ZSI Chennai Recruitment 2026 – Apply by Email for 4 Junior & Senior Research Fellow Posts (Temporary)

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Southern Regional Centre, Chennai, has invited applications for four purely temporary posts under the Long Term Ecological Observatories (Arthropods) project. Three posts are for Junior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Junior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified), and one is for Senior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Senior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified). Applications close on 25 November 2026.

ZSI Junior Research Fellow Bharti 2026 covers 3 posts across six LTEO sites in India and 1 senior post in Chennai. The official notice PDF of Advt. No. ZSI/LTEO/2026/01 dated 05.11.2026 is available on the ZSI website. Selected candidates will work under the Officer-in-Charge of the Southern Regional Centre and must travel to field locations for data collection.

Candidates apply only by email. Convert the filled form and all certificates into one PDF and send it to lteozsi@gmail.com on or before 25 November 2026. Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview by email or speed post. No application fee is mentioned in the notice.

⚠️ Application Alerts: check these before you submit the form.

• Applications received after 25 November 2026 are summarily rejected.
• Incomplete forms are summarily rejected.
• Canvassing in any form disqualifies the applicant.
• The assignment is purely temporary and co-terminus with the project.

📋 Official Source Chain: where the facts in this article were confirmed.

• Official notice: Advertisement No. ZSI/LTEO/2026/01, dated 05.11.2026 — ZSI LTEO Project Positions Bilingual Notice 2026 (PDF)
• Official application route: Email only to lteozsi@gmail.com as a single PDF
• Official updates page: Zoological Survey of India Official Website
• Last checked: 14 November 2026, 03:47 PM IST

Also Read: IIT Guwahati Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 1 Field Engineer Post (4-month project)

Who Should Apply? (Quick Eligibility Check)

• Junior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Junior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified): M.Sc. in Zoology, Wildlife Biology or Biodiversity with at least 65% marks or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale. CSIR-NET/GATE is required for the Research Fellow designation and higher fellowships. Desirable: knowledge of sampling, data collection, taxonomy and ecology of arthropods. Age not more than 28 years. – 3 seats
• Senior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Senior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified): M.Sc. in Zoology, Wildlife Biology or Biodiversity with at least 65% marks or CGPA of 6.5, plus two years’ experience in data curation, data analysis, GIS, remote sensing and species distribution modelling with research publications. CSIR-NET/GATE is required for the Research Fellow designation and higher fellowships. Desirable: proficiency in statistical GIS software. Age not more than 32 years. – 1 seat

Important Dates

Quick Overview – ZSI Junior & Senior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

• Organisation: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Southern Regional Centre, Chennai
• Sector: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• Recruitment / Exam Name: Long Term Ecological Observatories (Arthropods) Project Positions
• Notification / Advertisement No.: ZSI/LTEO/2026/01
• Post(s): Junior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Junior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified); Senior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Senior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified)
• Total Vacancies: 4 (2 designations)
• Job Location: Junior posts: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Central India, Gujarat, Western Himalaya, Eastern Himalaya, Andaman Islands; Senior post: Chennai
• Job Type / Nature: Central Govt (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) · Temporary, purely temporary and co-terminus with the project
• Fellowship: ₹37,000 + HRA (JRF NET), ₹25,000 + HRA (JPF non-NET), ₹42,000 + HRA (SRF NET), ₹28,000 + HRA (SPF non-NET)
• Contract Duration: Initial appointment for one year, with possibility of reappointment based on field and laboratory performance; co-terminus with the project
• Apply Between: Not stated to 25 November 2026
• Notification PDF: ZSI LTEO Project Positions Bilingual Notice 2026 (PDF)
• Send Application To: lteozsi@gmail.com (single PDF addressed to The Officer-in-Charge, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, #130, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028)
• Official Portal: Zoological Survey of India Official Website

What Posts Are Available? – ZSI Junior & Senior Research Fellow Vacancy 2026

Four purely temporary posts are available under the Long Term Ecological Observatories (Arthropods) project.

