role of junior research fellow

Research Fellow

Key skills:

• A Higher Degree ( PhD / DPhil / MD ) in a relevant field
• Drive to lead and conduct research
• High level subject expertise and research experience
• Good record of published research
• Well-developed communication skills, able to write reports, papers , and funding proposals
• Driven and self-motivated; able to work independently and under pressure

Typical job titles: Research Fellow, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, [named scheme] Research Fellow

A Research Fellow is a position where you get to lead research, in some cases for the first time. Research Fellows propose their own research project and have to secure funding to undertake it, acting as a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator for that project. This could be the entire role or it could also include work in another research group too.

It is one of the ways you progress in a university research career from being a postdoctoral researcher who works within a research group. Research Fellows differ from lecturers and many other mid-career positions in universities because the primary role is to conduct research and commitments to teaching or administration are limited.

There is a wide range of titles for these posts, partly dependent on who is funding them. Although most will be employed by a university, an external funder may ultimately pay for this to happen. The Royal Society’s University Research Fellowship scheme is an example, but many other funders, including Research Councils and other Academies , offer similar schemes. It is also possible for a Research Fellow to be funded by the university or research institution itself.

There is also a range in seniority of Research Fellow positions, ranging from Junior Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow to Principal Research Fellow (and occasionally even Professorial Research Fellow). What is common is that the researcher is funded mainly to undertake research.

Imogen Gingell

Imogen Gingell finished her PhD in fusion plasma physics at Warwick in 2013, and went on to join space physics groups in London before establishing herself as a research fellow at Southampton in 2019. Her research tackles the interaction between Earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind, especially at shockwaves where the solar wind slows from super-sonic to sub-sonic speeds.

The earlier you can get to grips with the landscape and requirements of STEM careers, the better.

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Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs)

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JRF's are fixed term awards of college membership, given to early stage academics, often before final submission of their PhD or shortly afterwards. They are awarded on the basis of research excellence, are prestigious and highly competitive.

Stipendary JRF's include a salary, non-stipendary ones don't. The connection to a college sometimes, but not always, includes benefits such as accommodation or meals. Teaching, and other college responsibilities, vary dependent on college requirements.

Applying for JRFs - finding openings

• Look for JRFs on jobs.ac.uk , the Reporter , the Oxford Gazette, the Guardian and The Times HE section. Some are only advertised on college websites, check them regularly.
• Any age / seniority limitations should be indicated on the advert. Many have limits on amount of time passed since gaining first degree / since beginning PhD.
• Overseas applicants: Colleges should specify whether you need the right to work in the UK or whether they could sponsor your visa; but as long as immigration rules are in flux, keep checking the UKVI website.
• Application deadlines for different colleges are spread over the entire year.
• Apply to as many Colleges as possible
• Not all Colleges will be advertising JRFs in your subject area in a particular year
• Do not be afraid to ring the Colleges up to resolve uncertainties (many questions can be asked without giving your name!)
• Making JRF applications takes time and should not be rushed, start drafting ideas and networking early.
• Some Oxbridge ‘fellowships’ are more like junior lectureships.

The application procedure

• First round of applications
• Long shortlist (~30 applicants) – written work requested
• Written work evaluated by anonymous specialist assessors, usually external
• Final shortlist (~8 applicants)
• Candidates invited for interview
• Successful candidates (in most cases 2, probably one in humanities, one in sciences)
• Create a table for your JRF applications to keep track: deadlines, paperwork required, what stage each application has reached etc.

