Welcome to the comprehensive job description for the Post Doctoral Researcher position at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). This detailed guide provides all necessary information about the recruitment opportunity, including organizational details, eligibility criteria, responsibilities, salary, application process, and important links to assist qualified candidates in preparing their applications successfully.
IIT Madras Post Doctoral Researcher Recruitment 2026
Overview of the Position
This is a prestigious research opportunity offered by IIT Madras, situated within the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR), FedEx SMART Center, under the Department of Management Studies. The role is focused on advancing research in India’s logistics and air cargo ecosystem, encompassing policy, operational strategies, and supply chain management.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) |
| Office/Centre | Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR), FedEx SMART Center |
| Department | Department of Management Studies |
| Position Title | Post Doctoral Researcher |
| Vacancies | 1 |
| Location | Chennai – 600 036, Tamil Nadu |
| Nature of Position | Temporary / Research-based |
| Initial Duration | 6 months (Extendable based on performance) |
| Salary Range | Rs. 65,000/- to Rs. 1,15,000/- per month |
| Advertisement Number | ICSR/PR/Advt.12/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 16-Feb-2026 |
| Posting Date | 03-Feb-2026 |
Position Details and Focus Area
The selected candidate will join as a Post Doctoral Researcher at the FedEx SMART Center with a focus on India’s logistics and air cargo ecosystem. The research work will analyze policy, regulation, infrastructure, and operational challenges relevant to India’s transportation and logistics sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive research on India’s logistics and air cargo ecosystem, including policy, regulatory, and operational dimensions.
- Analyze national and international policies related to air cargo, transshipment, and logistics infrastructure development.
- Develop research frameworks to study supply chain resilience, optimization strategies, and logistical policies.
- Contribute to research publications, policy briefs, and technical reports.
- Collaborate with the FedEx SMART Center team and research partners from academia and industry.
- Support data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of research findings.
- Prepare presentations, technical documentation, and research papers for dissemination.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications (Essential)
The candidate must hold a Ph.D. (Doctorate) in one of the following disciplines or closely related fields:
- Economics
- International Trade
- Public Administration
- Management Studies
- Logistics
- Supply Chain Management
- Ports and Shipping Logistics
- Transport Planning
- Civil Engineering
- Infrastructure Management
- Operations Research
Special Note: Candidates who have submitted their doctoral thesis or are about to submit and are awaiting their defense are also encouraged to apply. However, the completion of the PhD is mandatory by the time of appointment.
Technical & Domain Proficiency Required
The candidate should possess:
- A strong understanding of India’s logistics and air cargo ecosystem, including policy and operational aspects.
- Ability to analyze and interpret policies governing air cargo and logistics infrastructure.
- Knowledge of supply chain principles, management practices, and logistics operations.
- Research experience in logistics, supply chain, or related fields.
- Proficiency in research methodologies, data analysis, and statistical tools.
- Excellent communication skills, including technical writing and presentation abilities.
- Familiarity with logistics data analytics tools is advantageous.
Desirable Qualifications
- Research publications in peer-reviewed journals related to logistics or policy.
- Experience with the air cargo industry or port operations.
- Knowledge of India’s logistics policy framework.
- Experience with statistical software such as SPSS, R, or Python.
- Previous research experience in academia or industry settings.
- Understanding of FedEx operations and global logistics networks (plus).
Salary and Compensation Details
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Salary | Rs. 65,000/- to Rs. 1,15,000/- |
| Salary Basis | Based on educational qualifications, research experience, and performance |
Note: The exact remuneration within the provided range will be determined during the selection process, considering the candidate’s educational background, research output, and overall experience.
Employment Terms and Duration
This is a temporary and research-focused position with the following features:
- Initial employment duration: 6 months
- Extension possible based on performance and project requirements
- Contract-based position with no guarantee of permanent employment
- Selected candidates must be available to join immediately or within a specified short timeframe
Extension and renewal of the appointment are subject to performance, funding availability, and research needs.
Selection Process
- Screening of applications based on CV, qualifications, and research experience
- Shortlisting of eligible candidates with strong research credentials
- Technical interview assessing research background, logistics expertise, and India’s logistics ecosystem knowledge
- Potential presentation of research proposals or previous work
- Final selection by the selection committee
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should prepare the following documents:
- Comprehensive CV (3–4 pages) including:
- PhD completion status and dissertation title
- Educational background with dates
- Research experience and projects undertaken
- List of publications
- Conference presentations and awards
- Technical skills and areas of expertise
- References and contact details
- Research Statement (1–2 pages) covering:
- Your research interests in logistics and supply chain management
- Alignment with FedEx SMART Center’s focus
- Your perspective on India’s air cargo ecosystem
- Copies of:
- PhD certificate or thesis submission proof
- Published research papers (if available)
- 2–3 reference letters (preferably from academic supervisors)
Application Submission Options:
- Send the consolidated application as a single PDF via email to the designated email address (if provided)
- Apply online through the official portal: https://icsrstaff.iitm.ac.in/
Important Instructions
- PhD must be completed or thesis submitted with defense scheduled before appointment.
- All information provided must be accurate and verifiable.
- Research publications will be highly valued during selection.
- Candidates with domain-specific research experience preferred.
- This is a contractual position with no guarantee of long-term employment.
- Immediate or short-term availability is required for the selected candidate.
- Background checks and medical examinations may be conducted.
- IIT Madras reserves the right to modify or cancel the recruitment process.
Official Notification and Application Links
For detailed information and to view the official notification, click the links below:
Additional Resources
Candidates can visit the official website for further updates and detailed guidelines: IIT Madras ICSR Website