No category-wise reservation breakup is printed in the advertisement.

What Does Each Post Involve?

• Junior Research Fellow / Junior Project Fellow: Conduct novel research on long-term ecological monitoring of arthropods in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at LTEO sites across India using integrated approaches. Work covers community ecology, stream ecology, GIS and remotely sensed data, molecular studies, and responses to environmental stresses in the context of global change. Work locations: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Central India, Gujarat, Western Himalaya, Eastern Himalaya, Andaman Islands.
• Senior Research Fellow / Senior Project Fellow: Maintain, curate and analyse data collected from LTEO sites using relevant statistical techniques and GIS. Prepare scientific and technical reports and manuscripts. Work location: Chennai.

Who Is Eligible for ZSI Junior & Senior Research Fellow 2026? – Education, Age & Domicile

Nationality, Domicile & Basic Requirements

• Nationality: Not specified in the notice.
• Domicile / local condition: The notice states no domicile or residence condition.

Educational Qualification

• Junior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Junior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified): M.Sc. in Zoology/Wildlife Biology/Biodiversity with at least 65% marks or CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale, and CSIR-NET/GATE (for Research Fellow designation). Desirable: knowledge of sampling, data collection, taxonomy and ecology of arthropods.
• Senior Research Fellow (NET/GATE Qualified) or Senior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified): M.Sc. in Zoology/Wildlife Biology/Biodiversity with at least 65% marks or CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale, with two years’ experience in data curation, data analysis, GIS, remote sensing and species distribution modelling with research publications. Desirable: proficiency in statistical GIS software for biodiversity data analysis and species distribution modelling.
• Qualification must be held by: Not stated in the notice.
• Minimum marks: At least 65% marks or CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale.
• Need to convert CGPA? Use our CGPA to Percentage Calculator. This calculator gives an indicative estimate; the official method in the notification prevails.
• Count your experience up to the cut-off date with our Experience Calculator.

What Is the Age Limit?

No specific age cut-off date is printed. The notice does not print numeric relaxation years.

Examples:

• ✅ A 27-year-old candidate born on 1 January 1999 — eligible for Junior posts (age not more than 28 years).
• ❌ A 29-year-old candidate born on 1 January 1997 — not eligible for Junior posts (one full year over the limit).

Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.

Reservation & PwBD Suitability

• Reservation: No category-wise reservation breakdown is printed. Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/Women/PD candidates as per Government of India norms.
• PwBD: Age relaxation as per Government of India norms. No suitability list is printed.

What Is the Junior & Senior Research Fellow Fellowship? – Monthly Fellowship

Fellowship is paid as printed, plus HRA as per Government rules.

• Junior Research Fellow (CSIR-UGC NET qualified): ₹37,000 + HRA per month.
• Junior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified): ₹25,000 + HRA per month.
• Senior Research Fellow (CSIR-UGC NET qualified): ₹42,000 + HRA per month.
• Senior Project Fellow (NET/GATE non-qualified): ₹28,000 + HRA per month.

The notice does not print other allowances, leave rules or pension.

What Is the Application Fee?

No application fee is mentioned in the notification.

How to Apply for ZSI Junior & Senior Research Fellow 2026?

1. Download the application form from the ZSI LTEO Project Positions Bilingual Notice 2026 (PDF), fill it, affix a recent self-attested photograph, and enclose self-attested copies of educational certificates, mark sheets, experience documents, Aadhaar, address proof and NOC (if employed).
2. Convert the completed form and all enclosures into a single PDF file.
3. Email the PDF to lteozsi@gmail.com by 25 November 2026, addressed to The Officer-in-Charge, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, #130, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending the application after 25 November 2026.
• Submitting an incomplete form or multiple PDFs instead of one file.
• Forgetting the NOC if currently employed.
• Using the wrong email address (the printed address is lteozsi@gmail.com).
• Not self-attesting the photograph and certificates.

What Can Get Your Application Rejected?

