Postdoctoral Fellow

Postdoctoral Fellow

Entity: Aga Khan University – Institute for Educational Development

Location: Karachi/ Gilgit/ Chitral

Introduction

The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) invites applications for its Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme, a career development opportunity for early-career researchers who have completed their PhD within the last three years. Fellows will be appointed under one of the four fellowship themes identified for the 2027 cycle and will work closely with a senior faculty mentor.

Through a combination of research, teaching, and academic engagement, Fellows will strengthen their academic and professional skills while contributing to work that is relevant to educators, practitioners, and policymakers. Fellows who demonstrate strong performance during the programme may be considered for future faculty or research positions at AKU-IED, subject to institutional needs and available opportunities.

Aga Khan University, chartered in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private international University, is committed to the provision of education, research, and health care based on international standards relevant to Pakistan and the region. AKU is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding and aims to adopt appropriate standards for ensuring and promoting a respectful relationship with and between all 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.

Themes for 2027

For the 2027 cycle, applications are invited in the following four themes.

Duration of Fellowship:

Jan/Feb to Oct 2027 (may be extended to 12 months)

Responsibilities

As a Post-Doctoral Fellow, you will primarily focus on research within your announced theme. You will work independently to develop, lead, and contribute to your research agenda while aligning your work with the priorities of the theme.

You may be required to:

•     Plan, collect, and analyse research data, and share findings through reports, presentations, and at least one manuscript submitted to a peer-reviewed journal based on your thesis or new research

•     Co-develop and submit at least one grant or funding proposal with your host mentor

•     Deliver teaching sessions or provide academic support as needed

•     Present your work at least once through the Institute's seminar series

•     Actively participate in the Institute's academic activities and contribute to its day-to-day scholarly community 

Who can apply?

•     Holder of a PhD (awarded or successfully defended with only minor revisions pending) within the last three years, in Education, Social/ Natural Sciences with a strong component of Education.

•     Willing to be based at either AKU-IED-Karachi, PDC-Chitral or PDCN-Gilgit for the duration of the Fellowship.

What Fellows Receive

•     Market competitive monthly remuneration will be offered

•     A structured, mentored pathway into academic life, guided by a senior faculty

•     Hands-on experience across research, teaching, grant writing, and course development

•     Visibility within the University’s research community, including seminar presentations

•     A genuine pathway toward future faculty or research-staff positions at AKU-IED

How to Apply

•     A cover letter describing your qualifications, research interests, and reasons for applying, in relation to your chosen theme (maximum 2 pages, approx. 1,000 words)

•     CV, including a full list of publications

•     A brief outline of research proposal in one of the four announced themes (maximum 1,500 words excluding references). Outline should indicate a research question and methodology.

•     Your doctoral thesis abstract

•     Two references, of which one must be a current or former PhD supervisor

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