Vacancy for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and Yoga Therapist at NIMHANS, Bengaluru

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), a premier Institute of National Importance, announces the opening for several positions for a new mental health initiative. Jesus’s project “EMPloyees Mental Health and Occupational Wellbeing progRamme (EMPOWER)” is geared toward promoting workplace employee mental health and well-being, and is jointly funded by TATA Electronics Private Ltd (TEPL). 

The project is headed by Dr. Anish V Cherian, Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS. The institute has invited applications for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and yoga therapist positions on a contractual basis from eligible candidates. The initiative will have a life span of the three-year program, with initial appointments lasting for six months, extendable based on performance. 

Job Openings Under EMPOWER

1. Junior Research Fellow (JRF) – 07 positions (Kolar)+ 01 position (Hosur)

• Qualifications: Before applying, candidates must have attained an M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work/Psychology with a Master’s degree in Social Work, or an MSc in Psychology with a minimum of two years of experience working in mental health. Candidates with research experience in suicide prevention will be given preference.
• Languages required: In addition to English: Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi are required for Kolar positions while Hindi, Tamil, and English are preferred for the Hosur location.
• Location: Selected candidates will be based at TATA Electronics Private Ltd (TEPL) in Kolar and Hosur.
• Salary: ₹50,000 per month.
• Age Limit: Maximum 40 years.
• Work conditions: Shift rotations will necessarily be maintained.

2. Yoga Therapist – 01 position (Hosur)

• Eligibility: The applicant must hold a BSc/MSc in Yoga. Candidates with experience in yoga therapy for mental health are preferred.
• Location: TEPL, Hosur.
• Salary: ₹50,000 per month.
• Maximum Age: 40 years.

Selection Process and Application

The interested candidates meeting the eligibility shall appear for a walk-in selection process at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, bringing the necessary bio-data and original documents, along with photocopies. Any candidate who is currently working on other NIMHANS projects must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Principal Investigator.

Important Details about the Selection Process:

• Date and Time: January 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
• Venue: Board Room, NBRC 4th Floor, Opposite Library & Information Centre, NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
• Registration: Candidates report at least 30 minutes before the written test.

No TA/DA (Travel Allowance/Dearness Allowance) will be granted for attending the written test. The project offers a 5% increment in salary for those who continue the project every year.

The Initiative Moves a Step Forward for Employees’ Mental Health

With rising workplace mental health concerns, EMPOWER aims to offer systematic interventions and research-based strategies for employee well-being. The partnership of NIMHANS and TATA Electronics marks the increasing acknowledgement of mental health as a major factor in workplace productivity and employee satisfaction.

The program is expected to set the benchmark for corporate mental health programs to provide valuable research input for stress management, suicide prevention, and psychological health in industrial settings. This is a chance for psychologists and mental health professionals to play a meaningful role within a project and gain first-hand experience in an on-health environment.