SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH BOARD (SERB)

Department of Science & Technology, Government of India

Call for application for

SERB Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship: 2015-16

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body under the
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India is launching SERB
Overseas Postdoctoral fellowship (SERB-OPDF). The Program aims to build
national capacity in frontier areas of Science and Engineering, which are of
interest to India by providing postdoctoral fellowship for a period of one year
extendable to one more year subject to good performance. The applicant should
have completed PhD degree in science and engineering not earlier than the
preceding two years from recognized institutions in India. For researchers who
are in regular employment, the 2 years period may be relaxed. The Program
admits candidates in *identified areas and sends them to top institutions around
the globe, other than USA and also to institutions where internationally acclaimed
scientists are working. The applicant should himself/herself correspond with the
proposed host institution abroad for their postdoctoral work. He/she is required to
produce evidence, in the form of a letter of acceptance from the host institution
along with merits/uniqueness of the host institute in the proposed area.

*Identified areas:
Materials, Energy, Sustainable Chemistry, Quantum Computing and Spintronics,
Complex systems, Theoretical Mathematical Science, Big Data,
Mechanobiology / Physical Biology, Bio-energy, Genetic to Physiology, Mental
Health, High Performance Computation in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and
Mathematics, Humanoid Robotics, Cognitive Science, Mechnotronics, Advanced
Manufacturing, Cyber security, Encryption and decryption, Petroleum and Petro-
Chemical Engineering, Science of Climate Change, Glaciology, Modeling,
Imaging, Algorithms and Combinatorial Optimizations

Application for support to undertake overseas postdoctoral fellowship in

Institutions located in various countries other than USA on a competitive mode is
sought from the eligible researchers.  Indo-US Science and Technology Forum
(IUSSTF) will make a separate call for US specific institutions. IUSSTF can be
reached at www.iusstf.org.

The format, guidelines and other details of the SERB-OPDF Program are
available at www.serb.gov.in and www.dst.gov.in. The last date of receiving the
application is 31st December 2015.

Three (3) copies of the application, in the prescribed format, neatly typed on A-4
size paper, should be submitted to SERB in the following address:

Programme Coordinator, Overseas PDF

Science and Engineering Research Board
5 & 5A, Lower Ground Floor
Vasant Square Mall
Sector-B, Pocket-5
Vasant Kunj
New Delhi-110070

A softcopy of the proposal complete in all respect should also be mailed to:
opdf@serb.gov.in

The envelope containing the proposal should be superscribed with “SERB

Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship: 2015-16”
SERB
2015-16

SERB Overseas 
Postdoctoral 
Fellowship
F

Science & Engineering Research 
Board
Department of Science & Technology
Government of India
New Delhi
 SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH BOARD (SERB)
SERB Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship

Science   and   Engineering   Research   Board   (SERB),   a   Statutory   body   under   the 
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India is launching  SERB  
Overseas Postdoctoral fellowship (SERB­OPDF).

The Program aims to build national capacity in frontier areas of Science, which are 
of interest to India by providing postdoctoral fellowship for a period of one year 
extendable  to  one  more  year  subject  to  satisfactory  performance.  The  applicant 
should have completed PhD degree in science and engineering not earlier than the 
preceding two years from recognized institutions in India.  For researchers who are 
in regular employment, the 2 year period may be relaxed. The Program admits 
candidates in identified areas and sends them to top institutions around the globe, 
other   than   USA   and   and   also   to   institutions   where   internationally   acclaimed 
scientists are working. The applicant should himself/herself correspond with the 
proposed host institution abroad for their postdoctoral work. He/she is required to 
produce evidence, in the form of a letter of acceptance from the host institution 
along with merits/uniqueness of that host institute in the proposed area.

Application  for  support  to  undertake  overseas  postdoctoral  research  in  overseas 
countries   other   than   USA   on   a   competitive   mode   is   sought   from   the   eligible 
researchers.

OBJECTIVES

1. To build national capacity in frontier areas of Science, which are of interest to India 
by providing postdoctoral fellowship for a period one year, which is extendable to 
one more year on good progress of research. 
2. To tap the expertise gained by these young scientists to strengthen/initiate national 
programmes in their domain knowledge. 

