Norio Kikuchi received his BSc in physics from the University of Tokyo in 2000, picked up his DPhil in theoretical physics from Oxford in 2003, and then moved on to Germany for postdoctoral research. Then he did something surprising.

Although he had several offers from the United States and Europe as well as his native Japan, he joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore as a postdoc. Since last August he has worked with a group studying soft-condensed matter. He makes just US$625 a month, much less than he would receive elsewhere. (The cost of living is lower, though, and the IISc provides housing.)

An increasing number of young scientists are attracted to India, despite lean pay cheques. Kikuchi was drawn by the chance to work with renowned condensed-matter physicist Sriram Ramaswamy. “I like Indian culture and food, and my artist wife loves India too,” says Kikuchi. “That is also an important factor.”

“We still encourage Indian students to go abroad for postdoctoral training,” says Jayaraman Srinivasan, head of the IISc Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, “and many come back. At the same time, we want researchers from other countries to come and see what our institutes can offer.” Nine postdocs have joined the IISc under a new Centenary Post-doctoral Fellowships scheme, which has received applications from other countries. Kikuchi is the first foreigner chosen. “Once the scheme gets visibility, more foreign researchers will come,” says Srinivasan, whose centre already has four postdocs from France through a separate bilateral scheme. The IISc can provide 50 postdocs, says associate director Narayanaswamy Balakrishnan — more if funds become available. In two years, it will open a hostel for 100 postdocs.

Other institutions are taking the IISc's cue. This month, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which runs more than 30 institutes, will start offering fellowships for biomedical scientists in developing countries, inviting them to work in Indian institutes and laboratories. Kanikaram Satyanarayana, deputy chief of the ICMR, says it plans to offer five fellowships a year, each lasting for one to six months with return airfare paid. One aim is better 'south to south' cooperation.

“Here I have enough time to think in a creative atmosphere, which perhaps results from Indian peoples' ways of living,” says Kikuchi. “I also can focus on my work, without any unnecessary politics and paper work.”