will use additional criteria (based on academic performance and/or performance in the national level tests) in order to shortlist candidates for interviews depending on the number of applications received.
• Candidates at the time of interview should bring with them at least one letter of recommendation in a sealed envelope. Alternately, the recommendation letter can be directly mailed by the referee(s) to: admission.biophd@iiserb.ac.in before the interview date.

Selection Procedure
The selection procedure for admission to the PhD programme will be based on the performance of the candidate in the interviews which will be conducted in two rounds (Rounds I and II). Candidates shortlisted from Round I, will have the option to interact with faculty members in the department following which Round II of the interviews will be conducted for the final selection. During the interviews, the candidate will be evaluated for their conceptual knowledge and the research aptitude in the field of Biological sciences.

TA will be paid to SC/ST/PD candidates appearing for the interview as per Govt. of India norms.

Important Dates

• April 05, 2021: Last date for receiving online application.
• July 29, 2021 (Thursday): Registration for the PhD Programme.
  Other relevant dates will be announced in due course of time

Contact Information

• Department of Biological Sciences

  Dr. Sourav Datta
  Head, Department of Biological Sciences
  Email: admission.biophd@iiserb.ac.in

  Dr. Vineet K. Sharma
  Convener, PhD Admissions Committee
  Convener, Departmental Post-Graduate Committee
  Email: admission.biophd@iiserb.ac.in

  Queries will be entertained on the above mentioned e-mail only. No phone calls will be entertained.