The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, and the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), a unit of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), have announced a collaboration to advance research and training in the emerging field of space medicine and Bioastronautics in India.
SCTIMST and HSFC have signed an implementing agreement for initiating a Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) programme in Bioastronautics, which is the first programme of its kind in the country. The agreement was signed by Sanjay Behari, Director, SCTIMST, and Dinesh Kumar Singh, Director, HSFC.
V. Narayanan, chairman, ISRO, and Kris Gopalakrishnan, president, SCTIMST were present on the occasion. ISRO is progressing towards its ambitious human spaceflight programme through the ‘Gaganyaan’ mission. Human space travel and prolonged stay in space pose several challenges to astronauts due to factors such as microgravity, cosmic radiation, isolation, and other space environmental conditions.
Understanding the impact of these conditions on human physiology and developing appropriate biomedical technologies are essential for ensuring astronaut safety during future human space missions.
SCTIMST and HSFC had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 24 April 2025 for cooperation in the field of space medicine research related to various human space missions of ISRO. As part of this collaboration, a Centre for Space Medicine Research had been established at SCTIMST in November last year to facilitate joint academic and research activities between the two organisations.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme in Bioastronautics is a two-year programme jointly conducted by SCTIMST and HSFC. The selected Fellows will undergo specialised training and carry out research activities at both institutions. The programme is designed to provide comprehensive understanding of the changes occurring in cellular and organ functions of humans during space travel and to enable Fellows to undertake research addressing critical scientific questions related to human space missions.
Candidates with postgraduate medical degrees, super-speciality medical qualifications and PhD degrees in relevant areas are eligible to apply for the programme. Two fellowship positions will be advertised every year, beginning with the July 2026 academic session. The advertisement, detailed curriculum, and further information regarding the programme are available on the SCTIMST website
Published – July 18, 2026 07:27 pm IST
