Opportunities

Recent announcements

Job Opportunity: Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF) at NISER Bhubaneswar: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 23rd May, 2026.

Project Title: Understanding Host-Gut Microbiome Interaction in Insects – An Ecological Perspective

Research Focus: The Evolutionary Ecology Lab at NISER is seeking a motivated researcher to investigate the complex relationships between insect hosts and their gut microbiota. The project adopts an ecological lens to explore how these microbial communities influence host fitness, adaptation, and response to environmental shifts.

Required Expertise: The ideal candidate should possess a strong background in one or more of the following areas:

Microbiology & Environmental Microbiology: Experience in microbial culturing, community analysis, and ecological sampling.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Hands-on experience with library preparation and sequencing technologies.
Bioinformatics: Proficiency in R (specifically packages like DADA2 or phyloseq) for metagenomics pipelines and complex data visualization.
Theoretical Ecology: Understanding of community assembly, symbiotic interactions, and evolutionary drivers of biodiversity.

Application Details:

Detailed Advertisement: Please refer to the official NISER recruitment PDF for eligibility, fellowship terms, and application procedures: Official Advertisement (PDF)
Inquiries: Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Rittik Deb directly at debrittik@niser.ac.in for informal inquiries regarding the project scope.

Internship opportunity (long-term dissertation - Understanding the impact of the Anthropocene on biodiversity) (https://www.niser.ac.in/storage/notices/2026/academic/SBS-DissertationProgramme2026Summer.pdf)

Read the bottom of this page before applying

Lab Golden Rules

In this lab, collaboration isn’t optional, it’s the air we breathe. Share your ideas, your tricks, and your troubleshooting woes — science is a team sport, not a solo act.
A tidy bench is a happy bench. If you take something out, put it back. If you finish the last of a reagent, restock it or flag it. If something breaks, don’t hide it — report it.
Our insect cultures are not just research subjects, they’re the heartbeat of our work. Their care is everyone’s responsibility, every single day.
Integrity is our currency. Record data honestly, design experiments carefully, and welcome critique with open arms. Rigor beats shortcuts every time.
The field is our second lab, and the same rules apply: respect the site, respect the permits, respect each other. Collect data, not injuries, and leave the place as you found it.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to respect — for your colleagues, for the organisms we study, for the spaces we share, and for the science we’re building together.

So You Want to Do a PhD in Eco‑Evolutionary Chaos?

Welcome to the intersection of ecology, evolution, and microbiomes — where hosts and microbes co‑adapt, stressors rewrite the rules, and diversity is both the puzzle and the prize. We’re a small team, which means you won’t get lost in the crowd (but you also won’t get away with hiding in the corner).

If you’re genuinely curious about how organisms — from insects to their microbial sidekicks — cope with rapid change, you’ll fit right in.

Most importantly, send us an email that sounds like you. We’d much rather get to know the person behind the application than read another “Dear Sir/Madam” template. If you’re just sending a copy‑paste email, well… let’s just say evolution favors originality. If you’re serious about learning and contributing, we’re serious about welcoming you.

Update: Think of us as a logistic curve: the early exponential phase was fun, but we’ve hit the asymptote. Immigration pressure won’t change the math.

Heh! You Still Want to Intern in this Chaos?

Here’s the deal: internships with us aren’t about helping in insect cultures or alphabetising sample tubes. They’re about joining our field teams, pitching in on real projects, and sometimes even taking the lead on a small piece of the work. You’ll get your boots dirty, your notebook messy, and your brain buzzing with the kind of questions that keep ecologists awake at night.

We welcome motivated students from inside and outside NISER, but motivation is the keyword here. If you’re genuinely curious and ready to contribute, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to learn. If you’re just firing off a copy‑paste request, well… evolution tends to select against that strategy.

A quick reality check: What we provide is mentorship, experience, and the chance to be part of research that spans hosts, microbes, and the wild spaces they inhabit. If you’ve got a skill — whether it’s field savvy, coding chops, or an uncanny knack for keeping insects calm — tell us about it.

Apply here.

Update: Science isn’t instant noodles — real flavor takes time. That’s why we prefer interns who simmer with us for a summer or half a semester, not just a quick dip.

Page updated

Report abuse