INDIRAGANDHI CENTRE FOR ATOMIC RESEARCH

SELECTION OF JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWS 2008 from Department of Atomic Energy

Government of India

Department of Atomic Energy
INDIRAGANDHI CENTRE FOR ATOMIC RESEARCH
Kalpakkam-603102

“Indira Gandi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is empowering young, talented and motivated students to contribute to path-braking discoveries in frontier areas of Engineering/Scientific Research and cutting-edge technologies by offering Junior Research Fellowships”

“At IGCAR, they believe in ‘EXCELLENCE WITH RELEVANCE’. Their strengths are highly stimulating and scholarly environment, knowledgeable and motivating faculty and the state-of-the-art facilities”.


IGCAR provide the means to realize your dreams towards seeking an excellent scientific pursuit.
SELECTION OF JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWS

For Application Format and Other Details Click here:
JRF Advt. No. 01/2008

Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam is a premier research institute dedicated to the development of robust fast reactor technology based on intense multi-disciplinary research. IGCAR is empowering young, talented and motivated students to contribute to pathbreaking discoveries in frontier areas of engineering/scientific research and cutting-edge technologies by offering Junior Research Fellowships.

Applications are invited from interested students for the award of Junior Research Fellowships of the Department of Atomic Energy tenable at the Centre. The selected candidates will be eligible to register for Ph.D. in Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI, a deemed to be university of Department of Atomic Energy). IGCAR offers a unique opportunity to carry out research for their Ph.D under the guidance of internationally renowned scientists. IGCAR possesses ambience of an academic institute coupled with an advanced R&D infrastructure in a mission mode. It provides the best infrastructure, motivation and personality development prospects for talented students, dreaming of unparalleled success in their professional endeavors. Endowed with scenic beauty and serene surroundings, Kalpakkam offers the right ambience for the pursuit of academic research.

The vibrant research and developmental activities of IGCAR encompass a wide spectrum of fields including condensed matter physics, high temperature chemistry, environmental science, applied mechanics, non destructive evaluation etc. State-of-the-art infrastructure is available at IGCAR for carrying out excellent research which includes:
• Ion accelerators, Rutherford Backscattering, Channeling, Positron lifetime measurements and Mossbauer Spectroscopy, Laser Raman Spectroscopy, Advanced sensor technology like SQUIDS, Pulsed Laser ablation, Magnetron Sputtering and Plasma methods
• High Resolution Electron Microscopy, Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy, Electron Probe Microanalysis and Computational facilities for theoretical modeling studies
• Laser induced vaporization mass spectrometry, High temperature mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOFMS, Different types of Calorimetry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Supercritical Fluid Extraction Chromatography, IR spectroscopy, Neutron Activation Analysis, X-ray diffractometry, Thermal Expansion and Phase transition studies
• High temperature component testing facilities, In-sodium testing facility, Steam Generator Test Facility, Large components testing facility and Boron enrichment plant
• Shake Table for seismic simulations, Core Disruptive accident analysis, Design of major equipments and components for PFBR, Gas entrainment studies, Thermal Hydraulics and Structural Integrity assessment(experimental and theoretical)
• Development of Full Scope, Replica type PFBR Operator Training Simulator, providing & management of Computing & Data Communication Facilities, Design & Development of Electronic Instrumentation & Control systems for Nuclear Reactors
• Nuclear counting facility, Thermo Luminescent Dosimetry (TLD) facility, Radon Laboratory, Aerosol Transport Facility, ECR X-ray source and ESR spectrometer,Gamma scanning facility, Bubble detectors, Automated Metaphase finder, fluorescent light microscope, inverted phase contrast microscope, PCR machine and electrophoresis apparatus for bio-dosimetry, Core Catcher and Sodium fire experimental facility.

For more details please visit their website www.igcar.gov.in. Emphasis is on research areas at the interface of science, engineering and technology. Selected JRFs will have to undergo one year of course work starting from September, 2008 as stipulated by HBNI.

NO. OF FELLOWSHIPS : 25 (Indicative)

FELLOWSHIP AND TENURE :
The selected candidates will be initially taken as Junior Research Fellows(JRF) and will be paid a stipend of Rs.12,000/- per month (consolidated). The fellowship will be provided initially for a period of two years. Continuation of the fellowship is subject to satisfactory performance and review at the end of each year. On satisfactory performance, the tenure of Fellowship will be further extended and upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) from the third year onwards with a stipend of Rs.14,000/- per month (consolidated). The total period of the fellowship shall in no case exceed five years. They are entitled for annual book allowance. Subsidised furnished bachelor accommodation will be provided during the tenure.

