After completion of your bachelors or masters in pharmacy, you may have a question that how to make research career? How to get research experience because in industry most of them are asking about experience candidates? How to get good salary in R&D?
If you are getting direct research opportunities in industry then there was never been a difficulty but believe me this is not always a case.
Well, it was never difficult to start your career in research and development after pharmacy. As, you may aware that there are many fellowships offered by government through which you can start research career in many premier research organization or institutes. Through these fellowships pharmacy graduates or post graduates can opt in R&D and this experience will leverage your potential in industry or academics.
Also, be aware that in forthcoming time, it will be must to have Ph.D degree for higher level job posts in research as well as academics. And again these fellowships extend your chance to get Ph.D because they are making you eligible to get stipend while you pursue your Ph.D.
Pharmacy professionals are eligible for different entrances and fellowships which include GPAT, CSIR-NET, JRF-GATE, Senior Research Fellowships, research Associates, Nehru Science Postdoctoral research Fellowship, Interships etc.
GPAT
Want to go for higher studies like M.Pharm? Then, GRADUATE PHARMACY APTITUDE TEST (GPAT) is a most common option. Most of the pharma professionals are opt in for this entrance exam.
GPAT is a national level entrance examination for entry into M.Pharm programmes. Till 2018, it was conducted by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) every year as per the directions of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. The Test will now be conducted by the NTA.
This test facilitates institutions to select suitable Pharmacy graduates for admission into the Master's (M.Pharm) program. The GPAT is a three hour computer based online test which is conducted in a single session. The GPAT score is accepted by all AICTE
Approved Institutions/University Departments/Constituent Colleges/Affiliated Colleges. A few scholarships and other financial assistance in the field of Pharmacy are also given on the basis of the GPAT score.
GPAT scorecard is also eligible for admission in PhD in any university of India.
CSIR-NET
CSIR has scheduled the Joint CSIR-UGC Test for determining the eligibility of Indian Nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and for determining eligibility for appointment as Lecturer (LS) in the areas of Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences. The award of Junior Research Fellowship to the successful eligible candidates will depend on their finding admission/placement in a University/ National laboratory/ Institution of higher learning and research, as applicable.
B.Pharma with at least 55% marks for General (UR) and OBC candidates and 50% for SC/ST, Persons with Disability (PwD) are eligible for Joint CSIR-UGC National EligibilityTest (NET) for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for Lectureship (LS). Apart from B.Pharm, M.Sc or equivalent degree/ Integrated BS-MS/BS-4 years/BE/BTech/MBBS are also eligible for CSIR-NET.
Stipend: The stipend of a JRF selected through CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) will be Rs 31,000/ p.m for the first two years. In addition, annual contingent grant of Rs. 20,000/- per fellow will be provided to the University / Institution. The Fellowship will be governed by terms and conditions of CSIR, UGC or Research Scheme, as applicable.
SRF-NET: On Completion of two years as JRF and if the fellow is registered for PhD, the fellowship will be upgraded to SRF (NET) and the stipend will be increased to Rs. 35,000/- p.m for the 3rd and subsequent years, on the basis of assessment of Fellows’ research progress/ achievements through interview by an Expert Committee consisting of the Guide, Head of the Department and External Member from outside the University/ Institution who is an expert in the relevant field, not below the rank of Professor/ Associate Professor.
GATE
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an examination conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and the seven Indian Institutes of Technology (at Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India.
Eligibility: B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Pharm. Bachelor’s degree holders in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Engineering/Technology). Currently in the final year or already completed
Stipend: To avail the financial assistance (scholarship/assistantship), the candidate must first secure the admission to a program in one of the central government supported institutes, by a procedure that could vary from institute to institute. Depending upon the norms adopted by a specific institute or department of the institute, a candidate may be admitted directly into a course based on: his/her performance in GATE only; or based on his/her performance in GATE and an admission test/interview conducted by the department to which he/she has applied and/or the candidate’s academic record. In the test/interview based selection procedure, as per the MHRD guidelines, a minimum of 70% weightage will be given to the performance in GATE and the remaining will be given to the candidate’s performance in test/interview and/or academic record. However, the admitting institutes could prescribe a minimum passing marks in the test/interview.
One can take admission in IITs, IISc, NITs and other private institutes through GATE scorecard.
JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (JRF) – GATE
The main objective of JRF-GATE is to promote academic excellence in CSIR labs and to generate high level science, the scheme is aimed at GATE qualified engineering graduates and GPAT qualified pharmaceutical graduates to pursue research through a suitable PhD programme in AcSIR or in any other institution. These fellowships are tenable only at CSIR laboratories and JRFs selected under this scheme will have excellent opportunity to work with CSIR Scientists with state-of-art R&D facilities.
Candidates with B.Pharm degree and having qualified GPAT Or Candidates with B.Tech in Biotechnology with valid GATE score and subject to securing a minimum 85.00 percentile in GATE are eligible for JRF-GATE.
Selection of JRF-GATE will be done by CSIR laboratories by following selection procedure guidelines of advertising and interview by Committee duly constituted by the Director.
No candidate should be offered fellowship under JRF-GATE scheme without prior approval from HRDG (CSIR).
Stipend: The stipend of a JRF-GATE will be Rs 31,000/ p.m for the first two years. In addition, annual contingent grant of Rs. 20,000/-per fellow will be provided to the University / Institution.
On Completion of two years as JRF-GATE, the fellowship will be upgraded to SRF (GATE) and the stipend will be increased to Rs. 35,000/- p.m for the 3rd and subsequent years, on the basis of assessment of Fellows’ research progress/ achievements through interview by an Expert Committee.
A Research Fellow on the recommendation of Guide, and provided that his/her University/ Institute has no objection, may be permitted by CSIR to take up temporary paid lectureship / research job in a recognized R&D Institution / University, College / Institute of repute / Recognized R & D Institution / PDF studies in India & abroad for a period not exceeding one year during the entire tenure of the Fellowship (JRF & SRF together).
Senior Research Fellowships (SRF-Direct)
The CSIR Fellowships/Associateships are tenable in Universities/IITs/Post-Graduate Colleges/Government Research Establishments including those of CSIR, R&D establishments of recognized public or private sector, industrial firms and other recognized institutions. However, CSIR reserves the right to determine the place best suited to provide necessary facilities in the area of science and technology in which the awardee is to specialize.
Eligibility : BPharm / BVSc / BSc(Ag) or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks and one publication in SCI Journal and should have completed at least three years research experience; OR MPharm/MVSc/MSc(Ag) or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks and one publication in SCI Journal and should have at least one year research experience.
OR
MSc/BE/BTech or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks and one publication in SCI Journal and should have completed at least two years of post MSc/BE/BTech research experience; OR MTech/ME or equivalent degree in engineering/technology with at least 60% marks; OR BE/BTech or equivalent degree with at least 60% marks and two years research experience as on the last date of application; OR MBBS/BDS or equivalent with at least 60% marks and one year internship;
STIPEND: A SRF-DIRECT in a science/engineering/medical & pharmaceutical, veterinary discipline is entitled to a stipend of Rs. 35,000/- pm for the entire tenure of fellowship.
Research Associates
The CSIR Fellowships/Associateships are tenable in Universities/IITs/Post-Graduate Colleges/Government Research Establishments including those of CSIR, R&D establishments of recognized public or private sector, industrial firms and other recognized institutions. However, CSIR reserves the right to determine the place best suited to provide necessary facilities in the area of science and technology in which the awardee is to specialize.
The CSIR Fellowships / Associatships are tenable in India. Only bonafide Indian citizens, residing in India are eligible for the award of research Fellowship/Associateships. The programme is aimed at National Human Resource Development for S&T.
The award of CSIR Fellowship / Associateships is for fixed tenure and does not imply any assurance or guarantee for subsequent employment by CSIR to the beneficiary. The authority to award / terminate vests with CSIR. The awardee shall not lay claim to permanent absorption in CSIR, after the expiry of Fellowship / Associateship.
Eligibility: Ph.D. (in a science or engineering subject) or MD/MS/MDS (in medical science subject) or ME/MTech/MPharm/MVSc with three years R&D experience as on the last date of application, evidenced from RAship or associateship or from date of registration of
PhD.
PhD (science/engineering) thesis submitted are also eligible for RA’ship. Selection in such cases will be subject to the condition that PhD viva-voce done & declared qualified for award of PhD/awarded PhD degree before the expiry of the validity of the award offer.
