Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme (Biological Sciences)

Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme

The call for applications for the Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme is open for interested and eligible applicants with a background in biological sciences. This scheme is open throughout the year so make sure you check out all of the details on the eligibility, application procedure and such below:

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Dr. D.S Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship SchemeUNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION
DR. D. S. KOTHARI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP SCHEME
IN SCIENCES, MEDICAL & ENGINEERING SCIENCES 

Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship (DSKPDF) Scheme was introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the year 2007 on the recommendation of the Empowered Committee (EC) chaired by Professor M. M. Sharma. In addition to the existing RA/PDF positions provided by various funding agencies, a need was felt for PDF scheme running in a flexible mode, with fast track, on-line handling and decision making. It was envisaged that the new PDF scheme must be tuned to the ground realities prevailing in our university system. The DSKPDF Scheme was also expected to provide an opportunity for many fresh Ph. D.’s to overcome the deficiencies in training at the doctoral level research and to explore new areas of

research in better settings in the Indian University Sector.

DSKPDF Scheme is open for full-time research work, predominantly to young researchers preferably below 35 years of age who have awarded their Ph. D. Degree under science faculty. The Reservation Policy of Government of India with regard to SC/ST/OBC/PH is followed. Appropriate age relaxations for reserved category/women candidates are given as per UGC guidelines. It is necessary that candidates identify Mentor for their postdoctoral Research work and obtain his/her consent for the guidance. DSKPDF is tenable only at the Science Departments of Indian Universities and UGC-funded inter-University centres (such as IUCAA, IUAC, UGC-DAE-CSR etc.) which are eligible to receive Development grants from the UGC. Thus the fellowship is not tenable in I.I.T.’s or CSIR/DRDO/DAE laboratories etc. These are also not tenable in colleges (either Autonomous or affiliated). In general, the postdoctoral work should be undertaken in a place different from where the candidate has carried out his/her doctoral studies. The Ph. D. Guide of the candidate cannot be chosen as his/her mentor for DSKPDF.

Eligibility and Duration :

Aspirant below 35 years of age (Up to 3, 5 and 10 years of age relaxation for OBC, SC/ST/Women and physically handicapped respectively is admissible), who are awarded a Ph. D. degree under science faculty is eligible to apply. It is necessary that candidate identifies a Mentor (affiliated to University/Institute wherein DSK Fellowship is tenable) for his/her postdoctoral Research work and obtain his/her consent for the mentorship. Higher PDF (with marginally elevated stipend) is admissible for those applicants, identified as outstanding by standing (core) peer committee of reviewers.

Teachers below the age of 35, working on confirmed posts in Academic Institutes may also apply. However, along with the hard copy, they will be required to submit a certificate from their Head of the Institution (Registrar of University / Principal of a college) that the teacher will be given attest three years of sabbatical / special leave without financial support for carrying out their postdoctoral work.

The fellowship will be awarded on a yearly basis with renewal/termination clause on the basis of the PDF mentor/peer group appraisal. However, the maximum duration of the PDF award would be 3 years. No extension is possible under any circumstances. Candidates should give an undertaking while availing the award, along with the endorsement of the research mentor that they would stay in place for a minimum of six months. Once the candidate is awarded the DSKPDF, and he/she joins the fellowship, he/she will not eligible to apply ever again for DSKPDF in the same or other workplaces.

If the applicant has already applied for Dr D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship and has been declared as unsuccessful, he/she is permitted to apply freshly with new research proposal only after one year from date of declaration of the earlier result.

Stipend: [Effective from 1st December 2014]

The monthly stipend for these awards would be as follows

• Normal fellowship for the First, Second and third year is Rs. 43,400/-, Rs. 45,000/- and Rs. 46,500/- respectively
• Higher fellowship for the First, Second and third year: Rs. 46,500/-

The Fellow is provided with a contingency grant of Rs. 1,00,000 p.a.

