Research Chemist Vacancy at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

The Nepal Academy of Science and Technology has announced an opening for a Research Chemist to join its scientific workforce in Kathmandu. For chemists across Australia, this represents an unusual chance to contribute to South Asian research while bringing back fresh expertise to local labs. The position is open to both Nepali nationals and international applicants, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

NAST operates as Nepal's equivalent of bodies like CSIRO or ANSTO, supporting materials science to pharmaceutical analysis. The Research Chemist will work within a multidisciplinary team tackling projects funded by the Academy's annual grants programme. Researchers in Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane watch NAST listings closely because of the institution's growing partnerships with Australian universities, including memoranda with the Australian National University and the University of Queensland.

About the Hiring Institution

The Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, commonly NAST, was established in 1982 in Khumaltar, Lalitpur. It functions as an autonomous apex body that advises the Nepali government on science policy, runs research laboratories, and coordinates with global collaborators. Its mandate spans analytical method development, environmental monitoring, and phytochemistry of Himalayan medicinal plants.

NAST's analytical chemistry division has built a reputation for water quality monitoring in the Bagmati and Bishnumati river systems, as well as heavy metal screening in traditional Ayurvedic preparations. Chemists trained in Australian labs find the Academy's instrumentation familiar, with HPLC, GC-MS and atomic absorption spectrometers forming daily tools. PhD graduates from UNSW or Monash have previously taken up postdoctoral fellowships here and published joint papers with NAST researchers.

Scope of the Research Chemist Role

The successful applicant will lead independent and collaborative research projects, mentor junior technicians, and contribute to grant applications. Day-to-day tasks include designing experiments, interpreting spectroscopic data, writing reports in English, and presenting findings at monthly seminars. Some travel to field sites in the lower Himalayas is expected, particularly during the dry months between October and March.

Beyond bench work, the role involves a fair dinkum commitment to knowledge transfer. The Research Chemist is expected to train two junior staff members and co-supervise at least one postgraduate thesis through Tribhuvan University. Cross-disciplinary work with the biotechnology unit, which studies high-altitude microbial isolates, is encouraged and often leads to joint publications catalogued in open research networks alongside other scientific disciplines.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

Applicants should hold a Master of PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Sciences, or a closely related discipline. A minimum of three years of post-qualification research experience is required, ideally including published work in peer-reviewed journals. Familiarity with analytical instrumentation, method validation, and good laboratory practice is essential, along with a working command of statistical data analysis.

Nepali applicants with prior experience at the Central Department of Chemistry at Tribhuvan University are particularly encouraged to apply. International candidates, including those in Australia, must demonstrate eligibility to obtain a research visa and provide evidence of English proficiency. Previous fieldwork, perhaps conducted in the Australian Alps or the Kimberley, is viewed favourably because of comparable field conditions in mid-hill Nepal.

Salary, Benefits and Contract Terms

The position offers a competitive local package including a base salary, housing allowance in Kathmandu, and access to the Academy's on-site research facilities. The initial contract is for two years, with a possible extension based on performance and funding availability. Health insurance and annual leave entitlements follow Nepali public sector norms, though the Academy accommodates flexible working arrangements for staff with caregiving responsibilities.

For applicants based in Australia, the move involves a significant cost-of-living consideration, since salaries in Kathmandu differ markedly from those in Sydney or Melbourne. However, the Academy provides subsidised accommodation and covers relocation expenses, which softens the transition. Australian superannuation can typically be retained while working overseas, and many chemists arrange leave without pay from their home institutions for the duration of their contract.

How to Submit Your Application

Applications must be submitted electronically through the NAST careers portal and should include a cover letter, CV, list of publications, and contact details for two referees. The cover letter should address the candidate's fit with the Academy's current research priorities and outline a brief proposed research plan. Letters of recommendation from Australian supervisors, where relevant, carry weight with the selection panel.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview conducted in English, with technical questions focused on method validation, troubleshooting, and research ethics. Final selections are expected within eight weeks of the application deadline. Prospective applicants can register for updates through the Academy's website and are advised to begin gathering documentation early given processing times for Nepali research visas.

Pathways Back to Australia After the Contract

Many chemists who complete a stint at NAST return to Australia with strengthened publication records and field experience that boost their CVs for roles at CSIRO, ANSTO, or university research offices. The Academy's international reputation has grown steadily, and Australian employers increasingly view NAST experience as a marker of adaptability. Returning researchers often cite their Nepali fieldwork as a turning point in their careers.

Networking opportunities built during the contract tend to last well beyond the formal end date. Past NAST chemists have gone on to secure fellowships at the University of Melbourne, joined industry teams in Sydney, and consulted for environmental monitoring projects along the Murray-Darling basin. Alumni connections across South Asia and Australia also create pathways for future student exchanges, joint supervision, and collaborative funding bids through programmes like the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.

The deadline for the current intake closes in late October, with shortlisted candidates notified by mid-November. Australian applicants can begin by downloading the official job description from the NAST careers portal today, then drafting a one-page cover letter addressing the Academy's current research priorities and gathering academic transcripts plus referee contact details for submission within the next fortnight.