Entity: Aga Khan University
Location: Karachi

Introduction

Aga Khan University (AKU), a private, self-governing international university chartered in 1983, is a global leader in health sciences education and research in the developing world. With campuses and teaching sites across Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan, AKU is a key component of the Aga Khan Development Network.

The Research Office serves as the central coordinating entity that supports the University’s vision to conduct impactful research, ensure compliance with institutional and funder requirements, and strengthen research governance and grant management systems.

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.

Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of Assistant Manager/Associate, Research Office.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Research Office, the Assistant Manager/Associate will provide programmatic and administrative support for the Research Office’s intramural portfolio and coordinate funding initiatives, grant administration, stakeholder engagement, and related programmes.

Specifically, you will be responsible to:

• Exploring intramural portfolios at other universities and making recommendations on new intramural opportunities for AKU.

• Conceptualizing intramural initiatives in consultation with the supervisor.

• Oversee research funding processes and ensure timely institutional approvals in Coordinate and administer the intramural research funding

• Benchmark intramural funding models at peer universities and support the development and refinement of new funding initiatives aligned with AKU’s research priorities.

• Conduct information sessions and workshops and provide guidance to faculty and students on intramural grant requirements, policies, and application processes.

• Coordinate the AKU Research Office Early Career Academy (RISE Programme), including programme administration, stakeholder communication, and follow-up.

• Maintain and monitor awarded grants in the Pure Award Management Module, including tracking, reporting, outcome monitoring, and Return on Investment (ROI) analysis.

• Support committees, stakeholder engagements, communications, reports, and continuous improvement initiatives related to the intramural portfolio.

• Publish at least one article annually highlighting an intramural initiative of the AKU Research Office and perform any other relevant task assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

You should have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a relevant field from a recognized institution; Masters is preferred.
• At least five years of mid- to senior-level executive support experience in the higher education, corporate, development, or related sector.
• At least three (3) years of relevant experience in research administration, preferably within a higher education or research environment.
• Demonstrated experience in programme coordination, grant administration, stakeholder engagement, and administrative management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with strong interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with a proactive approach and willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.