Perseverance and resilience needed

• Apply early (before finishing PhD) and often.
• You are likely to be competing against people you know, like and respect.
• Applying can last 18 months if applying to all available JRF's. The process can be exhausting at a time when you are uncertain about your post PhD future (and probably writing up as well). Don't lose heart - many do and drop out of the process.
• Do your research (in your field) and be realistic about your chances. Find out who has been successful in the past. how does your CV look against theirs, get honest feedback from referees, sponsors etc.
• Statistically there are more good researchers than there are JRF's to offer. If you're getting shortlisted it is a good sign. Keep going and you may well get an offer in due course. Plenty of people have good academic careers without a JRF.
• It’s acceptable to re-apply to a college that you applied to in a previous competition.
• Usually 150-250 applications per place, 700 applications for the big group competitions. However, numbers are unpredictable: one subject-specific competition had 16 applicants one year, and 86 the next.
• 'Open competitions' may not be truly open – they may unofficially want / not want a certain subject, but you won’t know this. Do not be disheartened if your application does well at some colleges and is rejected outright at others.
• Some interviewers may have decided in advance that they are not interested in certain candidates. They are not accountable to HR in the way that other employers would be. Hiring / shortlisting process is not 100% transparent. You often get unofficial feedback but rarely hear anything officially.
• There is always a lot of luck involved! It’s a complicated and opaque process.

Surviving meanwhile (during the application process)

Many leave applying until after submitting their PhD which leaves a gap before any JRF would start.

• Research Assistant roles, either full or part time, keeps you in academia and available for networking, interviews etc
• Supervisions (which pay in arrears)
• Guest lectures - network to offer these
• Academic administration (try the Cambridge Temporary Employment Service)

Applying for JRFs - research proposal and CV

• Have an draft version of your statement ready to develop.
• It needs to address: why I should be doing the research; why here; why now; why at all.
• Format for easy consumption 
• It is worth starting to apply early, so that you can refine your proposals with practice. Many applicants apply before finishing their PhDs. If your PhD is not yet published, specify time and outcome for this.
• Focus on your achievements so far.
• In your research statement / proposal give detail on which journals you plan to submit to. Specify concrete outcomes (book? Articles?), preferably with a temporal structure.
• Should be comprehensible to academics not in your field, i.e. only semi-technical. Get someone else not in your field to read it, and make it very clear why your research is extra special. Use key words to ring bells with different interest groups.
• Ask friends, colleagues etc to read over the proposal and give you honest blunt feedback.

Writing sample

• Requirements will depend on your subject; could be parts of your Thesis; could be publications (you will be asked to specify your contribution)
• A trick: if you have more good work than they asked to see, send in the lot and say ‘please read portions X, Y and Z’
• For scientists, sending stand-alone journal articles is relatively straightforward. For arts researchers, you will have to chop bits out of your PhD / book, which is much harder; you probably need a short prefatory explanation to put it in context. Get friends, family to read your writing sample.
• Keep it mostly academic
• Include any prizes and publications in preparation; publications are important
• Show that you’re a workhorse, not a navel-gazer
• Include a few interests to demonstrate how you might contribute to college life
• No need to itemise the tripos papers you supervise more than once

Applying for JRFs - referees/readers

• 2-3 referees, of whom one can be your PhD supervisor. It's the referees' role to suggest readers to college.
• Referees are very important - choose them carefully. Some Colleges will immediately disregard any candidate without strong references. Unclear at what stage colleges obtain references.
• Locate allies in UK academia – this takes time.
• Remember to keep those who aren’t your supervisor informed about your PhD’s progress.
• Ask referees’ advice about what of your written work to submit.
• Readers are very important. Should include people outside of Cambridge. Make sure (via your referees, or direct, if your referees take suggestions of readers from you) that they understand what a JRF is. You need readers who are sympathetic to your work.
• Longlisted only and your supervisor surprised you’re making no more progress? Consider changing your non-supervisor referees. They may be too busy to read you properly, especially if they’re much in demand because known as a good referee. Or – one of your referees may be recommending the wrong reader.
• If not shortlisted in your own colleges: consult fellows in your subject in your college.

Give your referees:

• A list of deadlines, arranged in temporal sequence (update and re-send the list as necessary)
• Your research proposal(s)
• Plenty of advance warning!
• Sometimes, despite all the reminders, referees FORGET to send references. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you!! For online applications, referees are sent automatic reminders; you can track whether they have submitted your reference.
• Colleges may not give referees much instruction. Check what your referees want, but it’s good to send them the advert and flag up any salient points, e.g. teaching experience is / is not required in this competition.
• are usually around 30 mins.
• can include a 5 minute presentation with handouts.
• Giving a presentation is NOT like reading out an article. If you memorise your presentation, this should not be obvious!

