CSIR-NIO Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 — 1 Post, Apply by 23 Aug (Marine Biology)

CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has released its Project Associate-I Recruitment 2026 notification under Advertisement No. GAP3294/3289-26, inviting applications for 1 post on a contractual basis. Eligible candidates can apply online until 23 August 2026. Applicants need an M.Sc. in Marine Biology, Zoology, Marine Science with specialization in Biology, or Oceanography with specialization in Biology. The Project Associate-I role at CSIR-NIO is a contractual position under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science & Technology. Selected candidates will receive a consolidated monthly pay of Rs. 25,000, for the duration of the project. Interested candidates should apply online through the official CSIR-NIO website well before the 23 August 2026 deadline, since there is no application fee for any category. This CSIR-NIO Project Associate-I post is one of several concurrent Project Associate openings at the institute this month, each tied to a distinct research project and requiring a different specialization — Marine Biology and Zoology for this particular post, distinct from parallel openings in Chemistry, Geophysics, and Electronics at the same institute. Candidates should apply only to the post matching their specific specialization, since CSIR-NIO evaluates each vacancy against its own project-specific eligibility criteria. Candidates with a Marine Biology or Zoology background who have prior exposure to marine ecosystem research, biodiversity surveys, or laboratory techniques in aquatic biology may find their profile particularly well-suited to this CSIR-NIO opening, given the institute's core focus on oceanographic and marine science research along India's coastline. Since the official notification does not detail a specific selection process breakdown, candidates should download and review the full notification PDF carefully to understand whether shortlisting will be based on academic merit alone or will include a written test or interview stage, before finalizing their application. CSIR-NIO's Goa headquarters and its associated regional centres are known for their long-standing work in marine biodiversity, coastal ecology, and ocean science, making this Project Associate-I role a valuable entry point for early-career marine biologists and zoologists interested in applied oceanographic research. Interested candidates should upload their M.Sc. mark sheets, degree certificate, and any relevant research or fieldwork experience proof carefully during the online application, ensuring all documents are clear and legible scans in the prescribed format specified by CSIR-NIO. Applicants should apply well ahead of the 23 August 2026 deadline, given the relatively short application window from the notification date. This opportunity may also appeal to candidates based in or willing to relocate to Goa, given CSIR-NIO's coastal campus location and its close proximity to marine field sites along the Konkan coastline. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to the institute for any clarification on the project scope before applying.

• M.Sc. in Marine Biology, Zoology, Marine Science (specialization in Biology), or Oceanography (specialization in Biology)

• Not specified in this notification

• M.Sc. in Marine Biology, Zoology, Marine Science (Biology), or Oceanography (Biology)

No application fee for any category

• Rs. 25,000 per month, consolidated

1. Applications must be submitted online on or before 23 August 2026
2. Use the Apply Online link on the official CSIR-NIO website
3. Alternatively, visit the official CSIR-NIO website to complete the application
4. Fill out the application form carefully with correct personal, educational, and contact details
5. Upload required documents such as photograph, signature, and certificates in the prescribed format
6. Review all details carefully before submitting the form
7. Take a printout or save a copy of the submitted application for future reference