Join Our Research Mission
Shape the future of sustainability through cutting-edge AI research at IIT Gandhinagar
Our Vision
At the Sustainability Lab, we envision a world where artificial intelligence serves as a powerful force for environmental and social good. Our mission is to develop innovative, data-driven solutions that address the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time.
We believe in the transformative potential of AI to monitor environmental changes, optimize resource usage, improve healthcare accessibility, and create sustainable systems that benefit both people and the planet. Through rigorous research, collaborative partnerships, and real-world applications, we strive to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and meaningful societal impact.
Why Join Sustainability Lab?
Award-Winning Research
SIGEnergy Rising Star Award 2025, Leading PhD fellowships, MTech best thesis
Stellar Alumni Network
Graduates at Google DeepMind, Microsoft, CMU, NYU, UCSD
World-Class Resources
NVIDIA A100 GPUs, comprehensive computational infrastructure
Collaborative Culture
Excellence, respect, and clear communication valued
50+ Alumni Placed
424GB GPU Memory
6+ Years Research
25+ Publications
Learn More About Our Community
Meet Our Alumni Alumni Experiences Current Team Awards & Recognition Lab Culture Research Skills Bootcamp
Open Positions
Don’t see the perfect position? We welcome applications from passionate researchers at any time! Position listings may not reflect all current opportunities - exceptional candidates often create their own paths.
PhD Positions
We are always looking for strong PhD students! If you are passionate about AI for sustainability, we encourage you to reach out.
PhD in Computer Science & Engineering
Pursue cutting-edge research in AI for sustainability using state-of-the-art technologies including Large Language Models (LLMs), Vision-Language Models (VLMs), computer vision, and advanced ML techniques applied to real-world sustainability challenges.
Research Areas & Technologies:
- AI for Environmental Monitoring: Computer vision for satellite imagery analysis, LLMs for climate policy analysis
- Health Sensing & Digital Health: VLMs for medical imaging, ML for respiratory monitoring
- Energy Analytics: Time-series forecasting, smart grid optimization with deep learning
- Machine Learning for Social Good: Multi-modal models for sustainability applications
PhD Alumni: Dr. Rishiraj Adhikary — Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Cambridge with Prof. Cecilia Mascolo. Dr. Zeel B Patel — Postdoc at Microsoft Research India.
Interested candidates can write to Prof. Nipun Batra and apply through the official IIT Gandhinagar PhD admissions portal.
Postdoctoral Positions
Postdoctoral Researcher
Lead independent research in AI for sustainability using cutting-edge technologies including LLMs, VLMs, computer vision, and advanced ML for environmental and health applications.
Fellowship Applications Required: We primarily consider postdoc candidates who are interested in applying for fellowships such as the National Postdoc Fellowship scheme or other competitive funding opportunities.
Project Associate & Research Fellow Positions
Project Associate - I (Position 1)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 21, 2026
Project Associate - I position in the Sustainability Lab, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar under Prof. Nipun Batra.
Project Associate - I (Position 2)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 21, 2026
Project Associate - I position in the Sustainability Lab, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar under Prof. Nipun Batra.
6-Month Internships
6-Month Research Internships
Looking for a 6-month internship? Get in touch with the Principal Investigator (PI) directly to explore personalized opportunities in sustainability and AI research using cutting-edge ML technologies.
Perfect for: Students wanting deep, sustained research experience with flexible timelines and personalized mentorship.
Selection Process: Complete the selection task described in the application document. This helps us understand your interests and match you with appropriate research projects.
View Details & Selection Task Contact Prof. Nipun Batra View Our Resources
Summer Research Internships
Summer Research Internship (SRIP 2026)
Join our Summer Internship Program and work on exciting projects using cutting-edge AI technologies in the following domains:
- AI for Sustainability: Environmental monitoring with computer vision, climate solutions using LLMs, brick kiln detection
- AI/Sensing for Health: Respiratory monitoring, SpiroMask, JoulesEye technologies with VLMs and ML
- Exposition and Visualization: Data storytelling and interactive systems with modern AI tools
SRIP 2026: Applications typically open in February for summer programs. Check the IIT Gandhinagar SRIP Portal for updates. Our project codes were IP0NB0000019 and IP0NB0000020 in SRIP 2025.
Perfect for: Undergraduate and early graduate students seeking hands-on research experience in cutting-edge AI applications.
