Assistant Manager - Laboratory, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (CRM)

Entity: The Aga Khan University Medical College

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:

The Aga Khan University Medical College (MC) was established in 1983, as a part of the Aga Khan University’s Faculty of Health Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan. It works closely with the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the University Hospital to produce excellence in educational programs and medical practice.

Faculty, students, and staff are devoted to the highest standard of education, scholarship, and research. The faculty also provides the highest level of patient care through collaboration with various healthcare professionals and the use of state-of-the-art equipment to support diagnosis and treatment in the University Hospital.

The Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (CRM) is a part of the MC. The Aga Khan University (AKU) has partnered with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) - an internationally renowned Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, in developing and evolving The Aga Khan University Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (CRM).

The Centre has a state-of-the-art facility for multi-disciplinary researchers to undertake cutting-edge research on stem cell and regenerative medicine. CRM nurtures young researchers (scientists and clinical scientists) in an environment that fosters learning and innovation.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopting appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between the 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.

CRM is inviting applications for the position of Assistant Manager from outstanding and ambitious candidates with experience in laboratory management including core facilities. 

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Manager, CRM Lab and Core Facility, the Director, Research & Teaching Laboratories, Medical College, and the Director CRM, the Assistant Manager Laboratory will primarily be responsible for:

• managing the operations of labs and core facilities
• conducting bench research in collaboration with other research groups of the CRM
• overlooking the operations of the CRM laboratory such as preparation of SOPs, maintenance of databases, ordering of consumables, reagents, and capital equipment, and conducting lab safety surveys with the Manager, CRM Lab, and Core Facilities, and the Director, Research & Teaching Laboratories, Medical College
• ensuring the smooth functionality of the CRM Lab and core facility such as the preparation of SOPs, and cell line database
• conducting lab safety surveys with the Manager lab
• ordering of capital equipment under the supervision of the Manager, CRM lab, and meeting with different vendors for quotations and maintenance of equipment
• communicating with the vendors for new products
• quarterly maintenance of the lab equipment
• managing and running the FACS and Confocal Core Facilities
• assisting the Manager CRM lab & the Director, Research & Teaching Laboratories, Medical College in the expansion of CRM
• revising costing of core facilities annually with the core team
• being part of the recruitment cycle for the core staff
• maintaining inventory and ordering of consumables and reagents of laboratory supplies
• preparing purchase requisitions (MSR/PR), release of payment, and petty cash payment
• for supplies and consumables for CRM lab & core facilities and review GL quarterly
• being part of the CRM lab Institutional Risk Management system
• being part of the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (GMAC)
• involving in the development of commercial products (ECL, competent cells & cell lines).

Requirements:

Candidates must have:

• MSc in a biologically relevant field and at least eight plus years of work experience in an academic research institution and core facilities
• at least five years of laboratory management experience in a research facility
• strong biological research background
• strong management, coordination, and organizational skills
• ability to work in a challenging environment
• strong interpersonal, communication, people management, and liaison skills
• ability to strategically plan and manage budget
• ability to work effectively with team members
• project management skills include the ability to track and manage inventory
• excellent multitasking skills
• knowledge and understanding of computer-aided inventory/administration application systems.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.