Field Investigator Job 2026 – 4 Posts | Presidency University

Presidency University, Kolkata, released a recruitment notice on 31 August 2026 inviting applications for four Field Investigator posts at its Department of Geography. The Field Investigator Job notice was published on the official Presidency University notification page. The role is for field-based research work under two internationally funded projects being carried out with Charles University, Prague, Czechia.

The university is recruiting four Field Investigators in total, with fieldwork spread across selected towns of West Bengal. The engagement is purely temporary and project-based, running for around four months during the fieldwork period of September to December 2026. Candidates should check all details in the article below.

Information verified from the official Presidency University notice dated 31 August 2026. Last verified: 31 August 2026.

Presidency University is recruiting 4 Field Investigators at its Department of Geography, Kolkata, through a notice dated 31 August 2026. The last date to apply is Monday, September 7, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Candidates must email their application as one PDF to saurav.geog@presiuniv.ac.in. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in person on 9 September 2026.

দার্জিলিং, সিকিম, শিলিগুড়ি এবং উত্তরবঙ্গ অঞ্চলের স্থানীয় চাকরির আপডেট মিস করবেন না। আমাদের WhatsApp চ্যানেল, YouTube চ্যানেল এবং Facebook পেজে যুক্ত হন এবং নতুন শূন্যপদের খবর পোস্ট হওয়ার সঙ্গে সঙ্গেই পেয়ে যান।

Quick Summary of Field Investigator Job 2026

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About Presidency University

The recruitment is run through the Department of Geography, Presidency University, which is coordinating this field research jointly with Charles University, Prague. The department is inviting Field Investigators to support two internationally funded studies on urbanisation, migration and WASH infrastructure in West Bengal.

This is added context, not part of the official notification: Presidency University began as Hindu College in 1817, later became Presidency College, and was redesignated a state public university in 2010. Confirm current institutional details with the university website.

Local Context

The post is based at Presidency University’s Department of Geography on College Street, Kolkata, with fieldwork spread across selected towns of West Bengal that the notice does not name.

This is added context, not part of the official notification: Kolkata is well connected to North Bengal, Sikkim and the North East by rail, road and domestic flights, which makes the in-person interview reachable for candidates travelling from Darjeeling, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri or Gangtok. Candidates should confirm their own travel plans and the exact fieldwork towns directly with the Department of Geography, since these are not listed in the notice.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details and Remuneration

The remuneration is disbursed through Presidency University under the applicable financial and administrative procedures of the university and the two funding projects.

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Eligibility for Field Investigator Job

Essential qualification: MA/MSc in Geography or a related discipline from a recognised university or institution. Final-year students may also apply, provided they complete the required degree before the fieldwork begins.

Desirable qualifications and skills:

• Prior experience in field surveys, household surveys, interviews or socio-economic surveys
• Experience collecting and managing qualitative and quantitative field data
• Familiarity with urbanisation, migration, settlement dynamics, WASH or urban infrastructure issues
• Basic knowledge of spatial data collection
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact with households, local communities and other stakeholders
• Willingness to undertake extensive field travel in selected towns of West Bengal
• Knowledge of Bengali and/or relevant local languages, considered an advantage

Age limit: not mentioned in the official notification.

Role and Responsibilities

Selected Field Investigators will be expected to:

• Conduct household and/or community-level field surveys in selected towns of West Bengal
• Collect qualitative and quantitative data using structured questionnaires, interview schedules and other approved research instruments
• Assist with interviews and interactions involving households, community members and other local stakeholders
• Assist in collecting and documenting information on settlement characteristics, migration and WASH infrastructure
• Use their own smartphones for field data collection
• Maintain accurate field records and survey documentation
• Take part in field training and orientation before the survey begins
• Undertake field travel and other research-related activities needed to complete the survey
• Submit collected field data and documentation to the research team on time, including accurate interview transcripts and coded qualitative data, following the project’s coding protocol

Selection Process Presidency University Field Investigator Job

The selection process for the Field Investigator Job 2026 at Presidency University Kolkata will be through screening of applications followed by an interview. There is no written examination mentioned in the notice.

1. The Selection Committee screens applications and shortlists candidates based on academic qualifications, relevant experience, fieldwork experience and suitability for the research activities. Meeting only the minimum eligibility does not guarantee shortlisting.
2. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in person on 9 September 2026 at the Department of Geography, Presidency University, Kolkata.

Candidates must produce their original certificates and documents for verification at the interview, and no TA/DA is paid for attending it.

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How to Apply

1. Prepare one PDF file containing the required documents (listed below).
2. Email the PDF to saurav.geog@presiuniv.ac.in.
3. Use the exact subject line: “Application for Field Investigator – International Research Project.”
4. Ensure the application reaches the inbox by Monday, September 7, 2026, 5:30 PM. Incomplete applications, or applications received after this deadline, may be rejected.

Documents to keep ready:

• Cover letter stating interest in the position (within 450 words) and relevant academic/research/fieldwork experience
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Self-attested copies of educational certificates and mark sheets
• Relevant experience certificates/documents, if applicable
• Government-issued photo identity proof

Important Links

Should You Apply?

This role suits postgraduate or final-year postgraduate students in Geography or a related discipline who want hands-on fieldwork and research experience on an internationally collaborative project. It is not a fit for anyone looking for a stable, long-term income, since the engagement is temporary, project-based, and does not lead to regular appointment or absorption at Presidency University or any other institution.

Only four posts are open, and the notice allows the Selection Committee to apply additional shortlisting criteria beyond the minimum qualification, so meeting the essential qualification alone does not guarantee an interview call. The clearest trade-off is between the short, four-month tenure and modest consolidated pay on one side, and the research exposure, fieldwork experience and international academic collaboration on the other.

This is added editorial judgment, not part of the official notification.

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