Associate, Research Office

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 and strengthen research administration, programme coordination, data management, and operational systems. The Office works across the University to facilitate effective research processes, stakeholder engagement, reporting, and continuous improvement.

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 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 Associate, Research Office.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Manager, the Associate will support the Research Office in the effective coordination and implementation of its operational and research administration functions. The incumbent will provide administrative, programme, data management, grants systems, stakeholder coordination, meeting management, and reporting support. The role will also contribute to leveraging artificial intelligence and digital tools to enhance productivity, data quality, and efficiency across Research Office processes.

Specifically, you will be responsible to:

• Support the day-to-day functions and administrative activities of the Research Office.

• Assist with data validation, data entry, data cleaning, data management, and uploading of information across relevant systems and portals.

• Provide administrative and logistical support for Research Office programmes, including meeting coordination, scheduling, procurement/order arrangements, and stakeholder coordination.

• Coordinate with relevant departments and stakeholders, including NFSD, Procurement, Finance, HR, and other units, to facilitate the effective planning and execution of meetings, seminars, workshops, and other Research Office activities.

• Assist in preparing meeting materials, maintaining records, taking minutes, documenting key decisions and action items, and following up on agreed actions.

• Assist in tracking programme activities, deliverables, timelines, and key milestones and provide timely updates to relevant team members.

• Develop and maintain working knowledge of grants management systems and reporting tools to extract relevant data and support analysis and reporting.

• Explore and apply appropriate artificial intelligence and digital tools to enhance productivity and efficiency within Research Office processes, while ensuring compliance with AKU policies, guidelines, and approved practices.

• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and databases to support effective programme management, reporting, and institutional knowledge management.

• Provide general administrative and coordination support to Research Office initiatives as required.

• Carry out any other relevant tasks assigned by the Manager or designee to support departmental priorities.

Requirements:

You should have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Administration or a related field from a recognized institution.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience in administration, programme coordination, research administration, or a related field.
• Excellent English language skills with strong writing and editing skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Outlook, Excel, Word, and Power BI.
• Strong interpersonal, coordination, and organizational skills, with the ability to work comfortably with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records, databases, and documentation.
• Ability and willingness to learn and work with grants management systems, reporting tools, digital platforms, and online portals.
• Interest in and willingness to explore artificial intelligence and digital tools to improve productivity, efficiency, and data quality.
• A collaborative mindset and strong commitment to quality, accuracy, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.