Important points to be noted before applying for the Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme:

• These fellowships are open to candidates who have obtained PhD degree in appropriate subjects (Sciences including Engineering and Medicine) and meant for full-time research work.
• These fellowships are open to young researchers below the age of 35 years. A relaxation up to 5 years in age is applicable for women as well as candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories. As per the decision of the Empowered committee in the 49th meeting, age relaxation of 3 & 10 years respectively to OBC and Physically Handicapped candidates will be available. Age relaxation up to 10 years for foreign nationals is also in force.
• DSKPDF is tenable only at the Science Departments of Indian Universities and UGC-funded inter-University centres (such as IUCAA, IUAC, UGC-DAE-CSR etc.) which are eligible to receive Development grants from the UGC. Thus the fellowship is not tenable in I.I.T.’s or CSIR/DRDO/DAE laboratories etc. These are also not tenable in colleges (either Autonomous or affiliated).
• In general, the postdoctoral work should be undertaken in a place different from where the candidate has carried out his/her doctoral studies. The Ph. D. Guide of the candidate can not be chosen as his/her mentor for DSKPDF.
• As per the resolution of the UGC Empowered Committee meeting held on November 09, 2016, not more than three Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellows should be allowed to work with a Mentor at any given time.
• It is necessary to identify a Mentor with whom the candidate would like to work for his/her postdoctoral research. The mentor should have successfully guided 3 Ph. D. students at the time of application of the candidate. Mentor consent expressing the willingness to guide applicant postdoctoral work is needed to be produced at prior to the online application. Choosing Ph. D. guide as a postdoctoral mentor is not permitted under DSKPDF scheme.
• The faculty affiliated to an institution wherein DSK Fellowship is tenable and has successfully supervised at least three PhD students can act as a Mentor for the applicant applying for DSKPDF. The number of students who have submitted the PhD thesis, but have not been awarded the degree cannot be counted for this purpose.
• DSKPDF scheme also has an international flavour and open to students from other parts of the world, particularly to those from developing and neighbouring countries.
• Young teachers working on confirmed posts in Academic Institutes may also apply.

Application process (How to Apply)

The application process will be open all the year round in ‘…as and when…’ mode and not restricted by any specified deadlines. However, further details will be announced on DSKPDF website from time-to-time. Applications should be filled electronically using the forms that are available on the website. It is mandatory that the applicant has received a PhD degree in an appropriate subject (Sciences including Engineering and Medicine). It is also necessary to obtain the concurrence of the mentor (affiliated to institution wherein DSK Fellowship is tenable) to accept the applicant as a postdoctoral fellow. The proposed mentor must have at least three PhD students guided/supervised towards successful completion of the PhD work. The application will be processed further on satisfying these preliminary requirements. However, it is necessary that a signed printout of the application must be received by the National Coordinator of the Scheme, along with the documents supporting candidature, such as degrees of graduation/postgraduation certificates, Ph. D. degree etc. within 10 days from the date of online application. In case PhD viva is defended however degree certificate is awaited, duly signed certificate by the guide or the Registrar of University/Institute must be attached. Further, a signed letter (in the prescribed format) from the proposed mentor indicating his/her willingness to accept the candidate for postdoctoral work must be attached.

After scrutinizing the documents sent by the applicant, the National Coordinator of the scheme will constitute a standing (core) peer committee of reviewers as per the area of research mentioned by the applicant. The committee will access the applications on the web and grade them electronically. On the basis of the grades received (electronically) from the peer committee, the National Coordinator of the scheme will make the final recommendation to UGC. Since this is a promotional scheme to inculcate postdoctoral research culture, the emphasis during the review process/selection will be on an appropriate mix of the candidate’s accomplishment at the PhD level, the professional standing of mentor and the institution where the postdoctoral research is to be carried out. In general, candidates would be encouraged to move to other institutions and newer areas of research. According to the latest UGC guidelines, the PhD supervisor of a candidate cannot be selected as DSKPDF Mentor by him/her. Working in the same workplace where the candidate did doctoral studies is also not encouraged in general.

The peer group review process is expected to be completed typically within 8-12 weeks of the receipt of individual application. The result of the application will be displayed by UGC on the UGC website followed by DSKPDF website in about 16 weeks from the date of receipt of the hard copy of the application. The whole process would be akin to that employed for manuscript handling and evaluation by leading international journals and will be a paperless exercise. No interim queries will be entertained. These PDFs also have an international flavour and are open to students from other parts of the world, particularly to those from developing and neighbouring countries.

Annually, there will be about 300 such awards, as recently decided by the UGC.

