Overview
Utkal University Recruitment 2026 invites applications for 28 temporary and contractual positions under its Research and Development Cell and various Centres of Excellence (CoEs) supported by RUSA 2.0. The vacancies include Research Associate, Research Assistant, Field Investigator and Research-cum-Academic Coordinator posts. Eligible Indian nationals with the required educational qualifications can apply for the relevant position.
Applications must reach the university by 23 October 2026. Candidates must send a completed application form with supporting documents by Speed Post to the designated university office. A soft copy may also be sent by email to the address given in the notification. Applicants should check the requirements for their preferred centre and post before applying.
Vacancy Details
The university has announced 28 vacancies across seven Centres of Excellence and the Research and Development Cell. The centre-wise distribution is shown below.
| Centre or Unit | Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Centre for Environment Studies, Climate Change & Public Health | Research Assistant | 2 |
| Centre for Public Policy & Governance | Research Associate | 1 |
| Centre for Public Policy & Governance | Research Assistant | 1 |
| Centre for Public Policy & Governance | Field Investigator | 2 |
| Centre for North-East India Studies | Research Assistant | 1 |
| Centre for North-East India Studies | Field Investigator | 5 |
| Global Centre of Rural Studies | Research Assistant | 1 |
| Global Centre of Rural Studies | Field Investigator | 1 |
| Centre for Study of Unorganized Labour | Research Assistant | 1 |
| Centre for Study of Unorganized Labour | Field Investigator | 6 |
| Centre for Study of Language, Literature & Culture | Research Assistant | 1 |
| Centre for Study of Language, Literature & Culture | Field Investigator | 3 |
| High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics | Research Associate | 1 |
| High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics | Research Assistant | 1 |
| R&D Cell | Research-cum-Academic Coordinator | 1 |
| Total | All posts | 28 |
The appointments are temporary and contractual. The engagement period depends on the post and centre, and ranges from two to six months, subject to the approved research plan, availability of funds and university rules.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Indian nationals and meet the qualification requirements for the specific post. Many positions require at least 55% marks in the relevant degree. NET or PhD qualifications are preferred for several Research Assistant posts, while Research Associate posts have additional requirements.
| Post or centre | Essential qualification |
|---|---|
| Research Assistant – Environment Studies, Climate Change & Public Health | M.Sc in Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology or another Life Science subject with at least 55%; or MA/M.Sc in Economics, Geography, Geology, Public Health or Environmental Science with at least 55%, according to the designated vacancy. NET/PhD is preferred. Experience in animal cell culture is desirable for the Life Science position. |
| Research Associate – Public Policy & Governance | Postgraduate degree in a Social Science discipline with at least 55%, along with NET/PhD and at least two years of research experience. Relevant subjects include Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology and Development Studies. |
| Research Assistant – Public Policy & Governance | Postgraduate degree in a Social Science discipline with at least 55%. NET/PhD is preferred. |
| Field Investigator – Public Policy & Governance | Graduation in Social Science with at least 55%. Preference is given to four-year graduates or postgraduate degree holders. |
| Research Assistant – North-East India Studies | Postgraduate degree in Social Science or Humanities with at least 55%. NET/PhD is preferred. |
| Field Investigator – North-East India Studies | Graduation in Social Science or Humanities with at least 55%. Preference is given to four-year graduates or postgraduate degree holders. |
| Research Assistant – Global Centre of Rural Studies | Postgraduate degree in Social Science with at least 55%. NET/PhD is preferred. |
| Field Investigator – Global Centre of Rural Studies | Graduation in Social Science with at least 55%. Preference is given to four-year graduates or postgraduate degree holders. |
| Research Assistant – Study of Unorganized Labour | Postgraduate degree in Management, PMIR, Social Work or Sociology with at least 55%. PhD, MPhil or NET with research experience is preferred. |
| Field Investigator – Study of Unorganized Labour | Graduation in Management or a Social Science discipline with at least 55%. Preference is given to four-year graduates or postgraduate degree holders. |
| Research Assistant – Language, Literature & Culture | Postgraduate degree in English, Odia, Sanskrit, Social Science or Humanities with at least 55%. NET/PhD is preferred. |
| Field Investigator – Language, Literature & Culture | Graduation in Social Science or Humanities with at least 55%. Preference is given to four-year graduates or postgraduate degree holders. |
| Research Associate – High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics | M.Sc in Physics with at least 55%, NET/PhD and at least two years of research experience. |
| Research Assistant – High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics | M.Sc in Physics with at least 55%. NET/PhD is preferred. |
| Research-cum-Academic Coordinator | Master’s degree in any discipline with at least 55%. Experience in project coordination, documentation, research or policy documentation, computer skills and digital data management is preferred. |
Applicants should carefully match their qualifications with the specific centre and post. A general qualification may not be sufficient if the selected position requires a particular subject or research experience.