What a college wants from an interview

• Some colleges interview and some don't. On the whole, those that do want to know "what can you contribute to college", those that don’t tend to be more concerned purely with your research.
• Research the college – they may ask you what you will contribute to college life. Look for gaps in the subjects covered by college. Talk to current JRFs at different colleges.
• If possible, find out who your interviewers are in advance, read their research profiles. Read the profiles of other researchers in college: how would you fit in?
• If you are being interviewed, you are academically excellent; so part of the aim is to see what you are like as a person.
• Teaching may or may not come up in discussion. It is good to ask for teaching opportunities, e.g. lecturing, teaching masters students – you will need experience for lectureship applications. Provide a list of papers you can teach for.
• Questions on longer term future plans – how you would use your JRF, publishing plans.

Preparing for an interview or presentation

• Do practice interviews / go over your CV.
• Practice soundbites describing your work – 1 min, 5 mins, 10 mins. This is useful both for interviews and networking. Don’t sound pre-programmed.
• Panels are often mixed specialist / general. Include names of well-known people (or concepts) in your presentation, so that the generalists can connect to your work. Subject-specific competitions still have a generalist interview panel. When an interviewer in a mixed panel asks a specialist question, it’s ok to give two answers: first answer the specialist, then "allow me to rephrase this in more general terms".
• Usually includes a short technical interview with an expert.
• Non-specialists often unwittingly ask very difficult questions. Remember: audiences absorb new information slowly. Use analogies the audience can relate to. Whenever you have to present yourself (whether orally or in writing), consult with friends from a different field.

See also the section on JRFs from our guide on Interview Skills for Academia .

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Research Fellow

A Research Fellow is a NIH employee who possesses a doctoral degree and is on a time-limited, renewable appointment. The purpose of the Research Fellowship is to provide junior-level scientists experience in biomedical research while they provide a service relevant to the Institute or Center’s (IC) program needs. The Research Fellow will spend the entire fellowship in laboratory research, while supporting the performance of NIH intramural research. Scientists with considerable experience beyond postdoctoral training may be designated Senior Research Fellows .

To be eligible for a Research Fellowship, a candidate must have demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement and the ability to conduct successfully, with minimal supervision, a pre-established program in laboratory research.

Because Research Fellows perform services for NIH in addition to the training experience, these positions apply against the IC’s Full-Time Equivalent Employment (FTE) ceiling.

A Research Fellow is a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident (green card, resident alien), or non-resident alien with a valid employment-authorized visa foreign national, who has been appointed to conduct health-related research at a NIH facility. Research Fellow (Visiting Program [VP]) appointments may be renewed; however, the total length of an appointment may not exceed the 5/8 Year Duration Policy . For foreign nationals on a visa, all renewals are subject to applicable visa restrictions.

As part of an effort to attract and retain top-level Research Fellow and Research Fellow (VP) candidates for a variety of different scientific disciplines, the NIH established the following programs:

• Early Independent Scientist : an intramural component of the national NIH Director’s Early Independent Scientist (EIS) Program designed to support recent doctoral graduates in independent positions without the need to train further in a post-doctoral fellowship.
• Independent Research Scholar (IRS) : a new program launched in 2019 focused to build the workforce diversity of independent research scientists.

Both Research Fellows and Research Fellows (VP) are Full-Time Equivalent Employment (FTE) positions.

Approvals (Process)

Research Fellows are appointed using Title 42(g) and approved by the delegated authority in each IC. Research Fellow appointments are traditionally approved by the Scientific Director (SD) for an initial 2-3 year period, but may be made for a shorter period (no less than 3 months). Depending on salary level and other pay components proposed, review and approval may be required from both the IC Title 42 Standing Committee and the NIH Compensation Committee (NCC). Please consult the Title 42 Pay Model for additional information.

