Ph. D. Advertisement Varsha 2025

Applications are invited from highly motivated students for admission to the Ph. D. programs of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) in the Schools of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Data Sciences, Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences (EESS), and in the centres of Advanced Materials Research with International Engagement (CAMRIE) and High-Performance Computing (CHPC) for the session starting from August 2025, i.e., Varsha 2025 semester. Candidates are required to apply through the online portal only. The online application portal will be open from 1st April 2025 at (https://admissions.iisertvm.ac.in/phd/index.php/applicant/register/17)

General Eligibility Criteria

(For School- or Centre-specific eligibility criteria, see the tables below)

1. 6.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale (or first-class equivalent) or first class in Master’s program in a relevant discipline as declared by the respective university for General/OBC-NCL candidates and a minimum of 50% marks (or a CGPA of 5.5 in the 10-point scale) for SC/ST and PwD candidates. (BE/BTech degree in relevant specialization is admissible for select areas of research in the School of Physics (see Research Areas))
2. The candidate must have qualified at least one of the following examinations national level: CSIR-UGC NET or UGC NET (Category I or II or III), GATE and other national-level examinations as specified in the document with validity as on 01 August 2025. (see School specific Eligibility Criteria for other national-level examinations considered for the selection).
3. BS-MS/MSc/Integrated MSc students from any of the IISERs/IITs/IISc with a CGPA of 8 or above on a 10-point scale are exempted from national level test eligibility related criteria.

Schoolwise Research Areas

Biological Sciences

• Biophysics and Biochemistry
  • https://www.bandanchakrabortty.com/
  • https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/natesh/
  • https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/sshameer
  • https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/vijayjayaraman
  • http://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/tmanna
• Cell and Molecular Biology
  • https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/natesh/
  • https://facultynishantkt.wixsite.com/gsllab
  • http://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/tmanna
  • https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/nssingh
• Ecology & Evolution
  • https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/beelab/
  • https://www.vanasiri.in/
  • https://www.yashrajchavhan.com/
• Genetics and Development
  • https://facultynishantkt.wixsite.com/gsllab
  • https://stemcelldevlab.wixsite.com/khuranalab
  • https://amruthaswaminathan.wixsite.com/molneurodev
  • https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/nssingh
• Infection and Immunity
  • https://licbgit.github.io/licb-website/index.html
  • https://kamalakannanvijaya.wixsite.com/laboratory-of-parasi
  • https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/sandhya-lab
  • https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/natesh/
  • https://www.virology-scientific-research-laboratory-iisertvm.com
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish-kumar-phd-3bb16122/
• Host-Pathogen Interaction
  • https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/sandhya-lab
  • https://www.virology-scientific-research-laboratory-iisertvm.com
  • https://kamalakannanvijaya.wixsite.com/laboratory-of-parasi
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish-kumar-phd-3bb16122/
• Neurobiology
  • https://nishankannan.wixsite.com/cblab
  • https://amruthaswaminathan.wixsite.com/molneurodev
  • https://sites.google.com/view/thakurlab/home
• Plant Biology
  • https://www.bandanchakrabortty.com/
  • https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/sshameer
  • https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3862-9587
• Theoretical & Computational Biology
  • https://www.bandanchakrabortty.com/
  • https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/natesh/
  • https://facultynishantkt.wixsite.com/gsllab
  • https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/sshameer
  • https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/vijayjayaraman
  • https://www.yashrajchavhan.com/