The candidate applying for Research Associateship must have at least one research publication in standard refereed journal as listed in Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
STIPEND: The consolidated stipend of RA will be Rs.47,000/- (fixed) or Rs.49,000/- (fixed) or Rs.54,000/- (fixed). The stipend may normally be fixed at Rs.47,000/-. However, a selected RA may be placed in the higher stipend if there is ample justification and such recommendation is made by the discipline wise Selection Committee and approved by DG, CSIR.
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIP (Scientists’ Pool Scheme)
The Senior Research Associateship (SRA ship) is primarily meant to provide temporary placement to highly qualified Indian scientists, engineers, technologists, and medical personnel returning from abroad,who are not holding any employment in India. Persons, who have not been abroad and possess outstanding academic record and have not been able to secure regular employment, are also eligible for selection. Bonafide Indian citizens only are eligible to apply.
Eligibility: Minimum qualification is Fresh PhD or thesis submitted in Pharmaceutics
Academic score of at least 55% marks in BPharm plus MPharm or equivalent plus two publications in SCI listed journal. Or Academic score of at least 60% marks in BPharm plus MPharm or equivalent plus one publication in SCI listed Journal.
Emolument: The basic pay of a Senior Research Associate is fixed between Rs.21000 and Rs.25810per month, depending upon qualifications, experience, research publications, and performance in the interview. In addition, he/she is entitled to the allowances (excluding Transport Allowance) admissible to employees of CSIR. The basic pay fixed is final. No revision thereof is possible. No annual increment is allowed to a Senior Research Associate.
Nehru Science Postdoctoral research Fellowship
CSIR-Nehru Science Postdoctoral research Fellowship Scheme has been instituted to identify promising young researchers with innovative ideas and provide them with training and research opportunities in niche areas of basic science, engineering, medicine and agriculture. The scheme aims at facilitating their transition from mentored to independent research career. CSIR intends to offer one hundred (100) such fellowships every year to promising fresh PhD holders for working in CSIR laboratories with state-of-art R&D facilities.
Eligibility: PhD degree holders within three years of award of PhD degree, or those who have submitted PhD theses. Applicants who are about to submit thesis are also eligible to apply, but, their selection will be subject to the condition that they would have submitted thesis before the expiry of the validity of the award offer. Applicants should have research publications in high impact factor SCI journals. Though CSIR Nehru Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is open to Indian nationals, Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), a certain number (up to 20%) of fellowships may be offered to foreign nationals.
Remuneration: CSIR Nehru Science Postdoctoral Fellows will be paid a consolidated fellowship of Indian Rs. 65,000/- per month plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as admissible and a contingency grant of Rs. 3.0 lakh per annum. 25% of the contingency grant can be used for domestic and international travel including per diem expenses.
Diamond Jubilee Research Interns Awards
The Internship is meant to be preparatory phase for young Interns imbibing the spirit of enquiry and learning the tools and techniques of research through participation and doing. The scheme thus seeks for young interns to gain from the knowledge and experience of accomplished scientists by working with them; To work on modern/state-of-art R&D facilities; To imbibe the spirit of R&D by jostling with role models; To develop capabilities in R&D related issues such as IP management, research planning and marketing of knowledge, S&T HRD, information products, etc; To take up science as a career; An opportunity for inter-laboratory training in research in transdisciplinary area of science.
ELIGIBILITY: Applicant for the award should be: Bachelor’s degree holder in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture/ Pharmacy OR Master’s degree holder in any branch of science OR MBBS degree holder
TENURE OF THE INTERNSHIP & STIPEND: The Internship shall be tenable for a maximum period of two years from the date of joining and not extendable under any circumstances. The Internship carries a consolidated stipend of Rs. 24000/- per month. No other allowance shall be payable to the Interns. Intern’s continuation in the scheme shall be reviewed every six months. In case the performance is not satisfactory, the Internship may be terminated with one month’s notice or one month’s stipend in lieu thereof without assigning any reason. The Intern may also terminate the Internship before the expiry of the tenure by giving one month’s notice. The Intern shall have no claim for further extension, absorption or regularization in CSIR after the expiry/termination of the Internship. During the Internship period, the Interns would be free to appear NET/GATE and secure regular fellowship for doing PhD.
The number of Interns in a lab or in CSIR (Hqrs.) at any time, taken separately, shall not exceed 30 (thirty).
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