Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF) Programme

Assam Agricultural University offers the Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF) Programme to provide advanced research, training, and limited teaching opportunities to scholars who have already obtained a doctoral degree.

The programme is designed to help post-doctoral researchers significantly enhance their academic, analytical, and research capabilities, preparing them for distinguished careers in academia, specialized research institutes, industry, or public policy.

A Post-Doctoral Fellow normally works on an approved research project or thematic research area under the guidance of an eligible, pre-approved faculty Mentor. The scholar may join the programme at any time during the academic session upon approval by the competent University authority.

Every Post-Doctoral Fellow conducts investigations under the active mentorship of an eligible AAU faculty member. To ensure highest academic rigor, a faculty member serving as a Mentor must fulfill the following mandatory qualifications:

• Service Seniority: Completed at least three years of service in the rank of Associate Professor or equivalent.
• Doctoral Supervision Experience: Guided at least two Ph.D. scholars to degree completion as Major Adviser.
• Recent Scientific Productivity: Published at least three research papers in indexed journals during the preceding three years.

Upon formally joining the programme, the Fellow participates in a structured institutional orientation covering University policies, laboratory safety, administrative procedures, and available infrastructure.

Depending upon the nature and specialization of the research proposal, the Fellow may also undergo intensive specialized training in methodologies, instrumentation techniques, bioinformatics, data analytics, or biotechnological approaches essential to the approved research theme.

The PDF Programme is essentially a full-time research engagement. Candidates may pursue the programme under one of two operational frameworks:

• Sponsored Fellowship: Funded through competitive national or international research grants (e.g., SERB-NPDF, ICAR, DBT, CSIR, UGC, or external industry partnerships). The duration, fellowship stipend, and contingency funds are governed strictly by the terms and sanctions of the sponsoring agency.
• Self-Financed Research: Undertaken by eligible self-supporting researchers upon formal approval of the research proposal, department facilities, and Mentor.

The overall tenure is determined according to the volume and scope of research and the funding window granted by the sponsor.

The Post-Doctoral Fellow is attached to the concerned academic Department and Mentor for carrying out full-time research investigations in the approved area.

Performance Assessment Committee (PAC)

The research progress of the Fellow is periodically monitored and evaluated by a dedicated Performance Assessment Committee (PAC) constituted as follows:

Upon concluding the fellowship tenure, the Post-Doctoral Fellow is required to prepare a Comprehensive Research Report and successfully defend the findings in an open scientific seminar:

• Report Contents: Theoretical rationale, conceptual basis, exhaustive literature review, experimental illustrations, verified findings, scientific outcomes, and policy/applied implications.
• Defense & Evaluation: Presented in an open seminar attended by faculty, researchers, and students. Following satisfactory presentation and approval by the PAC, the final report is formally submitted to the Director of Post-Graduate Studies.
• Award of Certificate: On successful completion, a formal Certificate of Completion is issued jointly by the Mentor and Head of Department, and countersigned by the Director of Post-Graduate Studies (DPGS).

• Hostel Accommodation: Subject to availability, Fellows may be provided on-campus hostel accommodation on payment of prescribed University fees. When campus accommodation is unavailable, Fellows make independent arrangements.
• Library Privileges: Full access to the Rev. B. M. Pugh Central Library, e-resources, CeRA database, and reading room privileges per University rules.
• Admissible Leave: Leave permissible during the fellowship is strictly limited to Casual Leave, Medical Leave, and Duty Leave (for attending approved conferences, workshops, or field trials).

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

All discoveries, technologies, patents, software, and inventions generated during the tenure of the fellowship are governed strictly by the AAU Policy on Intellectual Property Rights. Fellows are expected to publish findings in high-impact indexed journals and disclose patentable inventions to the University IPR Cell.

Collaboration & Grievance Redressal

Fellows are encouraged to build collaborative research links across AAU departments and external institutions. Any research-related hurdles should initially be resolved with the Mentor; matters that remain unresolved are referred to the Performance Assessment Committee (PAC) and the University Grievance Redressal mechanism.

Upon completing the fellowship, scholars are integrated into the AAU Alumni network to foster continued mentorship, joint research bids, and academic exchange.