For Research Fellows that require clinical credentialing, an additional approval must be received from the Director, CC (or delegate) after recommendation by the Clinical Center (CC) Credentials Committee and the Medical Executive Committee (MEC). For further information, please contact the Office of Credentialing Services, Clinical Center (OCS/CC) at [email protected] or 301-496-5937.

Additional approvals and requirements for Visiting Program fellows can be found at the Division of International Services .

Check Sheets / Checklists

There is currently no Deputy Director for Intramural Research (DDIR) -approved check sheet or checklist for the Research Fellow designation. Individual ICs may have additional requirements and check sheets. Please contact your Administrative Officer (AO) or HR Specialist for additional guidance.

Intramural scientists at the NIH, as is true for all scientists, should be committed to the responsible use of scientific tools and methods to seek new knowledge. While the general principles of scientific methodologies are universal, their detailed application may differ in various scientific disciplines and circumstances. All research staff in the Intramural Research Program should maintain exemplary standards of intellectual honesty in formulating, conducting, presenting, and reviewing research, as befits the leadership role of the NIH.

Within the NIH IRP, the ethical conduct of researchers is governed by the following three disciplines:

• Research Ethics
• Government Ethics

Ethics information may also be available through your specific IC. Please contact your Ethics Counselor for additional guidance.

Pay / Compensation

Pay and compensation for Title 42(g) appointed Research Fellows is based on the Title 42 Pay Model . Research Fellow salary ranges are in Band I. Depending on salary level and other pay components proposed, review and approval may be required from both the IC Title 42 Standing Committee and the NIH Compensation Committee (NCC).

For additional pay and compensation information for Research Fellow (VP) appointments, according to their specific visa requirements, please contact the Division of International Services (DIS) .

Recruitment Process / Appointment Mechanisms

Recruitment of a Research Fellow is made via Title 42(g) .

Sufficient outreach efforts must be taken to assure that a diverse pool of potential candidates (e.g. minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities) is made aware of fellowship opportunities. At a minimum, the candidate must possess a doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, including: Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., D.M.D., Sc.D., or other research doctoral-degree widely recognized in U.S. academe as equivalent to a Ph.D.

Official position descriptions are not required. However, the supervisor must prepare a narrative statement fully describing the duties and responsibilities required.

Qualifications for a Research Fellow appointment include the following:

• Appointees must be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent resident (green card, resident alien), or non-resident aliens with a valid employment-authorized visa.
• Candidates must possess a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.V.M. or equivalent degree in a biomedical, behavioral, or related science, or have been certified by a university as meeting all the requirements leading to such a doctorate.
• Candidates must furnish proof that they meet educational requirements. For most scientists, official transcripts are required. For very senior scientists with established professional reputations who are well known in their fields, a copy of the doctoral degree, and professional license if any, may be sufficient. However, if the diploma does not indicate the field in which the doctorate is awarded (e.g., indicates only Doctor of Philosophy), then copies of transcripts or listings of courses are required.
• Foreign educated scientists from certain countries (e.g., China) may be unable to provide official transcripts. In those rare cases, a copy of the diploma, with official English translation, if necessary, may be accepted. However, if the diploma does not indicate the field in which the doctorate is awarded (e.g., indicates only Doctor of Philosophy), then copies of transcripts or listings of courses, with official translation, are required.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that it is comparable to education received in the United States. ICs may wish to consult with the Division of International Services, ORS, and with OIR for preliminary advice on the equivalency of foreign degrees with U.S. doctorates. Simply because a degree is identified as a doctorate does not mean it is equivalent.
• A minimum of two references is required from professionals in the field, attesting to the candidate’s scientific qualifications, credentials, and accomplishments. Additional references may be required depending upon Office of Intramural Research (OIR) policies and the Intramural Professional Designation (IPD) proposed.

In addition to the aforementioned process, the NIH has established two additional recruitment methods as part of an effort to attract and retain top-level candidates for a variety of different scientific disciplines:

• Early Independent Scientist : an intramural component of the national NIH Director’s Early Independent Scientist (EIS) Program designed to support recent doctoral graduates in independent positions without the need to train further in a post-doctoral fellowship. Successful candidates are provided the resources to establish an independent research program, including salary and benefits, support for lab personnel, lab space, supplies, and start-up equipment. For additional information, please visit the Early Independent Scientists page as part of the IRP Web site.
• Independent Research Scholar (IRS) : a new program launching in 2019 focused to build the workforce diversity of independent research scientists.