ELIGIBILITY

1. The scheme is open to Indian nationals only.
2. Should have completed PhD degree in science and engineering not earlier 
than  the  preceding  two  years  from  recognized  institutions  in  India.    For 
researchers  who   are   in   regular   employment,   the   2   years   period   may   be 
relaxed; however, the age should not exceed 35 years.
3. Offer letter from the overseas host institution (Other than USA).

Selection

The   selection   would   be   made   among   students   who   gained   admission   to 
postdoctoral program in overseas institutions.    The research should be undertaken 
in one or more of the following disciplines:

Materials,   Energy,   Sustainable   Chemistry,   Quantum   Computing   and   Spintronics,  

Complex   systems,   Theoretical   Mathematical   Science,   Big   Data,   Mechanobiology   /  
Physical   Biology,   Bio­energy,   Genetic   to   Physiology,   Mental   Health,   High  
Performance   Computation   in   Physics,   Chemistry,   Biology   and   Mathematics,  
Humanoid   Robotics,   Cognitive   Science,   Mechnotronics,   Advanced   Manufacturing,  
Cyber   security,   Encryption   and   decryption,   Petroleum   and   Petro­Chemical  
Engineering, Science of Climate Change, Glaciology, Modeling, Imaging, Algorithms  
and Combinatorial Optimizations

The candidate will be required to submit a research proposal in above mentioned 
area that he/she would be undertaking in the postdoctoral study. The Board will 
constitute a selection committee to select the candidates.
Bond

The selected fellows should execute a bond stating that the fellowship would be 
treated as a grant­in­aid if the fellows return to India after successful completion or 
else it will be treated as a loan to fellows who do not come back or discontinue the 
course in midway. Penal interest will also be levied on such candidates.

Fellowship

The selected fellows will be paid a monthly fellowship amount equivalent to US $ 
3000, and one time Contingency / Preparatory allowances of Rs.60,000/­ to cover 
visa fee, airport transfer charges, insurance etc.

The selected fellows will be provided shortest route economy class air fare and from 
their place of work in India to the place of the host institute and back. 

GUIDELINES 

1. The   application   for   consideration   under   the  SERB   Overseas   Postdoctoral  

Fellowship Program (SERB OPDF)  can be submitted only when the call for 
application is made.
2. The application should be prepared and submitted strictly according to the 
formats prescribed in this document (Annexure I).
3. The duration of the fellowship is for a period of one year with the possibility 
of extension for one more year subject to good performance. Application for 
such extension should reach SERB Office well in advance accompanied by 
reports from the host justifying the extension of the fellowship. No extension 
is possible beyond two years. Fellowship for less than six months will not be 
 entertained.  However,  in  exceptional  cases  fellowship  for  shorter  periods 
may also be considered. 
4. For   scientists  in  regular  employment,  rules  governing  payment  of   salary, 
leave,   medical,   gratuity,   GPF   and   pension   etc.   of   the   organization/ 
institution/  university  to   which  the   fellow  belongs  would  continue  to   be 
applicable. No liability on any of these accounts will be borne by SERB.
5. The candidates selected for the award of the fellowship should commence 
their research in the overseas institution within three months from the date 
of   the   offer   letter,   and   if   not,   the   offer   will   be   automatically   stands 
withdrawn and no correspondence will be entertained thereafter.
6. Application  from  researcher  in  regular  employment  should   be   forwarded 
through   the   head   of   organization/   department   where   the   applicant   is 
employed.
7. The candidate should also submit a letter of approval of research plan from 
the host.
8. Copy of acceptance letter from host institution.
9. Please make sure to quote the registration number/ letter number (given by 
SERB) in all your future communications.
10. The information should be given under each section, even if it is Nil.
11. The candidates may submit 3 copies of the application printed on both the 
sides of A4 size paper and send to the Program Coordinator.

