Senior Research Assistant

Aga Khan University; Karachi Division; On-site; PKR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Aga Khan University in Karachi seeks a Senior Research Assistant to support maternal, newborn, and child health projects. The role involves fieldwork, data collection, and data management under supervision, contributing to high-quality research outputs.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s in Social Science with 1–2 years of experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in community settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Science or a related field.
• 1–2 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Basic knowledge of surveys and research designs.
• Good time management and ability to prioritise tasks.
• Resilience and ability to cope with work pressure.
• Willingness to work in communities and field sites.
• Good computer and report-writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Visit field sites locally in Karachi for project activities.
• Collect data and train junior staff in data collection.
• Ensure validity of collected data.
• Enter data into Excel or other software.
• Ensure proper collection and handling of samples per guidelines.
• Coordinate with project supervisors regularly.
• Provide counselling to study participants.
• Maintain all project data in an organised and confidential manner.
• Plan and conduct awareness sessions in the community when required.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Skills

Communication skills

Team player

Survey knowledge

Time management

Resilience

Field work mindset

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Science

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Description - Senior Research Assistant (2600046P)

Job Description

Senior Research Assistant - ( 2600046P )

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 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 Paediatrics within the Division of Women and Child Health is engaged in research initiatives that contribute to improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes. The department supports field-based research activities, community engagement, data collection, and study implementation in accordance with approved research protocols. This role will contribute to achieving the aims and objectives of a research project under the guidance of the Principal Investigator and research supervisors.

Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include to:

• visit field sites locally in Karachi for project-related activities
• collect data and train junior staff in proper data collection
• ensure validity of collected data
• enter data into Excel or other software
• ensure proper collection of samples and specimens as per provided guidelines
• ensure proper storage and transport of samples to the laboratory
• conduct maternal and newborn anthropometric measurements
• perform household visits in line with study procedures
• conduct household visits as per project protocol
• coordinate regularly with project supervisors to discuss field-related activities
• provide appropriate counselling to study participants
• maintain all project data in an organised and confidential manner
• plan and conduct awareness sessions within the community if required
• perform any other task assigned by the supervisor

Requirements

You should have:

• at least a Bachelor's degree in Social Science or another relevant discipline
• one to two years of relevant work experience
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• ability to work effectively as a team player
• basic knowledge of surveys and other research designs
• ability to manage time and prioritise tasks effectively
• resilience and the ability to cope with work pressure
• willingness to work in communities and field sites
• good computer and report-writing skills

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.