Research Fellow appointments are made via Title 42(g) and renewed in 1-year increments, according to the 5/8 Year Duration Policy . The maximum length of this fellowship is eight years, and the duration is determined by the length of time spent at NIH in all fellowship capacities, unless the scientist is approved for tenure-track or another staff NIH appointment. For foreign nationals on a visa, all renewals are subject to applicable visa restrictions.

A Research Fellow is not granted independent resources by their Institute, except for Early Independent Scientists.

Termination

Research Fellow appointments may be terminated before their expiration date for cause (e.g., personal or scientific misconduct), unsatisfactory performance, or administrative reasons, including but not limited to, programmatic changes and/or budgetary considerations. Terminations of a Research Fellow must follow the policies and processes appropriate to the Title 42(g) appointment mechanism.

This page was last updated on Thursday, July 13, 2023

Junior Research Fellow Vs Research Fellow

The differences between junior research fellows and research fellows can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a junior research fellow and a research fellow. Additionally, a junior research fellow has an average salary of $64,677, which is higher than the $53,823 average annual salary of a research fellow.

The top three skills for a junior research fellow include cell culture, R and molecular techniques. The most important skills for a research fellow are patients, research projects, and data analysis.

Junior research fellow vs research fellow overview

Junior research fellow vs research fellow salary.

Junior research fellows and research fellows have different pay scales, as shown below.

Differences between junior research fellow and research fellow education

There are a few differences between a junior research fellow and a research fellow in terms of educational background:

Junior research fellow vs research fellow demographics

Here are the differences between junior research fellows' and research fellows' demographics:

Differences between junior research fellow and research fellow duties and responsibilities

Junior research fellow example responsibilities..

• Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
• Work on synthesis of D-Serine from N-Acetyl-D-glucose using microorganisms, immobilize enzymes, and microbial cells in the key steps.
• Estimate cytokines levels in human patient samples using ELISA methodology.
• Assist in routine analysis using radio immuno assays such as ELISA.
• Involve in the multi-step synthesis of bio-active natural products and also involve in the development of novel synthetic methodologies.
• Construct a preliminary testing platform for a collaborative $3MM NSF grant between biology and electrical engineering exploring molecular communication theory.

Research Fellow Example Responsibilities.

• Collaborate with software engineers to automate identification of 15N- and 13C- labele LC-MS features.
• Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
• Manage investigator initiate and cooperative group correlative studies to identify biomarkers to ascertain tumor burden and clinical outcomes in lymphoma.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data through statistical software SAS and SPSS.
• Conduct sampling, PCR, data analysis and oral presentations of the work
• Implement python and C++ codes for numerical computation of transport properties in models and materials.

Junior research fellow vs research fellow skills

• Cell Culture, 8%
• Molecular Techniques, 7%
• Molecular Biology, 6%
• Chemistry, 6%
• Research Projects, 5%
• Patients, 10%
• Research Projects, 6%
• Data Analysis, 5%
• Cell Culture, 5%
• Immunology, 4%

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What Similar Roles Do

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UGC’s Junior Research Fellowship: Eligibility, Benefits, Application Process

• Updated on  
• Mar 19, 2024

The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced the UGC NET JRF (National Eligibility Test for Junior Research Fellowship) program, which has gained widespread recognition, initially overseen by the CBSE, the administration of UGC NET JRF has transitioned to the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the UGC. Moreover, the exam is conducted biannually, in June and December/January, and its outcomes are pivotal in determining candidates’ eligibility for the coveted Junior Research Fellowship.

The Junior Research Fellowship is conferred upon candidates surpassing the specified cutoff for the respective year. Further, this prestigious fellowship enables recipients to engage in comprehensive research, supported by a stipend from the UGC. The program actively encourages postgraduate students to pursue further studies and research in diverse fields such as humanities, social sciences, languages, and sciences, ultimately leading to the attainment of an MPhil. or PhD. degrees.

