Research Fellow — Reinforcement Learning

About this AI Research Associate role at TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research)

TIFR's School of Technology and Computer Science in Mumbai is hiring Research Fellows to advance the frontier of reinforcement learning — one of the hottest areas in AI right now. This is a prestigious 3-year fellowship at India's leading research institute, perfect for junior researchers and PhD holders who want to do cutting-edge work in RL without the corporate pressure. If you're in Mumbai or willing to relocate, this is a direct-apply opportunity with no competitive exam.

What you'll do

• Conduct original research in reinforcement learning algorithms and their theoretical foundations.
• Design and implement RL experiments, likely using Python and modern deep learning frameworks.
• Develop and test RL models on benchmark problems and real-world applications.
• Collaborate with senior researchers and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Present findings at research seminars and conferences.

Who should apply

You'll need a PhD (or be very close to completion) in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics with a specialization in reinforcement learning. This is a junior-level research role, so fresh PhDs are welcome — you don't need industry experience. However, the institute expects strong mathematical foundations and hands-on RL project experience (coursework, thesis, or competitions count).

Salary & offer in context

The fellowship pays ₹65,000–₹85,000 per month for 3 years, positioning it at the lower end of AI research salaries in India but reflective of the prestige and stability of government-research roles. For comparison, AI Research Associate salaries in India typically range ₹50,000–₹120,000/month depending on the employer and your experience; TIFR offers security and publication credibility that often outweigh raw salary in early-career research.

Path to apply

This is a direct-apply fellowship — no competitive exam required. Submit your CV, research statement, and academic credentials directly to the TIFR careers portal or via email as specified on their website. The deadline is June 10, 2026, so move quickly if this interests you. Applications are reviewed based on your research profile and academic record, followed by an interview.