1. Introduction

For serious research scholars from Assam, opportunities like this do not come often. While most Assam government recruitments revolve around clerical, teaching, or administrative posts, this Post-Doctoral Fellow position at Cotton University is a high-level academic and international research opportunity tied to the India-Japan LOTUS Programme.

This is not a mass recruitment. It is a single, highly specialised position, meant for candidates who have already invested years in doctoral research and now want international exposure, financial stability, and academic credibility-without leaving Assam’s institutional ecosystem entirely.

If you are a Ph.D. holder from Assam or the North-East struggling to find structured post-doctoral funding, this notification deserves careful attention.

2. Key Details (Verified from Official Notification)

ParticularsDetails
Recruiting InstitutionCotton University, Guwahati
Post NamePost-Doctoral Fellow
Number of Vacancies01
Mode of ApplicationOffline (Email submission)
Last Date to Apply02 February 2026
Fellowship Amount240,000 Japanese Yen per month
Funding SchemeIndia-Japan LOTUS Programme
Tenure1 year (extendable, subject to conditions)
Age LimitNot mentioned in official notification
Application FeeNot mentioned in official notification

3. Post-Wise Eligibility - What It Means in Reality

Essential Qualification (Non-Negotiable):

  • Ph.D. awarded within the last 3 years from the date of advertisement.
  • Core specialisation must be in:
    • Atmospheric Physics
    • Atmospheric Science
    • Meteorology
    • Or a closely related discipline

This automatically excludes:

  • Ph.D. holders outside climate/atmospheric domains
  • Candidates whose Ph.D. was awarded more than 3 years ago

Desirable (But Practically Crucial):

  • Experience in national or international research projects
  • Hands-on work with:
    • Climate variability
    • Hydrometeorological extremes
    • Cloud-precipitation processes
  • Proficiency in:
    • Atmospheric datasets (reanalysis, satellite, observational)
    • Numerical and statistical tools

Assam Context Insight:
This post is academically open to candidates across India, but local candidates with prior exposure to Assam’s climate systems, monsoon behaviour, or North-East meteorology will naturally stand out during evaluation.

4. How to Apply - Assam-Focused Walkthrough

This is not an online form. Application is document-driven and email-based.

Documents Required:

  1. Updated CV (academic format, not job CV)
  2. Brief statement of research interests
  3. Copy of Ph.D. certificate
  4. List of publications

Submission Method:

  • Email all documents to the Centre for Clouds and Climate Change Research (C4R), Cotton University
  • Email ID is provided in the official notification PDF

Common Mistakes Assam Candidates Make:

  • Sending incomplete CVs without publication links
  • Writing generic research statements instead of domain-specific ones
  • Forgetting to mention LOTUS Programme alignment
  • Using large file sizes that fail email delivery

No caste certificate, PRC, or residency document is mentioned or required for this post.

5. Fellowship, Growth & Career Outlook

Fellowship Amount:
240,000 Japanese Yen per month (as per LOTUS Programme norms)

In practical terms, this is significantly higher than most Indian post-doctoral fellowships, but:

  • The amount is governed by the funding agency
  • Continuation depends on LOTUS Programme approval

Career Value in Assam:

  • Strong academic credential for future:
    • Assistant Professor roles
    • International research grants
    • Central university positions
  • Enhances credibility within Assam’s growing climate research ecosystem

This is not a permanent government job, but it carries long-term academic weight.

6. Preparation Strategy (Not an Exam, But Still Competitive)

There is no written exam, but competition is academic, not numerical.

Focus areas before applying:

  • Clearly align your Ph.D. work with atmospheric/climate themes
  • Highlight data analysis skills
  • Be ready for technical discussions if shortlisted
  • Understand LOTUS Programme objectives

Candidates from Assam often underestimate the importance of research narrative clarity-this matters more than marks or degrees here.

7. Pros & Cons (Honest Assessment)

Pros

  • Internationally funded fellowship
  • High monthly stipend
  • Association with Cotton University and Japan-backed programme
  • Ideal for serious climate researchers from Assam

Cons

  • Only 1 vacancy
  • Highly specialised eligibility
  • Not a permanent position
  • Selection depends on external fellowship approval

8. Applicant Checklist (Before You Apply)

  • Ph.D. awarded within last 3 years ✔
  • Domain strictly aligned with atmospheric/climate science ✔
  • Research statement tailored to C4R and LOTUS Programme ✔
  • All documents combined and properly named ✔
  • Email sent well before deadline ✔

If any of these are missing, do not apply casually-this is a quality-driven selection.

9. Conclusion - Apply or Skip?

You should apply confidently if:

  • You are a recent Ph.D. in atmospheric or climate sciences
  • You want international exposure without leaving Assam’s academic ecosystem
  • You understand that this is research-focused, not a routine government job

You should skip this notification if:

  • Your Ph.D. is unrelated
  • You are seeking a permanent Assam government post
  • You are not prepared for high-level academic evaluation

This is a niche opportunity-but for the right candidate from Assam, it can be career-defining.

10. FAQs (Based on Real Assam Aspirant Doubts)

Q1. Is Assam domicile required?
No. Not mentioned in the official notification.

Q2. Is there any age limit?
Not mentioned. Eligibility is based on Ph.D. award date.

Q3. Is this a permanent job?
No. It is a post-doctoral fellowship with a fixed tenure.

Q4. Can final-year Ph.D. scholars apply?
No. Ph.D. must be awarded.

Q5. Is this similar to APSC or SLRC recruitment?
No. This is an academic research position, not a state service exam.