BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus Seeks Field Investigators for ICSSR-Funded Coastal Erosion Project

The Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, Hyderabad Campus , has announced a Call for Field Investigators to join a significant research initiative. Applications are invited for two Field Investigator positions to work on a major project sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

Project Overview: Coastal Erosion, Adaptation, and Rehabilitation

The project is titled “Coastal Erosion: Adaptation Relocation and Rehabilitation in a Resilience Framework (CeARRRF)”. This is a crucial longitudinal study aimed at examining coastal erosion management approaches across diverse social contexts in India. The overarching goal is to formulate a systematic approach that can be effectively utilized at the national, state, and local levels.

The research is planned for a duration of 4 years. It is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary effort involving research teams from multiple premier institutions:

• BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
• IIT Madras
• IIT Bhubaneswar
• AIIMS, New Delhi

The announcement date for this call was 17th October 2025.

Field Investigator Role and Responsibilities

The successful candidates for the Field Investigator positions (No. 2) will have their primary place of work in the coastal districts of Odisha (Kendrapara) and Tamilnadu (Villupuram). This role is essential for supporting the fieldwork and data collection phase of the study.

Key roles and responsibilities include:

• Contributing to the development of essential research tools, such as Questionnaires, Interviews, and Focused Group Discussion guides.
• Actively conducting Surveys, Interviews, and Focused Group Discussions in the field.
• Managing data through transcription and compilation.
• Providing assistance in the quantitative and qualitative data analysis phases.
• Maintaining the project database and all related records.
• Handling coordination and liaising with various stakeholders, including government agencies.
• Executing any other project-related task as assigned by the Project Directors.

Eligibility, Remuneration, and Terms of Employment

Qualification Requirements

The Essential Qualification for the Field Investigator position is a Post Graduate Degree in any Social Science Discipline. Preferred subjects include:

• Disaster Management
• Sociology
• Economics
• Development Studies
• Social Work
• Geography

Candidates must have secured a minimum of 55% marks in their Post Graduate Degree.

A mandatory requirement is proficiency in language skills, specifically in either Tamil or Odia. Desirable experience includes previous exposure to conducting fieldwork.

Remuneration and Contract

The selected Field Investigators will receive a Consolidated Pay of Rs 20,000/-. The employment is contractual and is coterminous with the project period of 4 years. In the event of an earlier termination, a one-month notice period will be provided.

Application Procedure and Contact Information

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their application, consisting of two main components:

1. A comprehensive CV.
2. A one-page statement highlighting the reasons for their interest in the position and detailing skills that align with the specific requirements.

Applications should be sent to the Principal Investigator, Biswanath Dash , via email at: biswanath@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in. Applications may also be sent by post to the PI’s office at the BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad campus.

The last date for application submission is 16th November, 2025.

Selection Process

The selection procedure involves contacting shortlisted applications and scheduling an online interview for interaction. Only qualified and suitable candidates will be called for the interview, and no TA/DA will be paid. Selected candidates are expected to join the project immediately.

Principal Investigator: Biswanath Dash Designation: Associate Professor Department: Humanities and Social Sciences Campus Address: Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Kapra Mandal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India.