In this blog, we will learn the details of UGC’s Junior Research Fellowship. 

Table of Contents

• 1 Objectives of Junior Research Fellowship
• 2 Eligibility Criteria
• 3 Application Process 
• 4 Benefits/ Rewards
• 5 Selection Procedure

Objectives of Junior Research Fellowship

The fundamental objective behind instituting this scholarship is to financially support postgraduate students. Successful performance in the UGC NET exam is crucial in determining candidates’ eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship, which, in turn, grants recipients a monthly monetary award of Rs. 31,000. 

Those who secure admission to M.Phil. or Ph.D. programs following their UGC NET JRF success qualify for a two-year financial assistance period through this scholarship.

Also Read:  BYJU’S National Aptitude Test (BNAT) Scholarship 2024: Amount, Details, Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

The general eligibility criteria for the National Eligibility Test-Junior Research Fellowships are outlined as follows:

1. Candidates aspiring for the Junior Research Fellowship must possess a postgraduate degree from a government-recognized institution or institute.

2. For applicants falling under the General (EWS) category , a master’s degree with a minimum of 55% or an equivalent grade is required.

3. Aspirants belonging to the OBC, ST/SC, PWD, or Transgender categories must have secured at least 50% in their master’s program.

4. Degree holders who completed their master’s degree by September 19, 1991, are eligible for NET with a 5% percentile relaxation.

5. Both ongoing master’s students and those awaiting PG results are eligible to take the UGC NET test. However, to be considered for JRF and Assistant Professor positions, candidates must complete their master’s degree within two years of the NET result date and achieve the required percentile.

6. Further, to apply for the JRF program, candidates in the general category must be under 30. There are no age restrictions for the Assistant Professor program.

7. Along with that, candidates identifying as OBC, ST/SC, PWD, women, or transgender will benefit from a five-year age reduction.

8. Individuals from the armed forces and those with five years of research experience will also receive a five-year age reduction.

9. Lastly, candidates holding an L.L.M. degree qualify for a three-year age reduction.

Also Read:   Aikyashree Scholarship 2024: Amount, Scholarship Status, and Last Date

Application Process 

Applicants aspiring to secure financial assistance through the UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship program are required to participate in the biannual UGC NET exam. Furthermore, those achieving a score above the JRF cutoff for the specific year become eligible for the UGC NET JRF stipend. In addition to the UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship application process, a prerequisite for admission to the M.Phil./Ph.D. program, is outlined below.

Step 1: Visit the NTA’s official website and navigate to “Quick Links.” Click on “UGC NET” and complete the online application form. Take note of the system-generated application number.

2nd Step: Upload the applicant’s scanned signature along with a photograph in JPG or JPEG format (within the 10 to 200 kb size range).

Step 3: Proceed to make the payment using SBI MOPS and retain the receipt as evidence of payment.

4th Step: After successful fee submission, candidates are required to print four copies of the confirmation page.

Benefits/ Rewards

This scholarship provides specific incentives as follows:

1. Junior Research Fellows receive a fellowship of Rs. 31,000.

2. Senior Research Fellows are granted a fellowship of Rs. 35,000.

3. Fellows pursuing an M.Phil. or Ph.D. in the humanities or social sciences receive a fellowship of Rs. 10,000 for the first year and Rs. 20,500 for the subsequent three years.

4. Fellows pursuing an M.Phil. or PhD in science receive a fellowship of Rs. 12,000 for the first year and Rs. 25,009 for the remaining duration.

5. Departmental Support includes Rs. 3,000 for reader assistance.

Also Read: UGC NET Application Process

Selection Procedure

As previously mentioned, the UGC NET serves as a qualifying examination to ascertain candidates’ eligibility for positions as Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and Assistant Professors at diverse universities and colleges nationwide. Successfully passing the NET exam in the field corresponding to your postgraduate studies enables you to apply for JRF positions at your preferred institutions. 

However, the ultimate selection depends on meeting the eligibility criteria and other specified criteria established by the institution to which you are applying.

