Ph.D. Program at inStem

inStem offers an exciting Ph. D. program designed to train its research students in the fundamentals and translational applications of stem cell science. This program comprises features that will position its students to make internationally recognized discoveries and be competitive for positions in this field anywhere in the world. The backbone of the institute is the dynamic Ph.D. program. The unique theme-based organization of inStem drives the collaborative training and mentorship program that allows students to work with top scientists within and across the themes and gain experience working in an interdisciplinary environment.

inStem Ph.D. program is highly competitive with a rigorous selection process. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission to the program is a Bachelor's degree for the integrated Ph.D. program or a Master's degree for the Ph.D. program. Bachelor's or master's degrees can be in any basic science discipline. In addition, candidates should have qualified for national-level entrance exams. Upon documented fulfilment of these requirements, candidates can request an application package for the next phase of the selection procedure. Performance in the written test and the information requested in the application package are used to short-list candidates for interviews. The students selected after the interviews are registered at Regional Center for Biotechnology (RCB), an Institute of national Importance established by the Department of Biotechnology under the support of UNESCO and recognized through a special act of the Indian Parliament. Registration at RCB is contingent on clearing the coursework requirement and comprehensive examination, which tests students on the fundamental concepts of biology and their ability to frame research questions and methodology.

The students at instem are accessible to state of art technologies and world class facilities (https://www.instem.res.in/facilities/research) including the stem cell core animal care and resource center, central imaging and flowcyometery, mass spectrometry, next generation sequencing and cryo-electron microscopy facilities. Students on the campus are also provided with comfortable housing and an in-house canteen facility with subsidised prices (https://www.instem.res.in/people/campus-life-health-wellbeing). Students on campus are exposed to a range of seminars, conferences, and hands-on workshops in various fields of biology. This allows them to interact with eminent researchers from universities/institutes within and outside India. The students are encouraged to participate in the national and international meetings with solid effort made by the institute to support their travel. inStem offers extensive coursework designed to train students in new techniques and ways of thinking.

Scientific programs at inStem are multidisciplinary ranging from single molecules to model systems with major focus on stem cells. Students are encouraged to interact with other laboratories on the campus to establish collaborations to learn new techniques and ferment new ideas. Instem is committed to provide all the resources and amenities for the students in their pursuit for scientific excellency and the campus thrives to build on their accomplishments.

Summer Research Fellowship at inStem

The inStem Summer Research Fellowship program, started in 2024, places students with faculty members at inStem for a 10-week long internship. The program provides an intensive research experience for students preparing to pursue their PhD in Life Sciences. Students participate in individualized projects in a research lab at inStem which will enhance their experimental skills and prepares them to articulate a research problem and design experiments to tackle novel questions. The program also provides students an immersive experience of an academic research environment which will allow them to envisage the rigor and discipline required for a PhD degree. This is the first year of the fellowship program and we are excited to open our doors to students from across the country, striving for diversity and inclusivity. Students selected under this program will have the opportunity to work under several verticals of research at inStem.

Program duration: It is a mandatory 10-week program and the students have to adhere to this timeline

Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled in the B.Sc., M.Sc., B. Tech., M. Tech degree programs in India are eligible to apply. Students who have completed their degree program prior to the start of the internship are not eligible to apply. Although students with Life Sciences background are the primary target of this program, we encourage students in diverse disciplines like chemistry, physics and mathematics to apply.

Multiple criteria based on the overall academic performance, research interest, research fit in inStem, space and availability, reference letters and suitability of the candidate will be considered.

Fellowship: selected students may receive a stipend, subject to availability of funds.

Postdoctoral Opportunities at NCBS/inStem

Attracting the best postdoctoral scientists to a vibrant research environment

inStem has a small but vibrant program for researchers who have a PhD degree. We seek to enhance this program substantially. The purpose of the research program is to bring the best young scientists to a stimulating intellectual environment where the best facilities are available. We expect that this will result in excellent science and the opportunity for maturing to move on to independent positions in the best places in India and abroad.

There are several funding modes for these postdoctoral programs. These programs do not lead to a continuing appointment and have a fixed maximum term. Applicants will be expected to identify a host laboratory and submit a preliminary application written in conjunction with the host faculty member.

Appointments on all funding modes – regardless of the source of support – will be renewed on a yearly basis and will be contingent on continued support by the host laboratory at NCBS. Renewals will be recommended by the Postdoctoral Committee, which will base its assessment on the Annual Work Report provided by the Fellow, the Annual Work Seminar and independent assessments provided by the laboratory head and one other member of the Faculty at NCBS or member of the Postdoctoral Committee. If a Fellow’s performance does not meet the scientific standards at NCBS, the institute reserves the right to end the fellow’s appointment regardless of the source of funding.