Research Associate, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Location: Karachi

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 the 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 Biological and Biomedical Sciences strives to achieve excellence in both teaching and research. The development and expansion of educational and thematic research programmes in innovative and relevant basic and applied research will take AKU to the next level on the international scene while benefiting the specific health care needs of Pakistan.

The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences invites applications for the position of Senior Research Assistant to work on the on the Swiss International-sponsored project Ref No IZSTZO-202612/1 entitled “the genetics of congenital hypogonadism in Pakistan”. This is a contractual position.

This is a grant-funded contractual position.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible to:

• provide assistance to the Principal Investigator in planning, managing, and conducting research projects by identifying research objectives and selecting appropriate methodologies
• conduct field sampling of families with genetic disorders and perform experiments using established protocols and techniques to collect accurate research data
• compile, tabulate, analyse, and interpret research data to support study objectives
• prepare research reports, manuscripts, presentations, and grant proposals for publication and dissemination
• assist students and laboratory staff in setting up and conducting laboratory sessions
• maintain accurate research records and ensure compliance with institutional, ethical, and laboratory safety guidelines
• coordinate research activities and liaise with internal and external stakeholders, as required.

Requirements

You should have:

• MS/MSc/BS (four-year) or an equivalent degree in Human Genetics, Biotechnology, or Molecular Biology from an HEC-recognised or reputable foreign university; an MPhil will be preferred
• at least one year of relevant experience in sampling families with genetic disorders, pedigree construction, clinical history taking, and molecular biology techniques, including PCR, cell culture, and molecular cloning
• sound knowledge of laboratory techniques and good laboratory practices
• the ability to manage multiple research projects and prioritise competing tasks effectively
• excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.