Instructor (Research), Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Instructor (Research), Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

EntityMedical College

LocationKarachi, Pakistan

IntroductionAga Khan University chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the provision of education, research, and health care of international standards relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities and well-equipped diagnostic services. The University currently has teaching sites in Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan, and is a major component of Aga Khan Development Network.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

The Department of Paediatrics and Child Health is committed to providing state-of-the-art clinical services to children. It imparts high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate training and subspecialty training and research opportunities. Besides the outpatient clinics, the inpatient set-up consists of a paediatric ward with two units comprising 84 beds, a state of art Neonatal Intensive care unit with the latest equipment and protocols in place, and a capacity of 24 high acuity beds with one is to one staffing along with 10 bedded level 2 care monitored cots. The Neonatal section offers a 2-year Neonatal fellowship training and is one the oldest and established fellowship programs with 6 fellows. In addition to care for sick babies, the section also provides services along with Pediatric consultants to the Well babies in the post-natal wards.

This is a grant funded contractual position. 

ResponsibilitiesYou will be responsible for providing research and technical support to the department faculty by supervising and leading laboratory bench work, contributing to writing grant proposals, initiating research activities, managing research projects, and communicating with local and international collaborating departments under the guidance of supervising faculty. You will also liaise with current researchers to identify and develop future research and funding initiatives, as well as to develop and manage current and future research administration. Specifically, you will be required to:

• design, supervise, and lead laboratory-based benchwork
• write and design Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for laboratory experiments related to molecular and cell biology, as well as serology
• lead the research group, supervise laboratory experiments, and collect, analyze, and interpret data
• procure supplies and coordinate with AKU purchase and vendors
• provide research and technical support to supervising faculty in developing grant proposals, initiating research activities,
• managing research projects, and collaborating with other departments under the guidance of the supervisor
• liaise with key partners to monitor activities in various field operations and conduct monitoring visits to ensure data quality
• contribute directly to developing a research strategy for ongoing projects and prepare proposals to secure funding
• identify logistics for survey teams with the support of relevant departments and delegate tasks among teams for various project activities
• coordinate with the data management unit regarding data-related issues and updates
• collaborate with the team on key research talking points
• track and report on research activities, progress, and outcomes
• prepare and compile periodic progress reports and present study results as required
• conduct periodic reviews and evaluations of the efficiency of research efforts in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders
• participate in capacity-building workshops with the supervisor, conduct research, and publish papers in academic journals
• liaise with current researchers to identify and develop future research and funding initiatives, and to develop and manage current and future research administration.

RequirementsYou should have:

• a Master’s degree or equivalent in biological sciences with a strong background in laboratory-based sciences and evidence of scholarly output
• at least four to five years of bench experience, preferably in a cell, molecular biology, or serology laboratory
• excellent knowledge of research methodologies and data analysis techniques
• excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and in teams, and to establish harmonious working relationships in the workplace
• outstanding ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and meet stringent deadlines
• ability to assess critical situations and provide analytical solutions
• capability to mentor junior staff and contribute to their training and development
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex ideas and information clearly and meaningfully to various stakeholders
• proficiency in scientific grant writing for international and national agencies
• proficiency in computer applications, particularly MS Office and other relevant software packages for data entry and analysis
• demonstrated scholarly output in the form of scientific papers, presentations, and reports.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.

Disclaimer:The Aga Khan University is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment which is free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AKU are based on business needs, job requirements and individual’s qualifications and experience, without regard to race, colour, caste or creed, national, social or ethnic origin, gender (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification). AKU does not discriminate among the job candidates on account of any of these characteristics.