Chemical Sciences

• Bio-inorganic Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry https://skunduchem.wixsite.com/skgroup
• Biomaterials, Nanoparticles-Immune Cells Interactions https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/rkurapati
• p-Block Chemistry: Bond Activation, Catalysis https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/raviyadav/research-area
• Catalysis for Sustainable Organic Synthesis https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/bsgroup/home
• Catalysis, Organic Synthesis, Coupling Reactions http://www.rameshrasappan.com
• Electrocatalysis for Energy Conversion and Biomass Valorisation https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/muthukrishnan
• Main Group Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis https://www.maingroupchemistrylab.com/
• Macrocycles Synthesis for Chemical Sensors and Helically chiral Molecular Systems https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/gokul/selected_publications
• Materials Chemistry for Sustainable Energy https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/thiru/research
• Medicinal chemistry, Organic synthesis, Computational drug, discovery, Chemical biology https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/ayanmukherjee
• Metabolic chemistry, Mass spectrometry, Chemical biology, Organic chemistry https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/metachem-lab/
• d-Block Organometallic Chemistry, Small molecule activation, development of molecular catalysts for hydrogenation https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/ramarajayyappan/research-interests
• Natural Products Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Asymmetric Catalysis and Synthesis https://grrgroupwebsite.wixsite.com/grr-lab
• Radical Chemistry in Organic Synthesis https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/reddy
• NMR Spectroscopy, Biochemistry, Biophysics https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/vinesh
• Photochemistry and Photophysics; Crystalline Organic Materials https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/mahesh
• Quantum Cluster, Cluster-Assembly and Metal-Organic Framework Materials https://mandalresearchgroup.wixsite.com/home
• Semiconductor Quantum Dots, Metal Nanoparticle, Light-Induced Processes https://www.kgtlab.in
• Soft-Materials and Interfaces, Charge Transport in Bio/Molecular Systems https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/jerryfereiro
• Supramolecular Chemistry, DNA nanotechnology, Cancer therapy https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/reji
• Supramolecular Chemistry, Host-Guest Chemistry, Molecular Switches and Machines https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/soumen-de-lab/home
• Supramolecular Chemistry, Polymers, Organic Chemistry https://kms514.wixsite.com/kmsgroup
• Catalysis and Synthetic Methods for Organic Synthesis, C–H Functionalization, and Asymmetric Synthesis https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/alagiri
• Theoretical and Computational Chemistry https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/siva
• Theoretical Chemistry, Computational Materials Science https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/swathi
• Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (Non-Quantum), Chemical Physics, biological physics https://sites.google.com/view/pushpita-ghosh/home
• Ultrafast Nonlinear Spectroscopy https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/adithya

Data Sciences

• Machine/Deep Learning, 5G/6G Networking and Communication, Edge/Cloud Orchestration, Internet-of-Things, Distributed Machine/Deep Learning (Federated and Gossip Learning), Smart Applications https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/mainak
• Artificial Intelligence/Deep Learning B5G/6G Wireless Networking and Communication, Network Slicing, Edge/Fog/ Cloud computing, Internet-of-Things, Next generation intelligent transportation system, Federated-Sparse Learning, Drone and vehicular Communication Network https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=xbBml1sAAAAJ&hl=en
• Deep Generative Machine Learning, Biomedical/Clinical Data Science, Multi-model data integration, Manifold learning, Deep Reinforcement Learning https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/sbej
• Dependence modelling using Copula, Mathematical Theory of Reliability, Stochastic Degradation modelling, Applied Statistics https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/shyamal
• Design and analysis of Cluster Randomized Trials, Survival Analysis, Reliability Theory, Applied Statistics https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/priyanka
• Computer Vision, Deep Learning applications to Medical Imaging, Computational Imaging, Biomedical Data Science, Spatial Data Science https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/rajisusanmathew
• Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Emotion Recognition, Intelligent Systems, Image Processing, Signal Processing, and Classification Systems Using Machine Learning Models https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/alwinpoulosepalatty
• Theoretical Computer Science: Algorithms and Complexity, Graph Algorithms, Graph Theory and Combinatorics https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/dhanyamolantony

Mathematical Sciences

• Algebra and Geometry: Commutative Algebra, Algebraic Geometry, Differential Geometry, Category Theory.
• Applied and Computational Mathematics: Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Optimization and Optimal Control of PDEs, Mathematical Biology, Financial Engineering, Data Science and Machine Learning
• Analysis and Applied Analysis: Complex Dynamics and Ergodic Theory, Linear Algebra and Matrix Analysis, Functional Analysis, Harmonic Analysis (Theory and Computational), Nonlinear Analysis, Elliptic Partial Differential Equations

Physical Sciences

Experimental Physics

• (*) Supercapacitors, Solid-state lithium batteries, Atomically thin layered nanomaterials for energy conversion http://shaijumon.iisertvm.ac.in
• Superconductivity, quantum materials, energy materials https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/quemat
• Physics of semiconductor devices (solar cells, light emitting diodes, transistors, memory, bioelectronic) based on quantum/Organic/perovskite/2D materials using various optical and electrical spectroscopy techniques.
• Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy of 2D Nano-materials https://rajeevkini.iisertvm.ac.in/
• Nonlinear optics, frequency combs, microwave photonics, Photonic quantum computing
• (*) Biomedical Instrumentation and Imaging, Development of Light Sheet Microscopy (LSM) or Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (SPIM) imaging system; Development of photacoustic imaging (PAI) system - both microscopy and tomography https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=CGKTXz0AAAAJ&hl=en; https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/suhesh.kumar
• (*) Sustainable neuromorphic electronics https://bikas.iisertvm.ac.in/
• (*) Advanced semiconductor devices for power / energyconversion https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/guru
• (*) Quantum materials (Topological materials and Van de Waals hetero-structures), Spintonics (Multiferroics) and Device Physics https://www.fmdlab.in/
• (*) Ultrafast molecular dynamics, Generation of attosecond pulse train. https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/krishnendugope
• (*) Quantum dot spin-qubits, 2D superconducting circuits https://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/qtran/
• Metasurfaces for nanoscale light-matter interaction and light beam shaping , design, fabrication, and optical characterization.
• Microthermoelectric and nano-sensor devices