How to Apply
When writing to us, please include:
Essential Details: • Duration & Start Date: How long can you commit and when can you start? • CV/Resume: Your most recent version • Research Interests: Which areas excite you most?
Show Your Interest: • Papers: Mention 1-2 papers from our lab you’ve read and what interested you • Motivation: Why AI for sustainability? Why our lab specifically? • Background: Relevant coursework, projects, or experience
Pro Tip: Browse our publications first to understand our work. Quality of engagement matters more than lengthy emails!
New to research? No problem! We welcome first-time researchers and provide mentorship to help you grow. Check out our CS Research Methods Bootcamp for comprehensive training in research fundamentals.
What Our Alumni Say
“Working at Sustainability Lab gave me the foundation I needed for my role at Google DeepMind. The research experience and mentorship were invaluable.”
“From daunting first papers to award-winning research, the Sustainability Lab shaped not just my thesis but my confidence, curiosity, and career.”
“From debugging Pyro to publishing at a NeurIPS workshop, Sustainability Lab gave me not just research skills but a lifelong mentor and a second family.”
“The Sustainability Lab and Prof. Batra’s mentorship transformed me from a beginner into a confident data scientist — shaping both my technical foundation and professional path.”
“From learning ML fundamentals to publishing at BuildSys and landing my first data science role — the Sustainability Lab shaped not just my research, but my entire career.”
“Working with Sustainability Lab taught me discipline, purpose, and problem-solving — lessons that extend far beyond research and shape my professional life every day.”
“From my first paper to my Ph.D. at UMass Amherst, Sustainability Lab shaped not just my research skills but my entire mindset — from chasing tags to chasing growth.”
“Sustainability Lab turned my setbacks into stepping stones — from missing a foreign internship to publishing at NeurIPS and pursuing my master’s at Carnegie Mellon.”
“The Sustainability Lab shaped my journey from a curious learner to a resilient researcher — its mentorship and values continue to guide me at Carnegie Mellon University.”
“Joining the Sustainability Lab was the best decision of my journey at IIT Gandhinagar — it taught me perseverance, purpose, and what real research truly means.”
“My internship at the Sustainability Lab turned research into a truly rewarding experience — blending collaboration, curiosity, and real-world impact.”
“From curiosity-driven tinkering to real research, the Sustainability Lab shaped my journey from a high-school innovator to a globally-minded researcher.”
“The Sustainability Lab wasn’t just my starting point in research — it was where curiosity turned into clarity, and confidence into a career.”
Alumni Success Stories
Our graduates have gone on to amazing opportunities:
- Industry: Google DeepMind, Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, Skan.ai, CRED, Nykaa, Trading Technologies
- Academia: PhD programs at UMass Amherst, IIT Gandhinagar, Stony Brook; MS at Carnegie Mellon University, UC San Diego, Texas A&M University, NYU Tandon, UC Irvine, Caltech, ETH Zurich
- Recognition: Fulbright Fellows, Microsoft Research PhD Awards, PMRFs, Outstanding Research Gold Medals
Ready to Join?
Whether you’re interested in environmental monitoring, health sensing, or AI for social good, we have opportunities that match your passion.
Our lab culture emphasizes “less but better” - we focus on high-quality research that makes a real impact.
Join a lab where your research can change the world. Where every project matters. Where your growth is our priority.
The future of sustainability starts with you. 🌟
Past Openings
View Previous Research Positions
VSREP - Semester I 2025-26
Closed position: Visiting Students Research Engagement Programme for final year students from IITs, IISc, IISERs and NITs — semester-long research internship at IIT Gandhinagar.
Programme period: January 02, 2026 - April 30, 2026
Junior Research Fellow
Closed position: Junior or Senior Research Fellow in the Sustainability Lab, working with modern ML technologies including LLMs, computer vision, and VLMs for sustainability applications.
Target audience: Researchers seeking to make significant contributions to AI for sustainability with potential for co-authorship on high-impact publications.
Research Associate I Position
Closed position: Research Associate I in the Sustainability Lab contributing to high-impact, interdisciplinary research using cutting-edge ML technologies for domain applications.
Target audience: Recent graduates looking to gain research experience before pursuing higher studies or industry roles.
Junior/Senior Research Fellow
Closed position: Junior or Senior Research Fellow in the Sustainability Lab, working with modern ML technologies including LLMs, computer vision, and VLMs for sustainability applications.
Target audience: Researchers seeking to make significant contributions to AI for sustainability with potential for co-authorship on high-impact publications.