Relevant Reads:

Ans: Upon successfully clearing the UGC NET exam, numerous opportunities become available. Those who pass the UGC NET examination become eligible for assistant professor positions or receive junior research fellowship awards.

Ans: The UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) offers a monthly stipend to chosen individuals, aiding them in their research endeavours and facilitating the pursuit of a PhD degree.

Ans: The maximum age limit for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is 35 years for men as of July 1 in the year of application and 45 years for women. Candidates must hold a high-class master’s degree with a second-class bachelor’s degree or a second-class master’s degree with a first-class bachelor’s degree.

We hope this blog gave you a complete overview of the UGC’s Junior Research Fellowship 2024. Make sure to subscribe to Leverage Edu to explore more Indian Scholarships like this daily. Thank you for reading!

Aditi Gupta

A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

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Something went wrong. please try again later., you need to sign in before applying for schemes, it seems you have already initiated your application earlier. to know more please visit, check eligibility, ministry of education, junior research fellowship in engineering & technology.

• The tenure of the fellowship is initially for a period of two years as a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
• After the expiry of two years the work of the fellow will be evaluated by experts and if found satisfactory, his/her tenure will be extended for a further period of three years with enhanced emoluments as a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).
• In case the work of the fellow for the first two years is not found satisfactory, one more year will be given to him/her for improvement, but during this period he/she will be designated as a Junior Research Fellow. In such cases work will again be evaluated after three years, and if the improvement is found, the fellow will get two more years under the SRF.
• Thus, the total period of fellowship (JRF and SRF) is five years, which is non-extendable. The awardee can avail research fellowship for the full tenure of the fellowship or up to the date of award of the Ph.D. degree, whichever is earlier.
• All Minimum qualifications are a master's degree in engineering/technology/pharmacy, with 55 percent marks.

GATE is not a mandatory condition for getting a research fellowship to pursue Ph.D.

• Candidates need to hold an M.E./M.Tech. degree.
• The age limit is 40 years as on 1 July of the year of the award, extendable by five years for women and SC/ST candidates.

A total of 22.5 percent of the fellowships are reserved for candidates belonging to SC/ST who fulfill the requisite qualifications laid down for the award. In case of the non-availability of SC/ST candidates, these slots will be made available to general candidates.

• Duly Filled Application Form
• Aadhaar Number
• Proof of DOB (Birth Certificate or Class 10th Marksheet)
• Proof of Address
• Proof of educational qualifications (mark sheets, certificates, diplomas, etc.)
• Certificate from the head of the department/institution
• A brief abstract not exceeding 500 words on the proposed research work methods of approach, etc. must be sent along with the application.
• Proof reg. Employment Status (if currently employed)
• Declaration
• Basic Data Sheet
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Minority certificate (if applicable)
• Physical disability certificate (if applicable)
• Bank Details
• ID proof provided by the government

What Are The Objectives Of This Scheme?

The objective of this scheme is to provide an opportunity to research scholars to undertake advanced study and research in engineering and technology, and agricultural engineering, leading to Ph.D. Subjects like geology and geo-physics are not considered under this scheme.

Is There A Validity To The Scheme Benefits?

The benefits are provided till the complete duration of the course.

What Is The Amount Of Fellowship Provided In This Scheme?

Fellowship @ Rs. 14,000/- p.m. for the initial two years, @ Rs.15,000/- for the remaining period.

What Is The Amount Of Contingency Provided In This Scheme?

Contingency @ Rs.12,000/- p.a. for the initial two years, @Rs.25,000/- p.a. for the remaining period.

What Is The Amount Of Departmental Assistance Provided In This Scheme?

Departmental Assistance @ Rs. 3,000/- p.a. per student to the host institute for providing, infrastructure to the researcher.

What Is The Amount Of Escorts/Reader Assistance Provided In This Scheme?

Escorts/Reader Assistance @Rs.2,000/- p.m. in cases of physically handicapped and blind candidates.

Is Medical Assistance Provided To The Candidate?

Medical: No separate/fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the fellow may avail the medical facilities available in the institution/university.

