Research Specialist, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Research Specialist, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Entity:Medical College

Location: Pakistan

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. In the study titled: “Viral surveillance and pathogen discovery Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition Site in Pakistan”. This study aims to serve as a surveillance system for emerging pathogens of pandemic potential.

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 should be responsible to:

• Ensuring smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of research and data collection activities. Patient recruitment for the project, obtaining and filling patient consent & data form. Collection of samples for patients recruited following national guidelines.
• Patient recruitment for the project, obtaining and filling patient consent & data form.
• Collection of samples for patients recruited following national guidelines.
• Maintaining inventory of supplies Personal Protective Equipment at the field site.
• Transporting samples to the laboratory under controlled conditions.
• Responsible for aliquoting and storing samples.
• Perform PCR & Sequencing.
• Perform routine and complex molecular testing including RNA extraction and PCR.
• Use of Sequencing based technologies i-e Next Generation Sequencing for investigation of Pathogen genetics.
• Running NGS/WGS assays with full confidence through the workflow.
• Helping with data collection and entry.
• Management, compilation & analysis of research data.
• Liaison with faculty for analysis of research data.
• Assisting in preparing reports, manuscripts & abstracts for publication/presentation as required.

Requirements:

• Master's (MSc or MPhil) in Microbiology with 5years of related work experience
• Previous experience of bench research in the areas of clinical microbiology, infectious diseases is preferred
• Good research skills
• Should have training & knowledge of Biosafety for working with infectious pathogens
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good English language competency (written and oral)
• Ability to work independently

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.