Director, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research

Introduction

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is a pioneering institution of higher education with a mission to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond, through world-class teaching, research and healthcare delivery. AKU educates students for local and global leadership from campuses and teaching hospitals in six countries, primarily in Asia and East Africa. It generates new knowledge to solve challenges that affect billions of people, especially the most vulnerable. The University is a private, not-for-profit institution and part of the Aga Khan Development Network.

The Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) and Stem Cell Research is one of the most ambitious and mission-critical initiatives at AKU. Established in 2016, in collaboration with the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), the Centre is part of the Medical College in Pakistan. Integration with the research, clinical, and policy network of the Medical College enables access to, and engagement with, a broad intellectual network and interdisciplinary teams that include clinicians, basic scientists, students, health care leaders and decision makers. Engagement with Aga Khan University Hospital and its Clinical Trials Unit promotes clinical translation and priority-setting to enhance impact for patient benefit in the regions served by AKU.

The Centre has pioneered research in regenerative medicine and stem cell biology in Pakistan. Its mission is to translate fundamental research on regionally relevant diseases into novel therapies. With existing infrastructure at the Centre and related labs, AKU is well-positioned to lead in regenerative and genomic medicine regionally, transforming healthcare by incorporating technologies like next-generation sequencing, gene editing, and cell-based interventions.

The Centre comprises core research space for up to 28 bench researchers containing state-of the-art equipment, including a Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorter (FACS), confocal microscope, meta-system for chromosomal studies, a tissue regeneration laboratory with a bio-printer, three tissue culture facilities for induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC), primary patient sampling and quarantine, and an established cancer cell line laboratory.

To fully realize the promise of the Centre and a bench-to-bedside approach, AKU is investing further in a state-of-the-art Translational Research Facility (TRF) with integrated animal research, genomics, gene editing, induced pluripotent stem cell iPSC and GMP-grade laboratories to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications, such as gene and cellular therapies.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Dean of the Medical College, Pakistan, the Director, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research is responsible for strengthening regenerative medicine and genomic research across AKU by training fundamental, translational and clinical researchers and leading translational research programmes.

The ideal candidate for the role:

The Director will be an inspirational leader who can develop and implement a strategic vision for the Centre. They will promote a culture of learning, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, respect and ethical conduct of research. The Director will strengthen relationships with researchers and clinicians across AKU and build a network of local and global partners, inclusive of academia, government research facilities, and industry. The Director will be a leader in AKU’s regions for policy development relative to regenerative and genomic medicine, ethics, commercialization opportunities, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate will work in domains of regenerative and genomic medicine that align with regional priorities for South Asia and East Africa, including Mendelian and complex disorders. The high rates of consanguinity in Pakistan enables the discovery of novel pathogenic variants for Mendelian diseases. The Centre/AKU facilities enable the development of iPSC and animal models targeting patient-specific variants, precise gene editing, investigation of signaling pathways, and drug testing. Together, these activities provide functional validation of disease-causing variants and mechanisms and enable therapeutic development. Conditions with regional significance include blood disorders (sickle cell anaemia / thalassemia), neurodevelopmental disorders, metabolic disorders, cancers, and retinal disorders. The ideal candidate will have experience in bench-to-bedside translation of cell or gene therapies in these regionally relevant domains.

This is a full-time position, with flexibility to consider a part-time arrangement for an exceptional candidate, in alignment with University policies.

Specific responsibilities will include to:

• lead interdisciplinary regenerative medicine research and training within the Medical College, Pakistan and AKU while strengthening local through international networks with a full range of stakeholders;
• leverage AKU assets, such as biobanks and longitudinal health outcomes and phenotype data for translational regenerative medicine research programmes;
• lead the development of cell and animal models to support foundational through translational research;
• develop strategies to build capacity for the clinical delivery of regenerative medicines, including cell and gene therapies by engaging Aga Khan University Hospital and its Clinical Trials Unit;
• ensure adequate space, capital and human resources are available to meet the research and manufacturing needs for clinical translation;
• ensure compliance with requirements of all regulatory and accrediting bodies;
• participate on external scientific and professional committees to enhance AKU’s reputation in regenerative medicine;
• represent AKU at international conferences, symposia and other professional convenings; apply for national and international grants to sustain and enhance the Centre’s strategic goals and research programmes;
• represent the Centre to donors in collaboration with the University Advancement team to enhance the operating endowment and other activities/positions/infrastructure.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• an MD, PhD, or an equivalent degree in a relevant discipline;
• a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience, 5 years or more at the rank of Associate Professor and be eligible for appointment at AKU for the rank of Associate Professor or Professor;
• a sustained and outstanding body of scholarship in translational regenerative medicine research, inclusive of cell or gene therapy development, as demonstrated through international peer-reviewed funding, publications, presentations, changes to practice or policy and/or other forms of dissemination that are recognized internationally;
• a demonstrated record in faculty and staff mentorship and training of graduate students and postdoctoral/clinical fellows;
• a demonstrated record of leadership of significant single or multi-site research programmes with high impact deliverables;
• experience in working with legislators, community leaders, industry representatives, and philanthropic partners;
• the ability to effectively represent the Centre in regional, national and international fora;
• demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging;
• demonstrated success in recruiting exceptional clinical and/or bench scientists.

To Apply

Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications addressed to The Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition via email hr.recruitment@aku.edu with the position title Director, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research in the subject line. Applications should include:

• A covering letter expressing interest and suitability for the role;
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae;
• Names and contact details of three referees (referees will only be approached at the final stage of the search and selection process, and only with the candidate’s express permission).

No hard copy applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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.

Comprehensive employment reference checks for the finalists will be conducted.

Applications should be submitted latest by January 31, 2026 .