What: Applications are invited from students who expect to complete their MSc (in Physics/ Electronics/ Astronomy/ Applied Mathematics) or BE/ BTech / ME/ MTech (any branch) degree, by August 2009, for Research Scholarship (to do PhD) at either of the following institutes:

• IUCAA, Pune, for Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Physics
• NCRA - TIFR, Pune, for Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Institutes are looking for highly motivated students with consistently good academic record. Students who have already completed the above degrees can also apply. Selection to research scholarship is through a written test and interviews. This is in addition to the selection through the usual JEST- 2009, for IUCAA and NCRA.

Selection procedure
Selection to research scholarship is through a written test on December 18, and interviews on December 18, and/or 19, 2008, both to be held in Pune.

How to apply
Candidates should download the complete application set (consisting of Application Form (two pages), two Assessment Forms (each of two pages), and Admit Letter (one page), all in A4 size paper) from the web sites listed below.

However, application set can also be obtained by writing to: INAT - 2008, The Coordinator, Core Programmes, IUCAA, Pune University Campus, Post Bag 4, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007, Maharashtra, along with a self-addressed sheet of paper (approximate size 15 cm x 10 cm) with postage stamp of Rs 15/- affixed on it.

Candidates with a first class degree may also walk-in for the written test by producing a valid photo identity. Further details about IUCAA and NCRA may be found in the web pages listed below.

Important dates
Request for printed (hard copy) application forms to reach IUCAA by: September 29, 2008.
Last date to receive the filled in application sets is : October 10, 2008.
The Admission (written) test will be held on: December 18, 2008.
Short-listed candidates will be interviewed on: December 18, and/or 19, 2008.

Contact:
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
(An Autonomous Institution of the University Grants Commission)
Pune University Campus
Post Bag 4, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007, Maharashtra.
Website: http://www.iucaa.ernet.in/~inat
Phone: (020) 25604100, 25691414
Fax: (020) 25604699
Email: vch@iucaa.ernet.in


National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
Pune University Campus
Post Bag 3, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007, Maharashtra.
Website: http://www.ncra.tifr.res.in/~inat
Phone: (020) 25719000, 25719111
Fax: (020) 25692149
Email: res@ncra.tifr.res.in

Forms are available for download @ http://www.ncra.tifr.res.in/~inat/