The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, is hiring for 12 contractual positions across six wildlife research projects in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand. Most of the openings are Project Associate I posts. There is also a Senior Project Associate, a Principal Project Associate, a Project Associate II (RS & GIS) and an Administrative Assistant, who only needs a graduate degree. Only Indian nationals can apply, and only online. The application window opens on 30 October 2026 and closes on 13 November 2026.
WII Project Associate I Recruitment 2026 Overview
About WII
The Wildlife Institute of India is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. It is based in Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It runs training programmes and academic courses and gives advice on wildlife research and management. This recruitment is run by its Recruitment and Placement Cell.
WII Project Associate I Vacancy Details 2026
Projects, Duration and Duties
Project 01: Impacts of Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project on Wildlife
The full title is "Study the Impacts of Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project on Wildlife and Preparation of Wildlife Mitigation Plan". All three posts on this project last six months.
- Senior Project Associate: helps manage the team, plans and runs field research and surveys, and does data analysis and report writing.
- Project Associate II (RS & GIS): does data analysis and report writing.
- Project Associate I: supports field teams and does field research, surveys, data analysis and report writing.
Project 02: Conservation Plan for the White Bellied Heron
This project is a conservation plan for the critically endangered White Bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) and its habitats in the Lohit River and Noa-Dehing River Basins. The Project Associate I post lasts one year. The work covers field teams, field research, surveys, data analysis and report writing.
Project 03: Sijimali Bauxite Mines, Odisha
This project prepares a site-specific wildlife management plan for the Sijimali Bauxite Mines in Rayagada Forest Division and Kalahandi (South) Forest Division, Odisha. The Administrative Assistant gives administrative and logistical support to the Project Principal Investigator for one year.
Project 04: Yettinahole Drinking Water Project, Karnataka
This project prepares a wildlife mitigation and management plan for the Yettinahole Drinking Water Project in Hassan and Tumkur Districts, Karnataka. Both posts last one year. The Principal Project Associate manages teams and plans and runs field research, surveys, data analysis and report writing. The two Project Associates I support the field teams.
Project 05: Biodiversity of Saranda Forest Division, Jharkhand
This project assesses and monitors biodiversity in Saranda Forest Division, West Singhbhum District. The posts last one year and are "likely to be extended based on funding".
- Vegetation: collects vegetation data for habitat assessment, analyses the data and writes reports.
- Social: carries out social surveys in tribal-dominated areas, analyses the data and writes reports.
- Entomology: does pan trapping, light trapping and lab work on the specimens collected, and writes reports.
Project 06: Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
This project covers biodiversity conservation in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of MoEFCC. The post lasts one year and is likely to be extended. The work includes biodiversity surveys and field data collection in remote areas of the Himalaya, plus literature review, data analysis and report writing. The notice says physical fitness is a prerequisite for this post.
WII Project Associate I Eligibility 2026
Age Limit
The upper age limit is relaxed under DoPT OM No. 15012/2/2010- Estt. (D) dated 27.03.2012, as amended from time to time. At present the relaxation is up to 5 years for SC and ST candidates and up to 3 years for OBC candidates.
Principal Project Associate (Project 04)
Essential (any one of these):
- A Four Years Bachelor's Degree (4 Yr BSc degree as per National Education Policy) in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Geoinformatics/ Life Sciences)/ Agricultural/ Forestry Sciences, plus eight years of experience after that degree in R&D in Industrials or Science & Technology Institutions or Scientific activities and Services; or
- A Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (the same subjects)/ Agricultural Sciences, plus eight years of experience after the Master's degree in the same kind of work; or
- A Doctoral Degree in Science/ Engineering & Technology, plus four years of experience after the doctorate in the same kind of work.
Desirable: experience or aptitude in wildlife and ecology research, statistical analysis and spatial ecological modelling in R, designing and coordinating projects with a multi-disciplinary team and field data collection, and research papers in peer-reviewed national or international journals.
Senior Project Associate (Project 01)
Essential: a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Geoinformatics/ Life Sciences)/ Agricultural Sciences, plus four years of experience after the Master's degree in R&D in Industrials or Science & Technology Institutions or Scientific Activities and Services. A Doctoral Degree in Science is accepted instead. Desirable: the same four points as for the Principal Project Associate.
Project Associate II (RS & GIS) (Project 01)
Essential: one of the following.
- A Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (the subjects above)/ Agricultural Sciences, plus two years of experience after the Master's degree in R&D in Industrials or Science & Technology Institutions or Scientific activities and Services; or
- A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/ Technology (Computer Science/ Information Technology/ Remote Sensing/ GIS/ Data/ Electrical Engineering/ electronics & communication/ AI Technology/ Data Science), plus two years of experience after that degree in R&D in Industrials or Science & Technology Institutions.
Desirable: experience or aptitude in Remote Sensing and GIS applications, modelling, analysis and tools.
Project Associate I (Project 01)
Essential: a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Geoinformatics/ Life Sciences)/ Agricultural Sciences. Desirable: experience or aptitude in wildlife and ecology research, and in designing and coordinating projects with a multi-disciplinary team and field data collection.
Project Associate I (Projects 02 and 04)
Essential: a Four Years Bachelor's Degree (4 Yr BSc as per National Education Policy) in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Geoinformatics/ Life Sciences)/ Agricultural/ Forestry Sciences, or a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (the same subjects)/ Agricultural Sciences. Desirable: the same as for Project Associate I on Project 01.
