Post Doc Fellow: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

• Introduction:

  The Aga Khan University was found in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private university, Aga Khan University is a not-for-profit institution and an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. Starting in 2000, the University expanded to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom and Afghanistan. AKU began life as a health-sciences university. The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Aga Khan University is a unique/distinguish establishment which serves the clinical laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital with academic interest. This department is heavily engaged in undergraduate, postgraduate and technologist training programs. It provides professional training for higher degree in four major areas of Pathology (Chemical Pathology, Hematology, Histopathology, and Microbiology). Currently, there are approximately 61 Faculty, including 3 part time, 2 visiting faculty members, and 41 Residents. Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of, Post Doc Fellow Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Malaria elimination in Pakistan comes at a critical time in the global malaria elimination plan. The plan envisions the development of a Malaria Elimination Consortium (MEC) which will bring together technical, program, and policy expertise of the nations into formal structures with roles and responsibilities assigned by the Government leaders at the highest levels.This is a grant-funded contractual position. 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.

  Responsibilities:

  The candidate will be an integral part of the research with responsibilities including:
• the incumbent will operate within well-define practices and procedures and perform activates with specific objectives and deliverables within the function
• contribute to assigned academic administration and education support
• he/she will coordinate, administers and participate in research study associated activities such as sample collection, Lab bench work, data collection methods, strategies and analysis for data management. Maintains record keeping systems and procedures
• assist senior faculty in conducting, managing and planning research project by determining theoretical aspects of problem & selecting methods of approach
• be able to independently conduct experiments, devise instrumentation & techniques, protocol optimization and execution of experiment. Be able to record & collect and analyse test results
• should have hands on experience running NGS assays with full confidence through the workflow
• correlate data compiled in research & interpret the results
• develop new concepts, methods & techniques to solve scientific problems
• analyse theories & research findings to determine applications
• carry out literature survey, data searching & retrieval, utilizing a variety of techniques & technologies
• contribute directly to the development of a research strategy for on-going research projects
• compile information, data & practice exemplars for publications
• prepare qualitative & quantitative analysis of data. Should also be familiar with bioinformatics analysis tools
• prepare write-up of the results, manuscripts of paper & presentation
• enter experimental data in appropriate software & participate in data analysis
• should be able to work with assigned faculty on specific research projects and contribute to writing of grants and research papers
• supervising and assist research staff and PhD students in research projects
• participate in the conduct of workshops for capacity building with the supervisor
• raise purchase requisition of equipment & reagents in coordination with purchase department

Requirements:

• the individual should have a PhD in molecular biology
• 2-3 years of related work experience 
• good wet-lab experience using sequencing-based technologies, both Sanger sequencing and Next-generation sequencing for investigation of pathogen genetics should be familiar with whole
• genome, exome and RNA sequencing
• ability to converse fluently in English 
• ability to communicate effectively and strong interpersonal skills 
• ability to use MS Office 
• exceptional problem-solving skills
• demonstrates knowledge of techniques, skills, equipment, procedures and materials
• ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures 
• ability to understand and carries out the principles of safety management; complies with safety policies and procedures

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.