How Many Days Of Leave In A Year Are The Researchers Entitled To?

Research Fellows are entitled to a maximum period of 30 days leave in a year in addition to public holidays.

Is The Candidate Entitled To Leave, For Summer, Winter, Pooja Vacations?

They are not entitled to any other leave, for example, summer, winter, pooja vacations, etc.

Is Maternity Leave Provided To Women Candidates?

Women candidates are eligible for maternity leave of 135 days at full rates of fellowship once during the tenure of their award.

Will The Period Of Leave Without Fellowship Be Counted Towards The Total Tenure Of The Fellowship?

No, the period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the total tenure of the fellowship.

What Is The Total Period Of Fellowship (JRF And SRF)?

The total period of fellowship (JRF and SRF) is five years, which is non-extendable. The awardee can avail research fellowship for the full tenure of the fellowship or up to the date of award of the Ph.D. degree, whichever is earlier.

Is GATE Score Card Required For Getting A Research Fellowship To Pursue Ph.D.?

Is There An Age Criteria To This Scheme?

Yes, the age limit is 40 years as on 1 July of the year of the award, extendable by five years for women and SC/ST candidates.

Is There A Percent Of Fellowships That Are Reserved For SC/ST Candidates?

Is There Any Application Fee?

No. The entire application process is completely free of cost.

Do I Need To Complete The Application In One Sitting?

No. You can save the application as draft and continue at a later time before the deadline.

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What is the difference between JRF & Assistant Professor?

Difference between JRF and Assistant Professor

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor are distinct roles in academia. JRF focuses on research, offering stipends for research pursuits and encouraging contributions to academic knowledge. On the other hand, Assistant Professors balance teaching & research responsibilities within educational institutions. JRF eligibility relies on competitive exams assessing research aptitude, while Assistant Professors typically hold postgraduate degrees. While JRF paves the way for research careers, Assistant Professors progress through academic ranks, contributing to both education and research.  JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)  & Assistant Professor are both roles within the academic and research sector, but they have distinct roles and responsibilities.

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF):

Purpose: A JRF is typically awarded to individuals pursuing research in various fields. It is often considered the initial step in an academic research career.

Eligibility : To qualify for a JRF, candidates usually need to clear competitive exams like the UGC NET, CSIR NET, or other relevant exams. These exams assess a candidate's research aptitude and subject knowledge.

Funding: JRF recipients are often provided financial support in the form of a stipend. This stipend is aimed at supporting their research activities and encouraging them to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their chosen field.

Research Focus: JRF holders are expected to engage in research activities, including literature reviews, data collection, experimentation, and analysis. The outcome of their research contributes to the academic and scientific community.

Assistant Professor:

Role: An Assistant Professor is a faculty position in academic institutions. Assistant Professors are responsible for teaching, research, and other academic activities.

Qualifications: To become an Assistant Professor, candidates usually require a postgraduate degree (such as a Master's or Ph.D.) in their respective fields. Having relevant research experience is often an advantage.

Teaching: Assistant Professors are primarily responsible for delivering lectures, conducting seminars, and guiding students in their academic pursuits. They play a crucial role in shaping students' knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Research: While teaching is a significant aspect of the role, Assistant Professors are also expected to engage in research. They publish research papers, participate in conferences, and contribute to the academic community's knowledge base.

Career Progression : Assistant Professors can progress through various stages, such as Associate Professor and Professor, based on their teaching, research, and overall contribution to academia.

In summary, a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is primarily focused on encouraging and funding research endeavors, while an Assistant Professor is a faculty position that involves both teaching and research responsibilities. Both roles contribute significantly to the growth and advancement of the academic and research sectors.

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Junior research fellow.

Posted on : 30/01/2024

Applications are invited from suitable candidates for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) to work on the following project sponsored by Ministry of Education (MOE-STARS scheme) under the supervision of Dr. Nilanjan Dey , Department of Chemistry BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad campus.

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Junior research fellow – 2 positions.

• Apply by 04/05/2024

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• Apply by 26/04/2024
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