About Cheenta
Cheenta Academy is an Olympiad and research-oriented mathematics and science institution, serving approximately 1,000 students globally. The institution runs three converging tracks: Olympiad training (age 6+), research and publication (age 14+), and leadership programs connecting students with real-world problems (age 14+). Cheenta operates an academic management platform, Panini8, built in-house. This role sits at the centre of what Cheenta does: teaching physics through interesting, non-routine problems, and doing genuine research alongside it. It is a role for someone who enjoys problem solving for its own sake and intends to build a research career.
Role Summary
The Assistant Faculty and Researcher carries two connected responsibilities. As faculty, the role teaches nonroutine physics to Cheenta's students and carries the preparation, grading, and feedback that good teaching requires. As researcher, the role contributes to research projects under the direction and mentoring of senior faculty. The position is designed for a strong problem solver who wants to grow into higher academic work. Substantial in-house training is provided — so problem-solving aptitude and the willingness to learn matter more than prior teaching credentials.
Responsibilities
A. Teaching — Classroom and Sessions (20 hours / week)
- Teach scheduled physics sessions, working from non-routine, problem-first material rather than rote drill.
- Lead students through olympiad-style physics problems — mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, waves and optics, and modern physics — building reasoning, not just answers.
- Adapt pace and depth to the level of each group, from younger Olympiad entrants to advanced students.
- Keep sessions engaging and rigorous, and maintain a record of what each group has covered.
B. Research — Mentored Projects (10 hours / week)
- Contribute to active research projects under the direction and mentoring of senior faculty.
- Read, work through, and present relevant problems, papers, and results as guided by your mentor.
- Maintain clear, well-organised notes and write-ups of research work.
- Take research direction from senior faculty; this is a mentored, contributing role rather than an independent one.
C. Teaching-Related Work (10 hours / week)
- Prepare problem sets, session plans, and supporting material ahead of class.
- Grade student work and assessments, and give clear, specific written feedback.
- Track student progress and flag students who need additional support.
- Coordinate with other faculty on shared groups, content, and the academic calendar.
Teaching — classroom and sessions: 20 hrs.
Mentored research projects: 10 hrs.
Teaching-related work — preparation, grading, feedback: 10 hrs.
Defined weekly commitment: 40 hrs
Required Qualifications
- A Master's degree in Physics, or near completion. Exceptional Bachelor's-level candidates with a strong problem-solving record will be considered.
- Demonstrated strength in, and enthusiasm for, non-routine problem solving. A formal olympiad record is not required — what matters is genuine problem-solving ability and the appetite to learn.
- A genuine interest in research and in pursuing higher academic study over time.
- Clear spoken and written English, and the confidence to teach live.
- Willingness to work the in-office night shift in Kolkata.
Preferred Qualifications
- Any experience teaching or mentoring physics — tutoring, coaching, or classroom work — is a plus, but not expected.
- Research exposure: project work, a thesis, publications, or sustained reading beyond coursework.
- Familiarity with LaTeX for typesetting problems and write-ups.
- Comfort with the experimental and computational side of physics — laboratory reasoning, data analysis, or numerical tools — is welcome.
- Basic familiarity with Bengali in addition to English, for communication with younger students.
- Comfort with online or blended teaching tools and academic platforms.
Compensation and Benefits
- ₹27,000 – ₹40,000 per month, in-hand, set by skill and experience.
- This is a night-shift position and carries the higher salary band.
- Health insurance for the employee.
- Statutory benefits as applicable.
Working Conditions
Full-time and office-based at 22 Lake Place, Kolkata 700029. This is a Kolkata, in-office position only. The role follows the night-shift structure, which carries the higher salary band:
NIGHT SHIFT · HIGHER BAND 11:00 PM – 8:00 AM IST
Higher salary band. Aligned to overseas student sessions.
SUPPORT & HANDOVER Daily faculty handover
Coordinated with the day-shift team on shared groups.
- Substantial in-house training is provided in Cheenta's problem-first teaching method and in research practice; new faculty are trained, not expected to arrive fully formed.
- During probation, the working week is six days, including the weekend, with one scheduled week-off on a weekday.
- Six-month probation with a structured review at month three and month six.
- Equipment, software access, and reference material are provided by the organisation.
Growth and Academic Mentoring
Faculty at Cheenta receive structured mentoring toward higher academic goals. Senior faculty guide reading, research direction, and applications to PhD and graduate programs — in India, the United States, Europe, and elsewhere. For a strong problem solver who wants a research career, this role is built to be a step toward it, not a detour from it.
Scope and Limits of the Role
- Research direction and project design rest with senior faculty. This role contributes and learns under mentoring; it is not an independent research position.
- Teaching follows Cheenta's problem-first approach — non-routine physics, reasoning over rote. Curriculum and pedagogy direction stay with senior faculty.
How to Apply
Send the following to [email protected]:
- A current CV.
- A short note (200 words or fewer) on why problem solving and research appeal to you, and where you would like your academic career to go.
- One solved-problem write-up: choose a non-routine physics problem you enjoy and explain your solution clearly, in about one page.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a short problem-solving and teaching assessment, followed by an interview with senior faculty and the Director.
- Applications without a solved-problem write-up will not be reviewed.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: ₹27,000.00 - ₹40,000.00 per month
Location:
- Kolkata, West Bengal (Required)
Shift availability:
Work Location: In person