Project Associate-I (Vegetation) (Project 05)
Essential: a Four Years Bachelor's Degree (4 Yr BSc as per NEP) in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Botany/ Forestry Sciences), or a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Botany/ Agricultural/ Forestry Sciences).
Desirable: experience in wildlife field surveys, biodiversity assessment, camera trapping, habitat and vegetation assessment, ecological data analysis, GIS and remote sensing, GPS-based field data collection and technical report writing. Preference goes to candidates who have done vegetation sampling, especially in protected areas and eco-sensitive zones.
Project Associate-I (Social) (Project 05)
Essential: a Four Years Bachelor's Degree or a Master's Degree in any Social Science Discipline (Environmental Management/ Social Work/ Anthropology/ Economics/ Sustainable Development Practices).
Desirable: research experience in sustainable development, natural resource management, wildlife conservation or biodiversity. Also experience in qualitative and quantitative research and in stakeholder consultations and engagement, a sound understanding of environmental governance and conservation policy, and strong skills in official communication, report writing and coordination.
Project Associate-I (Entomology) (Project 05)
Essential: a Four Years Bachelor's Degree (4 Yr BSc as per NEP) in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Life Sciences/ Forestry Sciences), or a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Life Sciences)/ Agricultural/ Forestry Sciences.
Desirable: experience in wildlife field surveys, entomology trapping methods, insect species identification, ecological data analysis, GIS and remote sensing, GPS-based field data collection and technical report writing. Preference goes to candidates who have done insect sampling, especially in protected areas and eco-sensitive zones.
Project Associate -I (Project 06)
Essential: a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences (Wildlife Science/ Zoology/ Botany/ Ecology/ Environmental Sciences/ Geoinformatics/ Life Sciences). Desirable: experience in biodiversity or floristic surveys, data analysis and report writing.
Administrative Assistant (Project 03)
Essential: a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised institute or university. Desirable: earlier experience of office assistance work, coordinating teams, surveys and field activities.
All degrees must be from a recognised institute or university. For the exact discipline-specific eligibility of each post, check the official notification.
Application Fee
The fee can be paid through online banking, NEFT, RTGS or other electronic mode, by UPI using the QR code in the notice, or offline at any bank by cash or demand draft. The bank details are:
- Account Name: RRP Cell Revolving/ Director Wildlife Institute of India
- Bank: Union Bank of India, Branch: Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248 001
- Account No.: 518502010059776
- IFSC Code: UBIN0551856
Before you pay, check that the account holder name shows as "RRP CELL REVOLVING FUND/ Director Wildlife Institute of India". The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is later rejected or not shortlisted, or if you withdraw it.
Important Dates
Selection Process
WII shortlists candidates for an online interview. Shortlisting looks at the essential qualification, the age limit, your percentage of marks in the Bachelor's or Master's degree, how relevant your Master's specialisation is, your research experience, and your publications (journal papers, books, and papers presented at workshops, seminars, symposiums and conferences). The top ten (10) shortlisted candidates for each project or position are called for the interview. A duly constituted Selection Committee runs the process. Meeting the minimum qualification and experience does not by itself get you an interview call. The screening marks are listed below.
Field/ Lab/ Project Assistant category
Project Associate - I category
Project Associate II, Senior and Principal Project Associate categories
A candidate who is not found suitable for the post applied for may be considered for a lower-grade position if the Interview Committee recommends it. The shortlist and the interview results will be posted in the "Latest News & Announcements" section at wii.gov.in/news.
Service Conditions
- The positions are purely temporary, for the project period given for each post, and will be abolished when the project ends.
- The Institute's rules and regulations govern the tenure and the code of conduct of selected candidates.
- Selected candidates must join within the time given in the offer letter and produce all original certificates at joining.
- Any candidate found to have concealed or misrepresented facts, or to have canvassed, will be rejected or terminated. Canvassing in any form can lead to rejection.
- The Director, WII, may reject any application without giving a reason.
How to Apply for WII Project Associate I Recruitment 2026
- Pay the application or processing fee into the RRP Cell account and keep the receipt.
- Open the application portal at wiirp.com/application.php, or scan the QR code printed in the notice.
- Fill in the online form. Enter your educational details exactly as they appear on your board or university mark sheets.
- Upload the scanned documents and the fee receipt, then submit the form by 13 November 2026. Printed application copies will not be considered.
You can apply for up to two positions that match your education. Each one needs a separate online form, its own supporting documents and its own fee.
Documents to keep scanned and ready:
- Certificates and mark sheets of your educational qualifications
- Proof of age
- Work or research experience certificates showing the start and end dates, from your employer, guide or supervisor
- Reserved category certificate and UGC/CSIR NET certificate, if they apply to you
- Publications and any other supporting documents
- Application processing fee receipt
- Passport-size photo and signature
- For people now working on a WII project or doing a Ph.D. at WII: a No Objection Certificate from the Project Investigator, Supervisor or Nodal Officer, dated no more than one month before the last date. Former WII staff must upload a No Dues Certificate from WII.
Incomplete applications are liable to be rejected. That includes forms without proof of age, qualification or experience, without the photo and signature, or without the fee receipt.
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