Age Limit
The official notification does not specify an age limit for these posts. Candidates should consult the university if they require clarification on any age-related condition.
Salary and Benefits
The monthly remuneration depends on the position, as listed below.
| Post | Monthly remuneration |
|---|---|
| Research Associate | Rs. 47,000 |
| Research Assistant | Rs. 37,000 |
| Field Investigator | Rs. 20,000 |
| Research-cum-Academic Coordinator | Rs. 37,000 |
The engagement period varies by centre and post. It may be two, three, five or six months, as specified in the advertisement. Continuation is subject to the approved research plan, availability of funds and university rules.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date | 09 October 2026 |
| Application start date | 09 October 2026 |
| Last date for receipt of application | 23 October 2026 |
The completed application must reach the university by the closing date. Candidates should allow enough time for Speed Post delivery and send the email copy to the address specified in the notification.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates must use the prescribed application form and submit the required documents. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official Utkal University recruitment page and download the application form: https://utkaluniversity.ac.in/recruitment/.
- Choose the post and centre that match your qualifications. Candidates applying for more than one post must submit separate applications.
- Complete the application form and attach self-attested copies of educational certificates and mark sheets.
- Attach supporting documents for research work, publications, achievements and experience, where applicable.
- If you are employed, arrange for the application to be forwarded by your employer. An advance copy may be sent to avoid delay, followed by the forwarded application.
- Write the required post and Centre of Excellence details on the envelope as instructed in the notification.
- Send the completed application by Speed Post to: Director, Research and Development (R&D Cell), Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar – 751004, Odisha.
- Send a soft copy of the application to director.rd.uu@gmail.com.
- Ensure the application reaches the university by 23 October 2026. Keep copies of the form and supporting documents for reference.
Incomplete applications may be rejected. No travel or daily allowance will be paid for attending the Selection Committee or joining the first appointment. Canvassing on behalf of a candidate may lead to disqualification.
Selection Process
The selection process begins with scrutiny of applications. Eligible candidates will be shortlisted, and the university will inform them by email or phone about the next stage.
- Application screening: The university checks applications and supporting documents against the requirements of the post.
- Shortlisting: Suitable candidates are selected for further consideration.
- Selection Committee interview: Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview. The notification does not provide a fixed interview date.
Applicants should ensure that their contact details are correct and remain available for communication from the university.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many vacancies are available at Utkal University?
There are 28 temporary and contractual vacancies across the Research and Development Cell and various Centres of Excellence.
2. What is the last date to apply?
The last date for receipt of the application is 23 October 2026.
3. What is the salary for these posts?
Monthly remuneration ranges from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 47,000, depending on the post.
4. Is there an age limit?
The official notification does not specify an age limit for these positions.
5. How can candidates submit their applications?
Candidates must send the completed application and supporting documents by Speed Post to the Director, R&D Cell, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. A soft copy may also be emailed to director.rd.uu@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: Odisha Careers is not affiliated with any government body. Please verify all details on the official notification before applying.
