Senior Research Assistant - Community Health Sciences

Aga Khan University; Pakistan; On-site; PKR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Aga Khan University invites applications for a Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi. The role focuses on field data collection, screening, consent, surveys, GIS mapping, and data management across multiple field sites in Karachi and Jamshoro.

Applicants should have 1–2 years of community-based data collection experience, strong ethical protocol knowledge, and proficiency with REDCap or similar tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum education: Intermediate (12 years of schooling).
• At least 1–2 years of experience in community-based data collection.
• Strong understanding of field research protocols, including participant consent and ethical guidelines.
• Proficiency in using digital tools and data entry platforms; experience with REDCap is highly preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse community members.
• Fluent in Sindhi preferred.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and local languages (Urdu/Sindhi).
• Organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently and collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Willingness to travel to field sites regularly (within Karachi and Jamshoro) and adjust to evolving project needs.

Responsibilities

• conduct participant screening, recruitment, and informed consent in accordance with ethical guidelines
• administer structured surveys and study questionnaires in the field
• help in the mapping exercise to record GIS for our data collection points
• conduct observations and fill out checklist in the selected field areas
• collect and accurately record quantitative data using tools such as REDCap/Kobo tool box
• conduct qualitative interviews (IDIs and FGDs)
• transcribe and translate audio-recorded qualitative interviews with attention to detail and confidentiality
• willing to organize and attend regular meetings with the study stakeholders and take notes
• manage and securely store participant data
• maintain accurate field logs, documentation, and study materials
• schedule and coordinate appointments and follow-up visits with participants
• ensure compliance with study protocols and standard operating procedures
• communicate effectively with research supervisors and team members, providing timely updates from the field.

Skills

Field data collection

Digital tools

REDCap

Education

Intermediate (12 years of schooling)

Tools

REDCap

Kobo Toolbox

Job description

Senior Research AssistantDepartment: Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan UniversityLocation: Karachi, Sindh.

IntroductionAga 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 Community Health Sciences (CHS) is the leading unit of its type in Pakistan, recognized regionally and internationally for the relevance, quality, and extent of its work in support of public health and the development of primary health care systems. It comprises of five major operational sections: Epidemiology & biostatistics, Health policy & management, Population & reproductive health, Environmental health & climate change, and non-communicable diseases & mental health.

This is a grant funded contractual position.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible to:

• conduct participant screening, recruitment, and informed consent in accordance with ethical guidelines
• administer structured surveys and study questionnaires in the field
• help in the mapping exercise to record GIS for our data collection points
• conduct observations and fill out checklist in the selected field areas
• collect and accurately record quantitative data using tools such as REDCap/Kobo tool box
• conduct qualitative interviews (IDIs and FGDs)
• take detailed and accurate field notes during qualitative interviews, capturing key observations, non-verbal cues, and contextual insights
• transcribe and translate audio-recorded qualitative interviews with attention to detail and confidentiality
• willing to organize and attend regular meetings with the study stakeholders and take notes
• manage and securely store participant data
• maintain accurate field logs, documentation, and study materials
• schedule and coordinate appointments and follow-up visits with participants
• ensure compliance with study protocols and standard operating procedures
• communicate effectively with research supervisors and team members, providing timely updates from the field.

Requirements

You should have:

• minimum education: Intermediate (12 years of schooling)
• at least 1–2 years of experience in community-based data collection
• strong understanding of field research protocols, including participant consent and ethical guidelines
• proficiency in using digital tools and data entry platforms; experience with REDCap is highly preferred
• ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse community members
• fluent in Sindhi will be preferred
• detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management skills
• strong written and verbal communication skills in English and local languages (Urdu/Sindhi)
• organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently and collaboratively with diverse teams
• willingness to travel to field sites regularly (within Karachi and Jamshoro) and adjust to evolving project needs

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.