To meet the requirement for time bound engagements of research projects, a more flexible system for appointing manpower on contract basis under various extramurally funded research projects has been evolved for implementation. The research staff are appointed in extramural funded projects on contract basis against the sanctioned post under the project. Though the project staff work directly under the project investigators; administratively they are governed by the Research Section. The research staff employed for the project are not treated as employees of AIIMS/Govt. of India and the deployment of such staff is terminated after expiry of the project or on the recommendation of project investigator. All service matter/administrative activities related to contractual research staff are dealt by the Research Section through project investigator. The service conditions for projects are in general, as approved by the competent authority of the institute from time to time. However, the research project staff shall not lay any claim to permanent absorption in AIIMS, after the expiry of the project.

In order to streamline the appointment of research staff in various projects, the following procedures should be followed.

1. The project Principal investigator (PI) should ensure that the said post has been duly approved by the funding agency.
2. The PI should circulate the advertisement on all the notice boards of AIIMS. In addition, the advertisement notice has to be sent to the Principal/ Dean/ Registrar/Superintendent of all medical colleges of Delhi and Universities of Delhi by email or post for wider publicity giving at least 2 weeks’ notice. The evidence of wider circulation (in form of copy of the email or proof of posting) must be provided to Research Section.
3. The PI should clearly mention the name of post, title of the project, name of funding agency, prescribed/requisite qualification, salary structure, age limit, tenure of contract appointment etc. on the advertisement notice.
4. An appointment committee should be notified by the PI, comprising of himself/herself as chairman, one faculty member from the department, one co-investigator, one faculty member from a different department and for Group ‘A’ posts (scientist cadre), administrative officer or his nominee from the research section.
5. After screening the applications, PI should call eligible candidates for interview by the appointment committee.
6. Candidates without requisite criteria/qualification/experience should not be called for interview by the PI.
7. The selection process should be fair and transparent. Candidates should be selected based on eligibility criteria and merit.
8. Once selected PI should send the following to research section:
   1. Recommendation of the appointment committee
   2. Filled application form with the following documents
      • Self-attested copies of all degree/certificates related to qualifications/date of birth/experience etc.
      • One latest passport size photograph to be pasted on the application form.
      • Self-attested copy of relevant certificate of SC/ST/OBC/Ex-serviceman/ Physically Handicapped, if applicable.
      • Checklist (For different posts and different agencies – checklists have been prepared to ensure completeness of the application these are listed in annexure IV).
   3. The attendance of all candidates who appeared for interview.
   4. Copy of the advertisement
   5. Proof of wide dissemination of the advertisement (copies of email / UPC/ copy of advertisement on AIIMS web site)
9. It is a good practice to have a waitlist of candidates and the same should be sent too. It helps save time in case the selected incumbent does not join, or resigns soon after joining.
10. There are several Selection Committees constituted by Dean (Research) for different types of posts in the Research Section. The Selection committee for the particular post in the research section approves the contractual appointment on the recommendation of the PI after scrutinizing that RRs and proper procedures for selection have been followed as laid down by Research Section. These committees meet once a month.
11. Research Section checks that the recommended candidate meets the essential qualifications and other criteria for the post and after approval from the research section selection committee issues an appointment letter. In case, a candidate does not qualify the minimum eligibility criteria, experience, qualification etc., he/she is denied appointment in the research project and the application is sent back to the PI.
12. The contract appointment is given from the date the selection as approved by the research section Selection Committee. This is usually the date recommended by the PI on the application. It must be noted however that the recommended date can never be prior to the date of application received at research section i.e. no person is allowed to be employed retrospectively.
13. At the time of joining, the project staff is required to submit the following:
    • Original degree/ certificates of qualification/date of birth/caste etc. for verification by the administrative wing, research section.
    • Undertaking and Non-disclosure form in a specific format
    • In case HRA is admissible as per the project funding, the employee needs to submit address proof/rent agreement.
    • Proof of experience documents need to be submitted as per the requirements of posts as mentioned in RRs (Annexure-I)
    • Other documents as per checklists given in Annexure-IV.
14. No person can be employed either as a daily wager or on part time basis.
15. No person can be employed out of contingency funds.
16. No TA or, any other allowances are given for interview or, for joining the contract job.