World of opportunity for science grads

Gauri Chhabra

Have you ever wondered which department or ministry is responsible for providing us services in case of a natural calamity? Whose responsibility it is to make sure that all the non-living and living resources in marine life are being utilised in an optimum way? The entire responsibility lies with the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It has career options not only for scientists but also for research fellows and administrative officers and the like. These officers are responsible for fieldwork, besides research, modelling and data analysis.

Career options

There are several forking pathways that the Ministry of Earth Sciences offers for candidates with different qualifications and subject specialisations. For instance one can be recruited as a scientist, multitasking staff, junior assistant, data entry operator, personal assistant, project scientist, junior research fellow, assistant librarian and information officer (Librarian), accountant, admin officer, to name a few.

Group A Posts

The Group A posts in the Ministry are those of Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E, Scientist F and Scientist G.

Method of recruitment

• The post of Scientist C to G are selection posts
• These posts are exempted from the purview of the Union Public Service Commission for the purpose of recruitment, except for filling Scientist B posts through promotion or deputation and absorption.
• Recruitment for the post of Scientist C to G is made either by direct recruitment or deputation, including short-term contract, as specified in Schedule I
• Particular method for recruitment for each post or each case is decided by the Central Government from time to time.
• A particular discipline or field of essential qualifications and experience for each post or case is generally decided by the Central Government, keeping in view the availability of scientists in different fields and further requirement of scientists in a particular field.
• Ex-Servicemen can also apply for different posts for re-employment as per the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time.

Educational qualifications

The educational qualifications required for Scientist C, Scientist D, Scientist E, Scientist F and Scientist G posts are:

• A Master’s degree in Science in disciplines like mathematics, physics, atmospheric science/physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, biology science, meteorology, oceanography, earth sciences.
• Besides these those with Master’s degree in statistics, operations research, environmental science, electronics & instrumentation remote sensing, agriculture can also apply.
• Science post graduates in subjects like geo-informatics, soil sciences, geophysics, geology, geosciences, geochemistry, fisheries, marine sciences, marine biology, marine geology, marine geophysics, biochemistry, are also eligible to apply for scientist-level posts in the ministry.
• Also eligible are those with Master’s in computer sciences, computer applications, aquaculture, micro-biology, seismology, hydrochemistry, agriculture statistics, geography (-remote sensing and gis as specialisation) or bachelor’s degree in engineering & technology, environmental engineering, ocean engineering, electronic & communication engineering, marine engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, information technology, telecom technology, earthquake engineering, chemical engineering, instrumentation & technology, mechatronics electrical engineering, computer biotechnology.
• Master’s degree in Engineering & Technology (ME/MTech) or Doctorate in related field.

Essential Experience

• Three years’ experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions/University of Science and Technology Organisation and scientific activities and services.
• Seven-year experience in the same field in case of Scientist D.
• 11 years for scientist E
• 16 years in case of Scientist F
• 21 years for scientist G.

Genesis

Earth Science, as the name suggests, is the science of earth. It includes subjects like geography, geology, geophysics, soil science, ecology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, including meteorology and climatology. The ministry that takes care of all of these is the Ministry of Earth Sciences

The Ministry of Earth Sciences was set up in 2006 with the merger of five separate departments -- the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and Earth Risk Evaluation Centre (EREC), and the Ministry of Ocean Development.

Screening and selection process

The composition of the screening cum-short listing committee and interview Board etc. is as prescribed by the Central Government. If considered necessary, the screening process can include a written test, to be conducted by the Central Government directly or through any other Central Government agency or organisation having experience in the same area. A majority of members in the screening-cum-shortlist Committee and Interview Board are from outside the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Current Notifications

Three (03) posts of Scientist G in IMD, New Delhi, on direct recruitment basis

Last Date: April 3, 2020

Last date for remote areas: April 21, 2020

Qualifications and age limit:

B) Master’s degree in physics/ mathematics/ meteorology/ or atmospheric sciences with at least 60 per cent marks

C) At least 21 years of experience in teaching ( graduate or postgraduate level), research, administration, planning and supervision in the relevant fields.

D) A doctorate in the relevant branch is desirable.

E) A workable knowledge of Hindi.

F) Age should not be exceeding 58 years as on the receipt of application.

Filling up of one (1) Post of Scientist G in IMD, New Delhi, on deputation basis

Deadline: April 24, 2020

Last date for remote areas: May 12, 2020

Pay Scale:

The post of Scientist G is in the Pay Level 14 of Pay Matrix (Rs. 1,44,200- 2,18,200) including allowances as admissible to Central Government employees.

Area of Operations:

You would be primarily responsible for the process of accurate weather forecasting, warning about cyclones, numerical prediction of weather and aviation.