Application steps

• The candidate should apply for Login ID and Password before uploading the actual application. Forgetting the Login ID, he/she should fill the basic form, wherein he/she has to enter some preliminary information about his/her and doctoral degree. It is necessary that the name given by the candidate should match the one on Master’s and PhD degree certificates. After filling the basic form, the candidate will receive a system generated e-mail for the email verification. The candidate may follow the instructions mentioned in that email in order to authenticate the information provided by him/her.
• After verification of the information at DSKPDF Cell, the candidate will receive a mail containing a Login ID and Password at the E-mail address provided by the candidate within 10 working days of your request
• The candidate has to fill the application form by using the provided Login ID and Password within 10 days. Login ID and Password will expire after 10 days. Thus candidate should strictly adhere to this deadline. Please fill in all the columns and attach the summary of your PhD work, a summary of the proposed research work and a Mentor’s CV. All uploaded files should be strictly in the specified format (Click here for the formats) limiting to 100 kb size individually. An unformatted document shall be liable to be rejected. The aspirant may choose to attach a PDF or doc file for this purpose.
• All the valid applications will receive a system-generated acknowledgement from Dr D. S. Kothari Fellowship Cell. This will be accompanied by a file containing your complete application. A unique Application No. (ID) will be assigned to each application. Please note this number for further reference.
• The candidates are requested to take a printout of the Application file provided at the end of Application Filling procedure. He/she has to affix his/her recent photograph and sign on the application at indicated places. Attach duly attested copy of the following documents

1. Summary of PhD Work, in the prescribed format. Same as uploaded online
2. Concept proposal of the postdoctoral research, in the prescribed format. Same as uploaded online
3. A brief Mentor CV, in the prescribed format. Same as uploaded online
4. Copy of your Graduation and Post graduation certificate
5. Copy of your S.S.C.(10th Class Certificate)/Age Proof Certificate
6. PhD Degree Certificate Or Certificate by the PhD guide/Registrar of University/Institute
7. Original Certificate of Mentor on proper letterhead specifying that he/she is willing to guide you for your Postdoc Research work, in prescribed format
8. NET/SET Certificate if applicable
9. Reserved Category/Physically Handicapped Certificate if applicable

If employed as a teacher (on a confirmed position), please submit a certificate from your Head of the Institution (Registrar of University / Principal of a college) that you will be given three years of sabbatical/special leave for carrying out postdoctoral work. The candidate has to arrange to send the signed hard copy with the application form along with aforementioned documents to the following address

The National Coordinator,
Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Cell
C/o Interdisciplinary School of Scientific Computing
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Ganeshkhind Post Office, Pune 411 007.
India

• Please mention the application ID on the envelope. The result about the award of Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship will be displayed by UGC on the UGC website followed by DSKPDF website typically within 16 weeks from the date of receipt of the hard copy of your application. No interim correspondence will be entertained within this period.
• If the candidate has already applied for Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship and has been declared as unsuccessful, he/she is permitted to apply again with new research proposal only after one year from date of declaration of result
• Incomplete applications such as un-formatted documents, false/misleading information etc. shall be rejected.

Easy Steps for Applying DSKPDF

• Fill basic information and request for login ID and password
• Email verification
• Get login ID and password provided by DSKPDF cell after scrutiny of your basic information ( typically within 7 working days )
• Proceed with filling online application by provided login ID and password
  
• Take a printout of your application
• Submit application to DSKPDF cell along with documents supporting your candidature

Important Links:

Application procedure

Request for Login & Password for filling the Online Application

Uploading the Online Application

Apply Online

Enquiries under application :

The National Coordinator,
Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Cell,
C/o Interdisciplinary School of Scientific Computing
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Ganeshkhind Post Office
Pune 411 007.
India

Phone No: (020) 25601406

Email ID: [email protected]

Enquiries under RTI:

Enquires under Right to Information (RTI) act may be directed to UGC, New Delhi and not to the DSKPDF Cell, Pune

View Notification

Editor’s Note: DSKPDF notification, DSKPDF announcement, Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme notification, Dr DS Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, Dr D S Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme. Check out the Biotecnika Times Newsletter and also make sure you check out the Podcast we have for free listen on SoundCloud.