Research Associate (Lab), Paediatrics & Child Health -MC

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 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 Outreach and Research Programme of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health has ten community-based field sites across Pakistan (including four in Karachi) and focuses on research for betterment of women and child health. The Department has a Nutritional Research Laboratory as well as an Infectious Disease Research Laboratory that cater to the needs of its research projects. It has well-acclaimed work to its credit both at the national and international level.

The Research Associate will serve as a technical expert in laboratory sciences, supporting research projects, laboratory operations, quality standards, procurement processes, project reporting, and staff development within the department.

Specific responsibilities include to:

• →serve as technical expert in specific area related to epidemiological study designs and resolve technical problems related to them
• →review lab test proposals of all new projects and ensure the availability of lab resources, evaluate supply options for the implementation of tests and new SOPs
• →keep principal investigator/project supervisor(s) updated about the progress of the work at decided frequency or about any problem that may arise
• →ensure the completeness, proper archiving of specimens, isolation and completion and keeping track of CRFs and/or answer questionnaires from granting agencies
• →actively participate in the optimisation of new lab tests and methodologies as per project requirement
• →prepare and manage purchase orders in accordance with all lab research projects, monitor internal and external QC checks of all lab procedures and take preventive and corrective actions in case of non-conformities
• →assess, manage and mitigate risks in the procurement process
• →monitor and track purchase lab requisitions for the timely procurement and delivery of reagents
• →coordinate with purchase and company vendors in identifying the most appropriate equipment for the lab
• →arrange lab equipment and supplies keeping in mind current and future requirements of all labs for related research projects by conducting market research
• →maintain all procurement records accurately
• →operate in a cost-effective manner while ensuring the quality and timeliness of delivery
• →participate actively in the teaching of junior staff regarding lab techniques, safety, work ethics and discipline
• →monitor and maintain storage, record-keeping and data entry of all research project-related specimens
• →ensure preparation, coordination and execution of sample shipment as per research projects’ requirements
• →prepare and present weekly and monthly project reports and presentations in research meetings
• →actively work with the Lab Manager, Outreach and Research, to maintain discipline among lab staff and compliance with institutional and departmental policies and procedures
• →perform all other duties assigned from time to time by the principal investigators in connection with the research project(s).

Requirements:

You should have:
•    Masters / BS or equivalent 16-year education
•    5 to 7 years of work experience in Laboratory Sciences
•    sound knowledge of GLP requirements for research projects
•    ability to perform complex molecular diagnostic tests without supervision
•    sound knowledge of biosafety standards
•    excellent team player and staff management experience
•    strong communication and interpersonal skills to maintain harmony in the section.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.

This is a close-ended position.

Disclaimer: The Aga Khan University is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment which is free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AKU are based on business needs, job requirements and individual's qualifications and experience, without regard to race, colour, caste or creed, national, social or ethnic origin, gender (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification). AKU does not discriminate among the job candidates on account of any of these characteristics.