ICTS

International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (ICTS-TIFR), Bengaluru hosts a vibrant in-house postdoctoral program. Founded in 2007, ICTS is a new initiative in Indian science. It is conceived to contribute to the growth of excellence in the basic sciences through its programs, interactions and cross-fertilization between disciplines. ICTS provides a platform and infrastructure to organize various activities in theoretical natural sciences and mathematics.

ICTS has an active in-house research program. Current research spans the following broad areas: Complex systems: Nonlinear dynamics and Data assimilation, Statistical physics, Fluid dynamics and turbulence, Condensed matter physics, Biological Physics; Space-time physics: String theory and Quantum field theory, Astrophysical relativity; Mathematics: Differential geometry, Mathematical physics, Dynamical systems, Data assimilation, Monsoon dynamics, Analysis of partial differential equations and applications. Other areas under active consideration are cosmology, multiscale and complex systems including interfaces with theoretical biology, computer science and computational sciences with a strong interface to other research areas at ICTS.

ICTS invites applications for various postdoctoral positions twice every year, once in summer and then in fall. Outstanding applicants may be considered for a special Postdoctoral Prize Fellowship: Ashok & Gita Vaish Postdoctoral Fellowship that provides a fellowship enhancement along with additional support for travel and research expenses.

Interested candidates should apply online.

Important Information

• Selection of candidates under this hiring cycle will be subject to the availability of funding.

• This hiring cycle will also provide selected candidates with an opportunity to apply for the ANRF National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) in the subsequent application cycle. Candidates selected by ICTS may be considered for institutional endorsement, subject to the availability of a faculty mentor at ICTS-TIFR. If the N-PDF application is successful, ICTS-TIFR would be pleased to host the candidate as a Postdoctoral Fellow for the duration of the fellowship tenure. Please note that the N-PDF applicant must be an Indian citizen. More details are available at https://anrfonline.in/ANRF/npdf.

• Additionally, ICTS will offer the remaining 1 special postdoctoral position supported by the Targeted Simons Research Group  on Cosmic Magnetism, in the area of Astrophysics and Relativity.The positions will focus on the origin, evolution, and dynamics of magnetic fields in astrophysical and cosmological systems. The expected start date is August 1, 2027. The selected postdocs will be part of an International Simons Collaboration, with opportunities for interaction across participating institutions. The appointments will be for up to three years, renewable annually based on academic review. Applicants should apply through the regular ICTS postdoctoral application portal for the fall cycle and indicate their interest in the Simons Collaboration on Cosmic Magnetism positions in their cover letter or research statement. For scientific queries, please contact pallavi.bhat@icts.res.in.

• Applications are also invited for the CALIBRE (AI in Biology) Postdoctoral Fellowship, supporting interdisciplinary research at the interface of artificial intelligence, computational science, and biology. The fellowship is for two years, extendable to a third year based on academic review, with opportunities to engage in research, teaching, workshops, and outreach. Fellows will receive a monthly fellowship of up to Rs. 1,25,000 and research/travel support of up to Rs. 3,00,000 per year. Applicants should indicate their interest in CALIBRE by ticking the question “Would you like to be considered under the CALIBRE Postdoctoral Fellowship” in the application portal and mentioning their interest in CALIBRE in their cover letter or research statement.

Duration of fellowships: Initial appointments will be for a period of two years, which may be renewable for the third year in exceptional cases after an academic review.

Fellowship and benefits are as per the norms stipulated by the grant/funding agency.

How to apply: Interested candidates can apply online with their CV, list of publications, a research proposal (not more than two pages) and a covering letter. The applicants also need to arrange at least two recommendation letters for this position.

Candidates can also apply through Academic Jobs Online at AJO Application Link.

The nominal starting date of 1st September 2027 is negotiable.

As per the Institute's rule, the candidate must have a PhD degree at the time of joining.

Housing Rent Allowance: The postdoctoral fellows are eligible for ICTS accommodation (on/off campus) or compensation towards Housing Rent Allowance (HRA) as per current norms.

Medical Benefits: The postdoctoral fellows will be entitled to medical benefits as per current norms.

Research facilities: ICTS offers access to high-performance computing facilities, an in-house library and to most scientific journals. Support for travel for participation in important international meetings is also available. Postdoctoral fellows will also have opportunities to participate in the teaching of graduate courses at ICTS.

Apart from the regular faculty members, ICTS has an extended associate faculty actively involved in the research and program activities. ICTS organizes around 10–25 programs every year, on diverse topics not restricted to the research interests of the ICTS faculty. The Centre also has an extensive visitor program. Research groups at ICTS are part of, amongst others, the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, Indian Initiative in Gravitational-Wave Observations, Mathematics and Climate Research Network, Indo-French Center for Applied Mathematics, etc. click here for more information.

Important links

• Research at ICTS
• Upcoming ICTS Programs
• ​Bangalore (Wikipedia)