Applications for Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) are invited from highly motivated and dynamic candidates to pursue research in the following broad domains of Planetary Sciences, Space Exploration, Atmosphere, Space and Solar Physics.

• Studies of surfaces, atmospheres, and ionospheres of planets; theoretical modelling and observational studies of physical processes of Mars, Venus, Moon, asteroids; origin and evolution of the solar system objects through laboratory analysis of extra-terrestrial material (meteorites and sample returned missions); analysis of data from Indian missions, Chandrayaan-1, -2, -3, Mars Orbiter Mission; Development of scientific instruments for future planetary missions to Moon, Venus and Mars; and studies of planetary geology through the data obtained from space missions
• Earth's atmospheric processes; aerosols and their impact on atmosphere; atmospheric trace gases and modeling, clouds and atmospheric boundary layer; atmospheric wave dynamics; greenhouse gases; global warming; weather and climate change; ionospheric processes and plasma processes; space weather impact on Earth and planets; physics of the Sun-Earth interactions; solar oscillations; structure and evolution of sunspots; magnetohydrodynamic processes in the solar atmosphere, solar heating and eruptions; design and development of sophisticated instruments for solar observations; study of solar and heliospheric physics with the help of ongoing Aditya-L1 mission; space weather-related studies with upcoming Indian space missions like dual-aeronomy satellite mission (DISHA); solar investigations from future missions such as, National Large Solar Telescope (NLST).

Fellowships

For Junior Research Fellows (JRF): Rs. 37,000/- pm and for Senior Research Fellows (SRF): Rs. 42,000/- pm (as governed by Dept. of Space guidelines). On the completion of two years, the JRFs will be reviewed, and based on the recommendations of the competent authority, the JRF may be awarded the position of SRF with an enhanced fellowship as per the rules. The performance of the Research Fellows shall be reviewed yearly for the continuation of the fellowship.

Candidates from Physics, Engineering Physics, Space Physics, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science, Meteorology, Geology, Geophysics, Earth Science, and Remote Sensing are eligible to apply.
Candidates must hold Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Science or Engineering, with a minimum of a first-class & 60% or equivalent grade at both the Bachelor's and Master's levels.
They must have qualified in any national exams conducted by CSIR-UGC-NET JRF/AP [June 2024, December 2024, July 2024] in Physical Sciences / Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences, GATE [2024/2025] in Physics / Geology and Geophysics / Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, JEST 2025 in Physics.
A Candidate must be an Indian citizen and should have studied at recognised Universities/Institutes in India. The upper age limit is 28 years as on 01 July 2025.
More details on research topics and the online application portal can be accessed at https://www.prl.res.in/prl-eng/phd1.
It is the candidate's sole responsibility to ensure that the eligibility criteria as notified are fulfilled. The candidate should comply, in all respects, with the procedural requirements and time limits stipulated for submission of the online application. Any deviations from the above procedure would result in the cancellation of the candidature, and any representation on such matters will not be entertained. Those candidates who applied for JRF earlier this year and appeared for the interview are not eligible to apply.

Online Application Portal for JRF 2025

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Apply online from 08.09.2025 to 10.10.2025. Interviews for the candidates screened will be held offline between 17 and 21 November 2025.