Senior Research Assistant, Department of Community Health Sciences

Senior Research Assistant, Department of Community Health Sciences

Entity: Aga Khan University

Location: Matiari

Introduction

Aga 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 Community Health Sciences (CHS) is the leading unit of its type in Pakistan, recognized regionally and internationally for the relevance, quality, and extent of its work in support of public health and the development of primary health care systems. It comprises of five major operational sections: Epidemiology & biostatistics, Health policy & management, Population & reproductive health, Environmental health & climate change, and non-communicable diseases & mental health. This is a grant-funded contractual position.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

• conduct field surveys, interviews, and community observations while ensuring data accuracy and integrity
• utilize data collection tools such as GPS devices, tablets, and digital recorders
• engage with local authorities, community members, and stakeholders to facilitate smooth data collection
• ensure confidentiality and ethical compliance throughout the research process
• conduct home visits, record interviews, and log participant data into the system
• identify eligible participants, provide counseling, and administer informed consent
• manage data, resolve queries, complete CRFs, and maintain participant records
• liaise with supervisors and research coordinators for study-related activities
• facilitate team and community meetings, ensuring effective communication and coordination
• prepare and submit periodic reports on fieldwork, data quality, and project progress
• ensure the implementation of project SOPs and field guidelines
• support the study coordinator with reporting and documentation tasks.

You should have:

• at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• one to two years of relevant experience, preferably in community settings, hospitals, or research facilities
• strong interpersonal and communication skills
• proficiency in MS Word and Excel; familiarity with digital data collection tools
• strong report writing and documentation skills
• time management and task prioritization abilities
• ability to work independently and within teams under pressure
• willingness to travel and work in diverse community settings.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.