Theoretical Physics

• Condensed matter theory: Quantum materials, Magnetism and Spintronics https://sites.google.com/view/souvikpaul-cmslab
• Beyond Standard Model of Particle Physics, Baryon Number Violation, Dark Matter https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/mathewthomas or https://inspirehep.net/authors/1413667
• Statistical field theory, Non-equilibrium physics
• Theoretical cosmology and Analysis of Cosmological and Astrophysical datasets
• Beyond the standard model of particle physics, Colliderphenomenology
• Quantum information theory, Quantum materials (theory) and Quantum limited sending and metrology

(*) BE/BTECH candidates are eligible for selected areas marked with asterisk

Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences

• Hydrology and flood Modelling, Atmospheric/Climate Modelling https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/prasanth
• Tropical meteorology and Monsoon Dynamics https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/vishnu
• Atmospheric aerosols, Atmospheric propagation and boundary layer https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/anandn
• Cloud Physics https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/pramitha
• Igneous petrology and Geochemistry https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/ashutp
• Structural geology, rheology, tectonics: https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/subhajitghosh
• Geochemistry, Paleoclimatic reconstruction https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/fousiya
• Stable isotope tracers in precipitation https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/fousiya
• Hydro-geochemistry,Tracing contamination https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/manojkumr

Centrewise Research Areas and Eligibility

CAMRIE (Centre of Advanced Materials Research with International Engagement)

CHPC Centre of High-Performance Computing

School/Centre wise Selection Procedure

Biological Sciences

It is mandatory for a candidate to submit a short “Statement of Purpose” of 300-400 words, based on a research area the candidate finds interesting. While applying online, the proposal has to be uploaded under the section “Statement of Purpose (SOP)”. The proposal need not be related to the research ongoing at the School of Biology, IISER TVM. Short-listed candidates will have to appear for interviews conducted by IISER TVM in hybrid mode. There will be two rounds of interviews. The first round of interviews will be conducted online. Candidates who are shortlisted further for the final round of interviews will have to appear in person at IISER TVM campus. The final selection of candidates will solely be based on the performance during the interviews.

Chemical Sciences

Marks and Ranks (CSIR-JRF/UGC-JRF/GATE) based shortlisting and interview in person.

Mathematical Sciences

Candidates meeting all the eligibility criteria will be further shortlisted and be called for offline interviews at IISER TVM.

Physical Sciences

During the application process, the candidates will be asked to enter one of the choices among 1) Theoretical, 2) Experimental. The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend interviews conducted in online mode.

Data Sciences

During the application process, a candidate will be asked to select one or more choices of the research areas for the School of Data Science based on her/his qualifications. The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend interviews which will be conducted in in hybrid mode at IISER TVM.

Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences

Applications will be shortlisted based on marks, scores/ranks in national level exams and other relevant academic parameters. The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend interviews which will be conducted in hybrid mode at IISER TVM.

CAMRIE

During the application process, a candidate will be asked to select one or more choices of the research area for the centre based on her/his qualification. The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend interviews which will be conducted in hybrid mode at IISER TVM.

CHPC

During the application process, a candidate will be asked to select one or more choices of the research area for the centre based on her/his qualification. The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend interviews which will be conducted in hybrid mode at IISER TVM.

Important Dates

General Information and Application Procedure

1. Applicants should complete the online application form at the url: ( https://admissions.iisertvm.ac.in/phd/index.php/applicant/register/17 ).
2. Only applications complete in all respects would be considered. Do not forget to click the “Submit” button after completing your application.
3. Applicants will also be prompted to upload all the supporting documents online.
4. Applicants should provide Name/Affiliation/Contact number and Email addresses of two referees in the application form.
5. Applicants belonging to GEN/OBC and SC/ST/PH categories are required to make a payment of Rs. 500/- and Rs. 250/-, respectively, as a processing fee online through the application portal.
6. On submission of the online application form, the applicants will receive an acknowledgement email with a unique application number.
7. Applicants are NOT required to post a hard copy of the application to IISER TVM.
8. In case of any application-related queries, please contact the Ph.D. coordinator by email at: phdprogramme@iisertvm.ac.in. Any other mode of communication will not be entertained.
9. Mere fulfilment of the eligibility criteria does not entitle a candidate to be called for the interview.
10. Relaxation for reserved categories to the eligibility criteria will be applicable as per Government of India rules for General Eligibility Criteria 1 and 2.