IIT Delhi Recruitment 2026: Apply for Principal and Senior Project Scientist Posts

About the Organization

IIT Delhi is one of India’s best-known technical institutes, located in Hauz Khas, New Delhi. These posts come from its Industrial Research & Development Unit. They sit in the School of Public Policy, under a project funded by Giving Green. Prof. Kaveri K. Iychettira is the Project Investigator. The project runs up to 31 December 2027.

Job Role and Daily Responsibilities

The project studies renewable energy governance, risk and finance in India. It looks at how solar and wind developers work with local communities and raise money. Your work would include:

• Studying how community and environmental issues affect energy projects

• Helping design and run a survey of energy-sector developers

• Combining survey results with financial and project data

• Doing literature reviews and helping write research papers and reports

• Making clear charts and presenting findings (Principal post)

Visit the job post to find all the recruitment details.

Who Should Apply?

Only Indian nationals can apply.

Principal Project Scientist: 

A Ph.D. with first class in economics, energy systems, public policy, sociology, engineering or a related field. You can also apply with an M.Tech or M.Sc (first class) plus 6 years of related experience.

Senior Project Scientist: 

An M.Tech/MS with first class, or a B.Tech/M.Sc/postgraduate degree with first class and 3 years of related experience.

SC/ST candidates may get a 5% relaxation in marks. The age limit and application fee are not mentioned in the notice.

Salary Breakdown

Pay is a consolidated fellowship plus HRA at 30%.

The notice doesn’t give an exact in-hand figure, so don’t expect one. Retired government employees will be paid as per IRD norms.

Required Skills

• Strong ability to do independent research

• Experience with mixed-methods research: surveys, interviews, data analysis, conjoint analysis

• Good quantitative skills (helpful for the Senior post)

• Knowledge of energy, project finance or energy technologies (a bonus)

• A published paper or working paper (highly desirable for the Principal post)

Required Documents and Format

There is no photo or signature upload here. Everything goes in one single PDF:

• Form No. IRD/REC-4, fully filled

• Your CV

• A cover letter

Name the file like this: “Principal Project Scientist -Khanna.pdf”, meaning post name plus your last name.

How to Prepare the Documents

1. Download the form from the IRD website.

2. Write your marks or division and work experience clearly.

3. Keep your CV to the point and match it to the project.

4. Write a short cover letter explaining why you suit this research.

5. Merge all three into one PDF and check that every page opens properly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending separate files instead of one PDF

• Naming the file wrongly

• Forgetting the advertisement number in the email

• Leaving out the cc address

• Applying at the last minute

• Ignoring the experience requirement

Step-by-Step Application Tips

1. Download Form IRD/REC-4.

2. Fill it in and prepare your CV and cover letter.

3. Make the single PDF.

4. Email it with the advertisement number IITD/IRD/308/2026 in the subject.

5. Send it to Prof. Kaveri Iychettira and Prof. Tarun Khanna, with the cc copy as mentioned in the notice.

6. Send it before 5:00 p.m. on 11 November 2026.

Hard Copy Submission

Not needed. This is an email-only application.

Interview Preparation Tips

The interview is in person, and only shortlisted candidates are informed. Names will appear on the IRD shortlisted page.

• Read about renewable energy finance and community acceptance

• Revise your past research and be ready to explain your methods

• Practise explaining survey design and data analysis simply

• Read the project summary again before you go

Career Growth and Future Scope

Project roles at IIT Delhi can build a strong research profile. You get to work on publications and policy-focused studies. The Senior post may also suit anyone thinking of a Ph.D. or research career.

You can check others’ career guides here

Benefits of Joining

• Work at a top national institute

• Research on climate and energy, a growing field

• Chances to contribute to academic papers

• HRA at 30% on top of a fixed fellowship

The job is on contract, renewable yearly or until the project ends, whichever is earlier.

Candidate Checklist

• Indian national

• Meet the qualification and experience needs

• Form IRD/REC-4 filled

• CV and cover letter ready

• Single, correctly named PDF

• Email sent before the deadline