PhD in Life Sciences at IISER Pune | For Master’s in Life Sciences Candidates
The PhD in Life Sciences program at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune is now accepting applications for the January 2026 session. These biology phd jobs invite highly motivated students with a strong background in biological sciences, biotechnology, or related disciplines to join one of India’s most prestigious research environments.
About The Institute
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune is a premier autonomous institution dedicated to science education and research. Established by the Government of India, it aims to train the next generation of scientists through advanced education, mentorship, and impactful research. These biology phd jobs provide an exceptional platform for those aiming to pursue doctoral research in life sciences.
About the Program
The PhD in Life Sciences program at IISER Pune blends rigorous coursework with innovative research and undergraduate mentoring. The program aims to develop world-class scientists capable of addressing complex biological questions through experimental and theoretical approaches.
IISER Pune offers doctoral research opportunities in Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics. Students with a passion for scientific discovery and academic excellence are encouraged to apply for these biology phd jobs.
Eligibility Criteria
A1. Educational Qualification:
- Master’s degree (or B.E., B.Tech., M.Tech., MBBS) in any branch of Science, including Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Biodiversity, Psychology, or equivalent.
- Minimum of 60% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA) for General/OBC/EWS category and 55% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
- Students awaiting final results may also apply; selection will be provisional until eligibility criteria are met.
A2. Additional Qualifications (any one required)
- Qualified national eligibility exams with a valid 5-year PhD fellowship: CSIR–JRF, UGC–JRF, DBT–JRF, ICMR–JRF, BINC–JRF, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, Maulana Azad Fellowship, etc.
- Qualified JEST, GPAT, NBHM, or GATE (Life Sciences, Chemistry, Eco-Evo, Biotechnology, Mathematics) within the last two years.
- INSPIRE-PhD Fellowship (provisional selection letter required).
- BS-MS/Master’s students from Institutes of National Importance with a CGPA ≥ 8.0 on a 10-point scale are exempt from national-level tests.
- Qualified JGEEBILS, subject to IISER Pune’s shortlisting criteria.
Research Areas Open for Application
The IISER Pune PhD in Life Sciences admission covers diverse areas such as:
- Ecology and Evolution – both theoretical and empirical studies.
Faculty: Deepak Barua, Ramana Athreya, Sagar Pandit, Sutirth Dey. - Molecular Biology / Cell Biology / Biochemistry – includes cell biophysics, microbiology, immunology, epigenetics, chromosome biology, and cancer biology.
Faculty: Anjan Banerjee, Chaitanya Athale, Gayathri Pananghat, Girish Ratnaparkhi, Jeetender Chugh, Kundan Sengupta, Mayurika Lahiri, Nagaraj Balasubramanian, Madhusudhan M.S., Saikrishnan Kayarat, Sarita Puri, Sunish Radhakrishnan. - Plant Biology – focusing on plant physiology and biotechnology.
Faculty: Anjan Banerjee, Deepak Barua, Sagar Pandit. - Theoretical and Computational Biology – including theoretical neuroscience, bioinformatics, and computational cell biology.
Faculty: Chaitanya Athale, Suhita Nadkarni, Madhusudhan M.S.
Only the above faculty members will accept students in this biology phd jobs round.
Selection Process
Meeting eligibility does not guarantee selection. Candidates will be shortlisted based on:
- Academic performance
- National exam scores
- Performance in the “Research Question” and “Design a Study” sections of the application
Shortlisted applicants will be called for online interviews.
Fellowships and Financial Assistance
Selected candidates in the PhD in Life Sciences program receive fellowships per DST/DBT/UGC guidelines. IISER Pune also supports Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) applicants, where exceptional candidates may be nominated for this prestigious fellowship.
Important Dates
- Starting date of applications: October 3, 2025
- Last date to apply: 05.00 PM, October 23, 2025
Application Process
Interested candidates must apply online through the departmental PhD application portal available on the IISER Pune website. A standard non-refundable application fee applies.
Why Choose IISER Pune?
- Prestigious research institute under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
- Access to world-class laboratories and interdisciplinary collaborations.
- Opportunities for mentoring, teaching, and research publication.
- Recognized as a PMRF-granting institute supporting India’s best researchers.