 Programme Coordinator, Overseas PDF
Science and Engineering Research Board
5 & 5A, Lower Ground Floor
Vasant Square Mall
Sector­B, Pocket­5
Vasant Kunj
New Delhi­110070

This call is specifically for inviting applications for Postdoctoral research at

Institutions located in countries other than USA. Indo-US Science and
Technology Forum (IUSSTF) will make a separate call for US specific
institutions. IUSSTF can be reached at www.iusstf.org.
A   softcopy   of   the   proposal   complete   in   all   respect   should   also   be   mailed   to: 
opdf@serb.gov.in

The   envelope   containing   the   proposal   should   be   superscribed   with   “SERB  

Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship: 2015­16”

Annexure I

FORMATS FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION 
(To be filled by applicant) 
SERB Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship: 2015­16

1. Name of Applicant:

2. Designation:

3. Department:

4. Institute Name:

5. Address:

6. Address for correspondence, if not employed:

7. Date of Birth and Age: Sex (M/F):

8. Whether belong to SC/ST/OBC/General:

9. Telephone: Fax: Mobile: e­mail:

10. Employment [Do you hold a regular position in your institute? (Yes/No)]: 

11. Academic qualifications (from degree level):

Name of the  Name of the  Year of  Subjects taken Div., % of 

Degree/Diploma Institution passing marks
12. Details and nature of present and previous employment:

(Positions held, employer/place of work, duration, area/nature of work)

13. Honours and awards received
14. Broad area of research:

15. Specific area of research (from the list of identified areas):

16. Name of the host:

17. Host institution and Address:

18. Expertise of the host in the chosen area and significance of the host institution:

19. Proposed duration of the fellowship (in months):

20. Brief summary of your current areas of research:

21. Details of proposed research work (not more than 4 pages) which should 

include Objectives, Work plan, how the proposed work will make an impact in 

the specified area and the mutual scientific benefit to be accrued

22. State any other relevant aspects in the application which may be useful for the 

reviewer to make a qualitative judgment on the application

23. Details of international fellowships availed during the last three years:

24. Details of financial support sought from SERB and support/fellowship expected 

/ committed from other sources

25. Detailed Bio­data of the applicant including
Name, Address, Date of Birth, Religion/Caste, Institution’s Address etc.
Academic Qualifications (University /College from where attained, year of 
passing, class, Thesis title etc.)
Publications list (Title of paper, authors, Journal details, pages, year etc.)
Patent list, if any
List of Projects implemented
Details of Research Projects being implemented/ completed/ submitted by the 
Investigator including Name of the Institute
(Not more than 4 pages)

26. Name of two referees with their address

27. Any other relevant matter.

Date:
Place:                                                            Name and Signature of the applicant
                                    (Name in Block Letters)
 STATEMENT FROM THE CURRENT EMPLOYER (FOR EMPLOYED 
APPLICANTS)

(This   should   be   given   on   the  official   letter­head  of   the   parent 

institution/organization in the following format: 

This is to certify that this institution has no objection for considering the application 
for SERB Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship from Mr./Ms./Dr……………………….. 
employee in the ……………(name  of the department/institute/  organization)  for 
Postdoctoral   research   in   the   area   of……….………………to   be   held 
at……………………………..for the duration of……………months. 

If the fellowship is awarded to him/her, Mr./Ms./Dr…………………will be relieved 
from …………....(name  of the institute/organization)  duties for said period from 
the   date   of   his/her   joining   for   research   fellowship   under   SERB   Overseas 
Postdoctoral     Fellowship   Programme.   During   this   period,   the   continuity   of 
employment on the post presently held by him/her would continue to be applicable 
and   rules   governing   payment   of   salary   (basic   pay   and   all   allowances),   leave, 
medical   benefits,   gratuity,   GPF,   GIS,   and   pension   etc.   would   continue   to   be 
applicable   during   the   entire   period   of   fellowship   and   he/she   will   join   his/her 
present post on completion of tenure of his/her fellowship. 

Date:

Place:                                                            Name and Signature of Head of 
Institution
                                    (Name in Block Letters)
                                                                       Phone No.
                                                                       
         e­mail:
CHECK LIST (DOCUMENTS/ ENCLOSURES REQUIRED)

ITEM

a) Filled in application (Annexure – I)
b) Bio­data of the candidate
c) Letter of acceptance from host institution
d) Letter of acceptance of research plan by the host
e) Statement from the employer (For employed applicant)
f)  Summary of the applicant