Pratiksha Postdoctoral Fellowship at IISc Bangalore553 Views

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India’s most prestigious research university, invites outstanding early-career scientists to apply for the Pratiksha Postdoctoral Fellowship. This distinguished program is generously funded by the Pratiksha Trust, founded by eminent philanthropists Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan and Mrs. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, and is part of a long-term vision to strengthen interdisciplinary research capabilities across neuroscience, computing, and data science in India. As the global landscape of research increasingly favors convergence between biological and computational sciences, this fellowship positions candidates at the forefront of scientific discovery. With a focus on brain-inspired computing, neuromorphic systems, and AI-driven neuroscience, the fellowship supports transformative inquiry at one of the most advanced academic environments in the country.

The Pratiksha Postdoctoral Fellowship at IISc Bangalore supports exceptional researchers working at the intersection of neuroscience, computing, and data science. With generous funding, expert mentorship, and access to premier research infrastructure, the fellowship empowers scholars to pursue independent, high-impact research in India’s leading scientific institution.

About the Fellowship: A Strategic Research Initiative

The Pratiksha Postdoctoral Fellowship was established to promote excellence in Brain, Computation, and Data Science (BCD)—a rapidly expanding field that integrates insights from artificial intelligence, neural modeling, machine learning, and data-driven analytics. The initiative aims to develop a foundational understanding of brain function while advancing technologies that emulate neural systems.

Host Institution: Indian Institute

of Science (IISc)

IISc Bangalore stands as a globally recognized institution for research and innovation. Located in India’s leading science and technology hub, the campus brings together outstanding faculty, cross-disciplinary research centers, and cutting-edge laboratories. Key academic units involved in the fellowship include the Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Electrical Communication Engineering, Department of Computer Science and Automation, and the Centre for Brain Research. Collectively, these centers represent the intellectual backbone of the fellowship’s interdisciplinary vision.

Fellowship Objectives: Empowering Future Research Leaders

The Pratiksha Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed to support early-career researchers who are transitioning to academic independence. It seeks applicants with a strong track record in research and a compelling proposal that explores bold ideas across disciplines such as:

• • Neural computation and modeling of brain function
  • Low-power neuromorphic computing and cognitive hardware
  • Machine learning applications in cognitive science
  • Statistical modeling of complex brain data
  • Cross-disciplinary frameworks combining neuroscience and AI

The goal is to catalyze cross-pollination of ideas between experimental neuroscience, computational modeling, and engineering, enabling high-impact projects that redefine the boundaries of research in brain computation.

Fellowship Details: Benefits, Duration, and Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must fulfill the following qualifications:

• • Hold a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, Neurobiology, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrate expertise and a research agenda that aligns with themes of
    brain science, computational neuroscience, neuromorphic systems, or machine learning.
  • Candidates who earned their PhD at IISc are eligible but must not select their PhD supervisor as a mentor for this fellowship.

Fellowship Benefits

• • Monthly Stipend: ₹1,00,000 (consolidated)
  • Annual Contingency Grant: ₹2,00,000 to support academic travel, software, books, and project expenses
  • Tenure: One year with a possible extension to a second year, subject to performance evaluation

This support structure makes the Pratiksha Fellowship one of the most financially attractive postdoctoral opportunities in India, especially for researchers in high-tech, data-centric, and interdisciplinary fields.

Application Process: How to Apply and Prepare

The application process is competitive and requires careful preparation. Candidates are expected to initiate collaboration by identifying a faculty mentor at IISc who will host their research. The mentor must formally agree to supervise the fellow for the entire duration of the program.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following materials in PDF format:

1. 1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing academic qualifications, professional experience, and publications
   2. Three best publications relevant to the proposed research
   3. A well-structured research proposal (2–3 pages), including project goals, methodology,
      expected outcomes, and alignment with the BCD vision
   4. Letter of support from the proposed mentor at IISc
   5. Contact details of three referees, with full name, affiliation, email, and telephone number

Submission Instructions

All applications should be emailed to the designated contact. The subject line must clearly state: “Application for Pratiksha Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Why Choose the Pratiksha Fellowship?

1. 1. Interdisciplinary Research at the Core: Unlike conventional postdoctoral roles confined to a single domain, this fellowship promotes cross-domain synergy. It encourages candidates to integrate computational techniques with neuroscience, behavioral analysis with data modeling, and theory with application.

1. 2. Strategic Career Development: The fellowship supports career transitions from PhD to independent academic or industrial research. It is designed to help researchers build publication portfolios, develop grant proposals, and strengthen their research leadership skills.

1. 3. Global Recognition and Research Network: IISc’s reputation as a global research institution opens avenues for collaboration, publication in high-impact journals, and visibility within international networks. Past fellows have progressed into faculty positions, international postdocs, or research leadership roles
      in R&D firms.

1. 4. Institutional Resources and Intellectual Freedom: With access to supercomputing facilities, data repositories, experimental neuroscience labs, and interdisciplinary research seminars, fellows enjoy an ecosystem tailored for innovation and exploration. The program also offers significant freedom in topic selection, as long as it aligns with the core themes of the BCD initiative.

Suggested Research Themes for Applicants

The Pratiksha Fellowship welcomes proposals across a wide range of exploratory or applied themes, including but not limited to:

• • Bio-inspired computing models and spike-based learning algorithms
  • Brain-machine interface design and closed-loop neurofeedback systems
  • Generative AI models for simulating neural processes
  • Cognitive computing using low-energy neuromorphic chips
  • Real-time decoding of neural data for behavioral inference

These topics not only reflect current trends but also represent high-potential research directions recognized in global forums.

When to Apply: Timelines and Recommendations

The fellowship operates on a rolling application basis, but applicants are encouraged to apply between June and October to align with institutional review cycles. Selection decisions are typically communicated within four to eight weeks following application submission.

Next cycle prediction: Based on prior years, the next major call for applications is expected in July or August. (Exact dates will be updated once officially announced.)

For optimal consideration, candidates should initiate contact with a potential IISc mentor at least two months in advance of their target submission period.

Final Thoughts and Takeaway

The Pratiksha Postdoctoral Fellowship at IISc offers a unique opportunity to engage in transformative, interdisciplinary research at one of Asia’s most respected academic institutions. Designed to empower the next generation of scientific leaders, the fellowship blends intellectual freedom, financial support, and mentorship to foster innovation at the cutting edge of brain, computation, and data science.

As the boundaries between neuroscience and machine intelligence continue to blur, this program provides the ideal foundation to contribute meaningfully to the future of cognitive computing, AI ethics, and neuro-engineered systems.

Ready to Apply?

To begin your application, visit the official Brain, Computation, and Data Science initiative page at IISc. For professional assistance with crafting your research proposal, preparing documentation, or selecting the right mentor, reach out to our academic consulting team at CareerAidHub.

Program Snapshot

Official Portal:  https://brain-computation.iisc.ac.in

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