I A - AREAS OF RESEARCH PROJECTS :
CHEMISTRY:
Chemical thermodynamics, Solid state and high temperature chemistry, Electrochemistry, Spectroscopy and laser, Radiochemistry, Advanced separation techniques, Actinide Chemistry, Trace and ultra trace analytical techniques and Chemical sensors

PHYSICS:
Solid State Phase transformations, Superconductivity, Structure and dynamics of soft condensed matter, Band structure studies, Accelerators based Irradiation induced phenomena, Lowdimensional systems, Physics of interfaces, Nano-materials, Thin films technology and Theoretical physics

METALLURGY OR MATERIALS SCIENCE:
Solid State Phase transformations, Materials development and characterization, Phase equilibria, Creep, Fatigue, Texture and Fracture studies, Microstructural, surface modification and characterization studies, Corrosion and Interface phenomenon.

ENGINEERING SCIENCES :
Robotics and Development of Intelligent machines, Thermal Hydraulics and Structural Mechanics, Design of critical components, Nanotechnology, Modeling studies, Post-accident Safety Analysis, Wireless networking, Parallel computing, Embedded and Simulator systems, Non-destructive Evaluation and Reliability, Chemical Process Design and Modeling.

IB – QUALIFYING DEGREES
The qualifying degrees for the above projects should be in one of the following disciplines:
1)Physics 2) Chemistry 3) Metallurgy or Materials Science 4) Electrical or Electronics Engineering (EEE,Electronics,ECE,E&IorI&C) 5) Computer Science 6) Mechanical Engineering 7) Chemical Engineering 8) Instrumentation Engineering.

II – ELIGIBILITY :QUALIFICATIONS
Category-A
(Those who have already completed M.Sc.)
The candidate must have obtained a minimum of 60% marks in Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree from a recognized University in one of the following disciplines.
1) Physics or Materials Science: Mathematics/Numerical Methods must be one of the subjects studied at the M.Sc. level and Chemistry as an ancillary subject up to B.Sc. level.
2) Chemistry: Physics and Mathematics must be studied as ancillary subjects up to B.Sc. level.
3) Applied Physics: Mathematics/Numerical methods must be one of the subjects studied at the M.Sc. level and Chemistry as an ancillary subject up to B.Sc. level.

Category-B
(Those who have already completed B.E./B.Tech./ M.E/M.Tech/ B.S. or B.Sc. Engineering/B.Sc[Tech.] from a recognized University )
The candidate must have obtained a minimum of 60% marks in one of the engineering disciplines mentioned under Para IB. For B.E/B.Tech./B.S. or B.Sc. Engineering/ B.Sc. [Tech] candidates, GATE qualification is essential in any one of the following papers appropriate to the discipline of the qualifying degree:
(i) Chemical Engineering (ii) Computer Science & Engineering (iii) Electronics & Communication Engineering, (iv) Electrical Engineering (v) Instrumentation Engineering (vi) Mechanical Engineering (vii) Metallurgical Engineering.

Category-C
(Those who are doing final year/semester of M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech/B.S or B.Sc. Engineering/B.Sc.[Tech.]/M.E/M.Tech

The candidate should be in the final year/semester of M.Sc/B.E/B. Tech/B.S or B.Sc. Engineering/B.Sc[Tech] Degree course in recognized Universities in one of the disciplines mentioned under para IB. For B.E/B.Tech./B.S. or B.Sc. Engineering/B.Sc.[Tech.] candidates, GATE qualifications is essential as mentioned in Category –B. However, such candidates shall have acquired marks above 60% in the qualifying degrees before joining the Centre and a minimum aggregate of 60% in B.Sc. level (in the case of M.Sc). Relevant certificates to this effect should be submitted at the time of joining the Centre.

Candidates in all the categories should have had consistently good academic record during the previous year[s]/ semesters in M.Sc./ B.E/ B. Tech./ B.S. or B.Sc. Engineering/B.Sc.[Tech.]/M.E/M. Tech.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT :
1. The candidate must be an Indian national.
2. The candidate should be less than 28 years of age as on 01.07. 2008 (date of birth 1st July 1980 or later). A relaxation of up to 5 years in age can be given in the case of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, Physically Challenged applicants. A relaxation of up to 3 years in age can be given in the case of Other Backward Class applicants.

