Research Specialist
Department: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Entity: Medical College
Introduction:
The Aga Khan University was found in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private university, Aga Khan University is a not-for-profit institution and an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. Starting in 2000, the University expanded to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom and Afghanistan. AKU began life as a health-sciences university.
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Aga Khan University is a unique/distinguish establishment which serves the clinical laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital with academic interest. This department is heavily engaged in undergraduate, postgraduate and technologist training programs. It provides professional training for higher degree in four major areas of Pathology (Chemical Pathology, Hematology, Histopathology, and Microbiology). Currently, there are approximately 61 Faculty, including 3 part time, 2 visiting faculty members, and 41 Residents.
Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of Research Specialist Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. This study aims to assess the impact a symptomatic vivax malaria infection has on G6PD activity that will be conducted in healthcare settings of Karachi and Thatta.
This is a grant-funded contractual position.
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.
Responsibilities:
You will be responsible to:
- Develop/maintain very good understanding of the study protocol and related study instruments
- Liaise and coordinate study requirements with relevant units and departments of the institution, in line with AKU institutional policies
- Observe, troubleshoot, and report to higher management with solutions of identified problems for efficient performance at field sites, liaison with community stakeholders and project staff to ensure smooth running of project activities within the project settings
- Organize and/or administer the informed consent process in conjunction with the PI
- Where relevant, the study coordinator may disburse investigational product upon written authorization from the PI and provide relevant teaching with respect to its administration.
- Maintain study documentation as per protocol and GCP requirements (screening, subject
- Recruitment, investigational drug accountability, enrolment, monitoring and study visit,
- Adverse/serious adverse events etc.)
- Assist in preparing (as relevant) and maintaining regulatory and administrative study documents in accordance with applicable regulations, institutional requirements, and ICH GCP guidelines
- Drafting and reporting SAE, annual/periodic reports to regulatory bodies and sponsor
- Facilitate all start-up and close out requirements of the study
- Coordinate and provide patient care in compliance with protocol requirements specific to patients
- Review/monitor patients for changes such as in health status, response to investigational product, adverse events, compliance in use of investigational product,
- Concomitant medication use, protocol compliance
- Provide laboratory support services including phlebotomy and collection/handling of required specimens using standard techniques.
- Maintain strict patient confidentiality according to institutional regulations and applicable law.
- Communicate with and update the study investigator(s), regularly with respect to patient progress, health status and any issues; as well, with study sponsors, relevant institutional staff, faculty, and clinical monitors to ensure effective clinical trial implementation and progress
- Schedule and participate in relevant sponsor/other monitoring / audits and activities as directed
- Contribute in the planning, development an implementation of staff/faculty training and capacity building under the direction of the supervisors.
- Prepare and manage the duty rosters of all field staff on holidays or during city disturbances
- Work closely with administrative staff to ensure discipline, sufficient supplies and availability of project staff at the field sites on daily basis.
Requirements:
You should have:
- Masters in Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Sociology, Public Health, Health Policy or equivalent
- At least 3 years’ experience in related field
- Demonstrate sound working knowledge & proficiency in human clinical trial processes,
- Excellent interpersonal & communication skills
- Demonstrate strong critical thinking abilities, Organizational and management skills
- Demonstrate teamwork, maturity, ability to work independently and versatility to work
- In a variety of related roles such as Support lab/bio-specimen processing, data management
- Excellent organizational capabilities and ability to handle diverse set of tasks for multiple
- Studies simultaneously
- Proficiency in the use of computers and related Office software
Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.
