Research Associate, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Location: Karachi, Pakistan
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.
This is a grant-funded contractual position.
Job Role / Responsibilities:You will be responsible to:- assist faculty in research activities, including developing protocols, conducting experiments, analysing data, interpreting results and maintaining records
- raise PRs and MSRs for research supplies and consumables, liaise with the Purchasing and AKU Warehouse departments to ensure timely delivery of requested items and maintain related records
- assist in preparing write-ups, manuscripts, research reports, presentations, research applications and abstracts for publications and grant funding
- tabulate and correlate research data and assist in interpreting results
- prepare drafts of results, including manuscripts, presentations and research proposals
- assist assigned faculty in planning and organising lab-based teaching and training activities for graduate (MPhil and PhD) students and interns
- engage in professional development activities, including laboratory training and participation in departmental research and academic forums to stay updated with current trends and practices.
Eligibility Criteria / Requirements:You should have:- a graduate degree (MSc or MPhil) in biological sciences, molecular or cell biology, or a relevant field
- at least two years of research-related work experience
- hands-on experience in molecular and cell biology techniques, including tissue culture, DNA and RNA extraction, experimental assays and animal handling, breeding and genotyping
- sound knowledge of basic sciences with the ability to support laboratory-based research and experimentation
- competence in the use of quantitative and qualitative research tools and relevant software
- the ability to operate biological sciences laboratory equipment
- proficiency in MS Office and statistical analysis software
- excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
- the ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively in a fast-paced environment
- a proven ability to work with a reasonable degree of autonomy while contributing effectively within a team.
Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.
