Ph.D. Program at DRILS
[In Association with Manipal Academy of Higher Education]
The Ph.D. program at DRILS provides students with research opportunities in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and in industry-oriented technology areas including Process Chemistry and Flow Chemistry. Its uniquely designed coursework provides cross-disciplinary education in Chemistry and Biology, to develop interdisciplinary capabilities.
The DRILS Ph.D. program is being implemented in the External mode, with DRILS as a recognized research centre of MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education), Manipal. Full-time or part-time Ph.D. registration options are available. The procedures for evaluation, selection, and admission are as per guidelines prescribed by the UGC and MAHE.
DRILS Ph.D. Students and their Status
Eligibility for application to the Ph.D. program at DRILS:
- Full-time, Path 1:
- Qualification in a national level eligibility test (such as UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, ICMR-NET, DST-Inspire, DBT BET-JRF exam etc.) or any similar fellowship providing examinations.
- Full-time, Path 2:
- Position at DRILS in an ongoing or approved grant-funded project with fellowship or salary available for at least 3 years.
- Part-time:
- Salaried position at DRILS with recognizable contribution to DRILS and potential for doctoral work.
Applications for option “1” above (Full-time, Path 1) are invited via advertisement. The number of positions will depend on requirement and availability.
As per UGC and MAHE guidelines, completion of coursework (12 credits) with an aggregate minimum score of 60% (CGPA 7.5) is a requirement. The coursework should be completed within one year from registration. The MAHE Ph.D. degree does not mention departmental affiliation or area of thesis work.
The Ph.D. coursework at DRILS is interactive and aimed at conceptual understanding, covering basic cross-disciplinary concepts and advanced co-disciplinary topics.
The courses are as follows:
- Basic Chemistry or Biology (Cross-disciplinary) (2 credits): Cross-disciplinary course in which biology students are taught basic chemistry and chemistry students are taught basic biology.
- Advanced Chemistry or Biology (3 credits): Students are taught concepts in detail within their own disciplines (chemistry or biology).
- Seminar (1 credit): Students acquire the fundamentals of reading critically, analysing and presenting research articles from selected
- Research Methodology (4 credits): Students are taught fundamentals of experimental design, troubleshooting, data analysis, and data representation.
- Research and Publication Ethics (2 credits): Students are taught to recognize and address ethics violations and problems that arise during the conduct of science including issues with communication, experimental design and execution, collaboration, and publication.
[One credit: 12 hours for physical learning sessions, 24 hours for practical or activity-based sessions].
Students are given an option to provide a list of three faculty members as potential guides for their Ph.D. work. The final assignment of students to specific lab is based on the decision of the faculty members. Students carry out work under the supervision of their guide at DRILS and periodic feedback and review by a doctoral committee. Research seminars and progress reports are to be given every 6 months. The scholars present their work in a comprehensive seminar before synopsis/thesis submission. A minimum duration (3 years for full-time and 4 years for part-time) is required from registration to synopsis/thesis submission. A minimum of two first-author publications (one review allowed) is mandatory for thesis submission. Award of Ph.D. degree by MAHE will be based on the recommendation of the doctoral committee and external reviewers as per UGC and MAHE guidelines.
Research Fellows at DRILS
DRILS welcomes post-doctoral fellows with an interest in the areas and philosophy of work at the Institute. Post-doctoral fellows are expected to be capable of performing research largely independently, without the requirement for constant guidance.
Post-doctoral fellows at DRILS will work either in govt. grant-funded research projects, industry-supported projects or internally funded projects. Those supported by independent post-doctoral fellowships (such as research associate fellowships) or by govt. funded grants will work on academic research projects. Projects funded by other means will support fellows for the duration of the project, and continuation of these will be subject to reaching definite milestones.
Advertisements for any open post-doctoral positions will be posted on the Current Positions page.