III - SELECTION PROCEDURE :
For Science Stream Candidates under Category –A or C:
Candidates will be selected from among the applicants for induction as JRF based on a WRITTEN TEST followed by INTERVIEW. However, candidates with 95 percentile or above in GATE (Physics or Chemistry), JEST / UGC CSIR NET scores or UGC CSIR NET research fellowship are exempted from Written Test and will be called for Interview directly.

It is proposed to conduct the Written Test at Chennai. Additional Centres at Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Indore will be considered depending on adequate number of candidates opting for these centers. Please indicate your choice centre in addition to Chennai.

For Engineering Candidates under Category B or C:
Suitable engineering candidates under these categories will be called for Interview directly.

Selection Interviews:
The Interview for all short listed candidates will be conducted at IGCAR, Kalpakkam/Chennai.

The list of candidates selected for the award of Junior Research Fellowship will be displayed on the IGCAR website. The selected candidates will also be informed by post.

The final induction of the selected candidates as JRFs will be subject to production of all necessary documents in original (Proof of Date of Birth/ caste certificate/physically challenged certificate if applicable, M.Sc./B.E/B.Tech. degree and Marks sheets, B.Sc. Marks sheets (if applicable) on the dates intimated to them by the department.

FOR CANDIDATES OF CATEGORY-C OF II ABOVE, FINAL INDUCTION AS JRFs IS SUBJECT TO SUBMISSION OF PROOF OF OBTAINING 60% MARKS IN THE QUALIFYING DEGREE EXAMINATIONS, AT THE TIME OF JOINING THE CENTRE.

IV - APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
i) The Application Form and Hall Ticket Form can also be downloaded from the IGCAR website www.igcar.gov.in or obtained from Employment News.
ii) Send the completed Application Form typed on a A4 size sheet AND Hall Ticket Form along with the required enclosures by Post ,so as to reach IGCAR on or before 5TH May, 2008 to :
The Administrative Officer–II (Rectt.),Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research,
Kalpakkam–603 102, District. Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

Superscribe the envelope: JRF, Advt No. 01/2008 & also the discipline clearly.(as given in IB- QUALIFYING DEGREES)

The applicant in due course would receive Hall Ticket, appropriately endorsed by IGCAR which will permit the candidate to appear for the written test and/or the interview.

V- TRAVEL ALLOWANCE:
Candidates called for the interview will be reimbursed return second class railway fare from their normal place of residence as per rules.

VI - GENERAL INFORMATION :
The selected candidates are eligible to join the Contributory Health Service Scheme of this Centre as applicable and will be provided Hostel Accommodation.

The number of fellowships indicated in this advertisement is approximate and may vary as per the requirement at the time of final selection. The Centre reserves the right not to fill up the fellowships if it so desires. The fellowship shall not confer any claim or right for regular employment in the Centre or any Unit of Department of Atomic Energy. Opportunity for meritorious candidates exists for the position of Visiting Scientist under KSKRA scheme.

Candidates are advised to visit the website www.igcar.gov.in periodically for further information and updates in this regard. Clarifications, if any, can be obtained through the email ID: shure@igcar.gov.in and or ID: grkn@igcar.gov.in

VI – CALENDAR FOR IMPORTANT TASKS :
Last date for receipt of applications : 5th May 2008
Written Test : 3rd week of June 2008
Interview : 2nd week of July 2008
Likely Date of Joining : 1st week of August 2008

VII – IMPORTANT CHECK LIST :
Attested copies of the following certificates must accompany the application form without which the application is liable to be rejected.

Proof of date of birth

Caste certificate, if applicable

DEGREE certificates and

Mark lists of B.Sc, M.Sc or B.E./B.Tech., M.E./M.Tech, B.S. Engg./B.Sc[Tech].

Consolidated mark sheets and calculation for aggregate marks of the qualifying exams to be attached.

Candidates under Category –C to provide the mark sheets of all previous years/semesters

Sheet giving details of conversion from CGPA to percentage marks, where applicable.

IGCAR strengths are the highly stimulating and scholarly environment, knowledge and motivating faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.

Please long on to IGCAR Website:
www.igcar.gov.in or refer to Employment News, for more details.

LAST DATE FOR RECEIPT OF FILLED-IN APPLICATIONS: May 5, 2008 (Monday).