Junior Research Fellow, School of Arts and Sciences

Project Title: Monitoring reproductive strategies of marsh crocodile populations within Gujarat, an interdisciplinary approach using deep learning tools, behavioral observations, and non-invasive endocrine assay

Project Tenure: 3 years

Essential Qualifications

• As per CSIR Guidelines for Research Scheme/Sponsored Schemes
• BS 4 years programme/ BPharm/ MBBS/ Integrated BS-MS/ MSc/ BE/ BTech or equivalent degree, with 55% marks
• Passing of NET/GATE test is mandatory

Job Description: We are seeking a motivated and skilled Junior Research Fellow to join our team for an exciting project focused on understanding reproductive strategies of mugger crocodiles across diverse habitats within Gujarat. The project will involve extensive fieldwork and laboratory work on analyzing scat samples for measuring reproductive hormones.

Key responsibilities

• Capture video footage of mugger crocodiles using drones.
• Conduct long hours of fieldwork as a part of a team, both during day and night time, in mugger habitats to record behavioral observations and collect scat samples.
• Conduct hormone assays to generate endocrine readouts for mugger populations
• Conduct chemical analysis of collected water samples to measure several parameters related to water quality
• Organise and manage data

If you are passionate about wildlife research and have the required skills, we encourage you to apply and contribute to this innovative project. Refer to lab website for further details about the research group: ratnaghosal.com

Desired Skills

• Proficiency in field ecology work
• Experience with laboratory work, preferably molecular ecology analysis
• Familiarity with conducting field work in human-dominated Indian landscapes, with limited amenities and under extreme weather conditions
• Knowledge of basic statistical methods
• Basic skills in data organisation and data visualisation
• Should be proficient in speaking Hindi language
• Driving two-wheeler is an essential skill, and must possess a valid driver’s license

Application process

• Please send in your updated CV with a cover letter to the following email by August 10, 2025 to Professor Ratna Ghosal: ratna.ghosal@ahduni.edu.in
• Please include the following text in the subject line of your email: “JRF Application for CSIR project”. The CV should include details of academic record starting from 10th standard onwards with details of year of passing, university/college, etc and work experience certificate, if applicable.
• Please attach a valid NET/GATE score card along with the application
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed by email about the date of the interview. Appointment will begin from August 25, 2025.