Research Specialist, Department of Medicine

Research Specialist, Department of Medicine

Entity: Aga Khan University

Location: Karachi

Introduction to the Aga Khan University:

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programs and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.

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.

Job Roles / Responsibilities:

The Research Specialist will lead the technical implementation of the project, ensuring alignment with research design, methodology, and established objectives. This includes overseeing data collection, management, and analysis to maintain quality and integrity. The Research Specialist will train and mentor project staff, develop monitoring frameworks, and liaise with stakeholders to address challenges and ensure the smooth execution of the project. Additionally, they will prepare progress reports, technical briefs, and presentations for various stakeholders and serve as the primary point of contact between field teams and the project core team (PI and co-investigators).

Specifically, you will be responsible to:

• Lead the technical implementation of the project, ensuring research design, methodology, and execution align with established protocols and objectives.
• Oversee data collection, management, and analysis to maintain data quality and integrity.
• Train and mentor project staff and community health workers in research methodologies, ethical considerations, and data collection techniques.
• Develop and implement monitoring frameworks to track progress, measure outcomes, and ensure accountability.
• Build liaison with the community and other stakeholders, addressing operational challenges and providing solutions to ensure smooth project implementation.
• Prepare detailed progress reports, technical briefs, and presentations for donors, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between field teams and the project core team.
• Address ad-hoc challenges that may arise during project implementation.
• Update stakeholders on emerging issues or modifications in project scope or timelines.

Requirements:

You must have:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (preferably Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Policy Management, Public Health, Social Sciences).
• Experience in community-based projects is preferable.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in relevant analytical software and tools for data tracking and reporting.

Note:  Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.