Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has invited applications from eligible Indian nationals for 28 temporary and contractual research staff positions under the RUSA 2.0 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and the Research and Development (R&D) Cell. The recruitment includes Research Associate, Research Assistant, Field Investigator and Research-cum-Academic Coordinator posts.
Eligible candidates can apply by sending the prescribed application form and supporting documents through Speed Post. A soft copy may also be sent by email. The last date for receipt of applications is 23 October 2026.
Candidates should check the centre-wise qualifications, remuneration and engagement period before applying.
Utkal University Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Utkal University |
| Department | Research and Development (R&D) Cell |
| Advertisement Date | 9 October 2026 |
| Recruitment Name | Utkal University Research Staff Recruitment 2026 |
| Post Names | Research Associate, Research Assistant, Field Investigator, Research-cum-Academic Coordinator |
| Total Vacancies | 28 (calculated from the post-wise vacancy counts) |
| Job Location | Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| Job Type | Temporary and contractual |
| Monthly Salary | ₹20,000 to ₹47,000, depending on the post |
| Application Mode | Speed Post; soft copy by email may also be sent |
| Last Date to Apply | 23 October 2026 |
| Official Website | https://utkaluniversity.ac.in/ |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 9 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application | 23 October 2026 |
| Interview / Selection Date | Not specified in the supplied advertisement |
Applicants should ensure that their applications reach the university by the deadline. The notice specifies the last date for receipt, so candidates should allow sufficient time for postal delivery.
Vacancy Details
The recruitment covers seven Centres of Excellence under RUSA 2.0 and one position in the R&D Cell.
| Centre / Section | Research Associate | Research Assistant | Field Investigator | Coordinator | Total |
| Centre for Environment Studies, Climate Change & Public Health | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Centre for Public Policy & Governance | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Centre for North-East India Studies | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| Global Centre of Rural Studies | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Centre for Study of Unorganized Labour | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Centre for Study of Language, Literature & Culture | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| R&D Cell – Academic Coordinator | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 2 | 8 | 17 | 1 | 28 |
Centre-Wise Qualifications and Engagement Period
The essential qualification depends on the post and the Centre of Excellence. Candidates should identify the position matching their educational background before submitting an application.
1. Centre for Environment Studies, Climate Change & Public Health
Research Assistant – 2 posts
- 1 post: M.Sc. in Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology or another Life Science subject, with at least 55% marks. NET/Ph.D. candidates will be preferred. Hands-on experience in animal cell culture techniques is desirable.
- 1 post: M.A./M.Sc. in Economics, Geography, Geology, Public Health or Environmental Science, with at least 55% marks. NET/Ph.D. candidates will be preferred.
- Engagement period: 6 months.
2. Centre for Public Policy & Governance
Research Associate – 1 post
- Postgraduate degree in a Social Science discipline, preferably Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology or Development Studies, with at least 55% marks.
- NET/Ph.D. and at least two years of research experience are required.
- Engagement period: 3 months.
Research Assistant – 1 post
- Postgraduate degree in a Social Science discipline, preferably Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology or Development Studies, with at least 55% marks.
- NET/Ph.D. candidates will be preferred.
- Engagement period: 6 months.
Field Investigator – 2 posts
- Graduation in Social Science with at least 55% marks.
- Preference will be given to candidates with a four-year graduation degree or a postgraduate degree.
- Engagement period: 3 months.
3. Centre for North-East India Studies
Research Assistant – 1 post
- Postgraduate degree in Social Science and Humanities disciplines with at least 55% marks.
- NET/Ph.D. candidates will be preferred.
- Engagement period: 6 months.
Field Investigator – 5 posts
- Graduation in Social Science and Humanities with at least 55% marks.
- Preference will be given to candidates with a four-year graduation degree or a postgraduate degree.
- Location allocation: 2 posts for Odisha sites and 3 posts for North-East sites.
- Engagement period: 3 months.
4. Global Centre of Rural Studies
Research Assistant – 1 post
- Postgraduate degree in a Social Science discipline with at least 55% marks.
- NET/Ph.D. candidates will be preferred.
- Engagement period: 6 months.
Field Investigator – 1 post
- Graduation in a Social Science discipline with at least 55% marks.
- Preference will be given to candidates with a four-year graduation degree or a postgraduate degree.
- Engagement period: 6 months.
5. Centre for Study of Unorganized Labour
Research Assistant – 1 post
- Postgraduate degree in Management, PMIR, Social Work or Sociology, with at least 55% marks.
- Ph.D., M.Phil. or NET, along with research experience, will be preferred.
- Engagement period: 5 months.
Field Investigator – 6 posts
- Graduation in any Management or Social Science discipline with at least 55% marks.
- Preference will be given to candidates with a four-year graduation degree or a postgraduate degree.
- Engagement period: 2 months.
6. Centre for Study of Language, Literature & Culture
Research Assistant – 1 post
- Postgraduate degree in English, Odia, Sanskrit or any Social Science or Humanities discipline, with at least 55% marks.
- NET/Ph.D. candidates will be preferred.
- Engagement period: 5 months.
Field Investigator – 3 posts
- Graduation in Social Science and Humanities with at least 55% marks.
- Preference will be given to candidates with a four-year graduation degree or a postgraduate degree.
- Engagement period: 5 months.
7. High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics
Research Associate – 1 post
- M.Sc. in Physics with at least 55% marks.