ZSI Chennai வேலைவாய்ப்பு 2026 – 4 காலிப்பணியிடங்கள்

இந்திய விலங்கியல் ஆய்வு மையம் (Zoological Survey of India), தெற்கு மண்டல மையம், சென்னை, Long Term Ecological Observatories (Arthropods) திட்டத்தின் கீழ் 4 தற்காலிக பதவிகளுக்கு விண்ணப்பங்களை அழைக்கிறது. கடைசி தேதி 25 நவம்பர் 2026.

கடைசி தேதி எப்போது?
விண்ணப்பங்களை 25 நவம்பர் 2026 அல்லது அதற்கு முன் மின்னஞ்சல் மூலம் அனுப்ப வேண்டும். தாமதமாக வரும் விண்ணப்பங்கள் நிராகரிக்கப்படும்.

யார் விண்ணப்பிக்கலாம்?
ஜூனியர் பதவிக்கு Zoology, Wildlife Biology அல்லது Biodiversity-ல் M.Sc. மற்றும் 65% அல்லது CGPA 6.5 தேவை. சீனியர் பதவிக்கு இரண்டு ஆண்டு அனுபவமும் தேவை. வயது வரம்பு ஜூனியருக்கு 28, சீனியருக்கு 32.

விண்ணப்பம் எப்படி செய்வது?
படிவத்தை நிரப்பி, சான்றிதழ்களுடன் ஒரே PDF-ஆக மாற்றி lteozsi@gmail.com-க்கு அனுப்பவும். அதிகாரப்பூர்வ இணையதளம்: zsi.gov.in.

சம்பளம் மற்றும் தேர்வு எப்படி?
ஃபெலோஷிப் ₹25,000 முதல் ₹42,000 + HRA வரை. தேர்வு தகுதியின் அடிப்படையில் ஷார்ட்லிஸ்ட் செய்து நேர்காணல் மூலம் நடக்கும்.

அதிகாரப்பூர்வ இணையதளம்: Zoological Survey of India

How Are Candidates Selected?

1. Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their qualifications and experience.
2. Shortlisted candidates are informed through email or speed post to appear before an interview committee.
3. Original certificates are produced for verification at the time of interview.

No written examination is mentioned in the notice. No interview marks, shortlist ratio or tie-break is printed.

The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst's Take – Is This Recruitment for You?

Four temporary project posts under a national ecological monitoring programme give early-career zoologists field experience across six distinct Indian landscapes, but the work ends when the project ends. The three junior posts together offer more field exposure than the single Chennai-based senior role, which focuses on data curation and manuscript writing. With only four seats and an email-only route, a complete single-PDF application by 25 November is the practical filter.

Best fit: M.Sc. holders in Zoology, Wildlife Biology or Biodiversity who already have CSIR-NET/GATE (for the higher fellowship) or relevant arthropod sampling and GIS experience, and who can travel to remote LTEO sites.

Skip if you need a permanent government post or cannot relocate for field data collection.

Practical tip: Convert every certificate, the filled form and the self-attested photo into one PDF before emailing to lteozsi@gmail.com; incomplete or multi-file submissions are summarily rejected.

Also Read: MIT Manipal Recruitment 2026 – Apply by Email for Research Associate Post (Project Tenure)

What Documents Are Required?

At Application

• Duly filled application form with a recent self-attested photograph.
• Self-attested copies of educational certificates, mark sheets of all examinations, degree certificates, and Transfer Certificate.
• Proof of date of birth.
• Copies of Aadhaar card and address proof.
• Evidence of experience (for Senior posts) and research publications.
• No Objection Certificate from present employer (if employed).

At Document Verification / Joining

• Original certificates for verification at the interview.

⚠️ Document Alert Specific to This Recruitment

• All certificates must be self-attested; the photograph must also be self-attested.
• The entire application and enclosures must be converted into a single PDF.

What Are the Contract Terms & Conditions?