- NET/Ph.D. and at least two years of research experience are required.
- Engagement period: 5 months.
Research Assistant – 1 post
- M.Sc. in Physics with at least 55% marks.
- NET/Ph.D. candidates will be preferred.
- Engagement period: 5 months.
8. Academic Coordinator – R&D Cell
Research-cum-Academic Coordinator – 1 post
- Master’s degree in any discipline with at least 55% marks.
- Preference will be given to candidates with experience in project coordination and documentation, research and policy documentation, computer skills and digital data management.
- Engagement period: 6 months.
Salary Details
The monthly remuneration is specified by post, not by the Centre of Excellence.
| Name of Post | Monthly Remuneration |
|---|---|
| Research Associate (RA) | ₹47,000 |
| Research Assistant (RAt) | ₹37,000 |
| Field Investigator (FI) | ₹20,000 |
| Research-cum-Academic Coordinator (RAC) | ₹37,000 |
The engagement period varies by post and is subject to the approved research plan, availability of funds and university rules. These positions are temporary and contractual; the advertisement does not promise permanent employment.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should carefully check the essential qualification specified for their chosen post.
- Nationality: Applications are invited from eligible Indian nationals.
- Educational qualification: Varies by post and centre, as detailed above.
- Minimum marks: Many posts require at least 55% marks in the relevant qualification.
- NET/Ph.D.: Required for certain Research Associate posts and preferred for several Research Assistant posts.
- Research experience: At least two years is required for the Research Associate positions under Public Policy & Governance and High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics.
- Age limit: No general age limit is stated in the supplied advertisement.
Meeting the minimum qualification does not necessarily guarantee selection. Candidates should refer to the official notice for the exact requirements applicable to their chosen position.
Selection Process
The supplied advertisement states that shortlisted candidates will be informed by email or phone. It does not provide a complete, detailed selection procedure.
Candidates should monitor their email and phone for communication from the university. Do not assume an interview date or selection method that has not been officially announced.
Documents Required
Applicants should submit the relevant documents with the prescribed application form:
- Self-attested copies of certificates and mark sheets of examinations passed.
- Copies of other achievements and research work.
- Experience certificate, if applicable.
- Forwarding of the application by the employer, if employed.
- Reprints of all research paper publications.
Candidates who are currently employed may send an advance copy of the application to avoid delay; the forwarding of the application is to follow.
Read the official advertisement carefully to ensure the application is complete. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official Utkal University recruitment page.
- Download the prescribed application form.
- Select the post and Centre of Excellence for which you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Fill in the application form carefully and provide accurate educational, experience and publication details.
- Attach self-attested copies of the required certificates, mark sheets, research work, experience certificate (if any) and research paper reprints.
- If you are employed, arrange the employer’s forwarding as applicable under the notice.
- Send the completed application and documents by Speed Post to the address below.
- You may also send a soft copy of the application to the official email address.
Postal address:
Director, Research and Development (R&D Cell)
Utkal University, Vani Vihar
Bhubaneswar – 751004, Odisha, India
Email: director.rd.uu@gmail.com
The envelope should be superscribed in the format specified in the notice:
“APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF __________ IN THE COE IN __________ (Name of the COE) UNDER RUSA-2.0 COE / R&D CELL.”
The last date for receipt of the application is 23 October 2026. Candidates applying for different posts must submit separate applications.
Important Instructions
- Engagement is purely temporary and contractual.
- Candidates must apply separately for different posts.
- No TA/DA will be paid for attending the selection committee or joining the first appointment.
- Canvassing by or on behalf of a candidate will result in disqualification.
- Incomplete applications may be rejected without further correspondence.
- The university reserves the right to amend, alter or cancel the stated conditions when necessary.
- Engagement will be exclusively for the concerned CoE under RUSA 2.0 or the R&D Cell at Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar.
- Shortlisted candidates will be informed by email or phone.
Final Words
Utkal University Recruitment 2026 offers temporary research and fieldwork opportunities for eligible candidates across multiple academic disciplines. Before applying, check the qualification for the specific Centre of Excellence, prepare all supporting documents and send the application well before 23 October 2026.
Candidates should rely on the official Utkal University advertisement for final confirmation of eligibility and application requirements.
Important Links
| Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| More Odisha Govt Jobs | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the last date to apply for Utkal University Recruitment 2026?
The last date for receipt of applications is 23 October 2026.
2. How many vacancies are available?
There are 28 posts, calculated from the vacancy counts listed across the Centres of Excellence and the R&D Cell in the advertisement.
3. Which posts are available?
The posts are Research Associate, Research Assistant, Field Investigator and Research-cum-Academic Coordinator.
4. What is the salary for Utkal University research staff?
Monthly remuneration ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹47,000, depending on the post.
5. What is the minimum qualification?
The qualification varies by post. It includes relevant postgraduate degrees and graduation in specified Social Science or Humanities disciplines. Many positions require at least 55% marks.
6. Is this a permanent government job?
No. The advertisement describes the engagements as purely temporary and contractual.
7. How can candidates apply?
Candidates must download the prescribed form from the university recruitment page and send the completed application with relevant documents by Speed Post. A soft copy may also be emailed.
8. Where should the application be sent?
Applications should be addressed to the Director, Research and Development (R&D Cell), Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar – 751004, Odisha.