• The assignment is purely temporary in nature and co-terminus with the project.
• Initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of reappointment based on performance in the field and laboratory.
• Selected candidates work under the supervision of the Officer-in-Charge, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Chennai, and must travel to different field locations for data collection.
• No claim to regular employment is stated.

What Happens After Selection?

1. Shortlisted candidates appear before an interview committee.
2. Original certificates are verified at the interview.
3. Selected candidates join under the Officer-in-Charge for the project period.

✅ Confirmed: interview call by email or speed post; document verification at interview.
❓ Not specified: exact joining timeline, medical examination or training period.

General Instructions & Important Rules

• All positions are full-time.
• Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/Women/Physically Challenged applicants as per Government of India rules.
• Original certificates must be produced at the interview.
• The Director reserves the right to reject any candidature for incomplete information or any other reason.

Contact & Helpline

The 5 November 2026 advertisement does not print a recruitment helpline or email beyond the application address. Check the Zoological Survey of India Official Website for updates. Correspondence address: The Officer-in-Charge, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, #130, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028.

⚠️ Contact details are from the official notification/website. Verify before contacting. Never pay money to anyone offering job assistance. Report fraud at cybercrime.gov.in.

Important Links – ZSI Junior & Senior Research Fellow Notification 2026

FAQs – ZSI Junior & Senior Research Fellow 2026

What is the last date to apply for ZSI Junior & Senior Research Fellow 2026?

25 November 2026. Applications received after this date are summarily rejected. No extension has been announced as of 14 November 2026.

What is the age limit for ZSI Junior Research Fellow?

Not more than 28 years for the Junior posts and not more than 32 years for the Senior post. SC/ST/OBC/Women/PD candidates get age relaxation as per Government of India norms. The notice does not print a date for calculating age.

Is there an exam for ZSI Junior Research Fellow, or is it interview-based?

It is interview-based. Candidates are shortlisted on qualifications and experience, then called for an interview. No written examination is mentioned.

What is the Junior Research Fellow fellowship in ZSI 2026?

₹37,000 + HRA per month for CSIR-UGC NET qualified candidates and ₹25,000 + HRA for non-NET/GATE candidates. Senior posts receive ₹42,000 + HRA or ₹28,000 + HRA, respectively.

Can final-year students apply for this recruitment?

Not mentioned in the notification. The notice requires the M.Sc. qualification but does not state whether final-year students may apply.

Is this Junior Research Fellow post a permanent government job?

No — a purely temporary project engagement, co-terminus with the Long Term Ecological Observatories (Arthropods) project, not a permanent post. Initial appointment is for one year with possible reappointment based on performance.

Can candidates from other states apply?

Yes. The notice states no domicile or residence condition.

Where will selected candidates be posted?

Junior posts: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Central India, Gujarat, Western Himalaya, Eastern Himalaya or Andaman Islands. Senior post: Chennai. Field travel for data collection is required.

What is the official website for ZSI recruitment?

The official website is the Zoological Survey of India.

Do I need CSIR-NET or GATE for these posts?

Yes, for the Research Fellow designation and higher fellowship (₹37,000 or ₹42,000 + HRA). Without NET/GATE you may apply as a Project Fellow at the lower fellowship.

Before You Apply: Quick Self-Check

• You understand this is a fixed-term temporary engagement co-terminus with the project, not a permanent post.
• You accept the fellowship (₹25,000–₹42,000 + HRA) and the field-travel requirement for Junior posts.
• You have read the extension and temporary clauses.
• You meet the age condition printed in the notice and qualify.
• You meet the condition that decides this recruitment: M.Sc. with the stated marks or CGPA, plus experience and publications for the Senior post.
• You can produce every document and certificate the notice requires at verification.
• You are ready for the selection stage that applies to your post: shortlisting followed by an interview.
• You accept the posting terms: field sites for Junior posts or Chennai for the Senior post.

📄 Primary source: Advertisement No. ZSI/LTEO/2026/01, Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, dated 05.11.2026 (linked under Important Links). Recruitment facts above come from that notice; tips and estimates are labelled where they appear.