Lab Assistant - Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Lab Assistant - Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Entity: Aga Khan University

Location: Karachi

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 standard relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital has well-equipped investigative services and provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities.

The Laboratory Assistant will support undergraduate teaching and faculty-led research in environmental sciences laboratories at AKU by ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient functioning of lab operations. The role involves assisting in experimental setup, sample collection and analysis, and the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment. The incumbent will work closely with faculty and students to facilitate hands-on learning and research activities. Additionally, the position requires maintaining accurate records, upholding safety and compliance standards, and contributing to data analysis and scientific reporting. Finally, the incumbent will also be responsible of maintaining the environmental lab at Link Road campus of AKU.

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.

Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of Lab Assistant for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible for:

• Commuting and working across all laboratory facilities at AKU Main Campus and Link Road Laboratory.
• Provide technical support to undergraduate students during laboratory sessions, ensuring proper understanding and safe execution of experiments
• Assist faculty members in laboratory teaching, experimental setup, and research activities
• Support research design and protocol development under supervision
• Operate, maintain, and calibrate laboratory instruments to ensure optimal performance
• Ensure accurate sample preparation, handling, storage, and documentation
• Maintain laboratory safety standards, cleanliness, and compliance with institutional policies
• Maintain organized records of laboratory work, results, and inventory
• Assist in troubleshooting routine laboratory and equipment-related issues
• Assist faculty and students in academic writing, including preparation of research papers and scientific reports
• Manage administrative responsibilities in the Link Road Campus
• Conduct routine maintenance, calibration, and performance checks of laboratory equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Review and update laboratory inventory, including chemicals, consumables, and equipment, and coordinate timely procurement.
• Compile and organize laboratory data, records, and reports periodically to support academic, research, and compliance requirements.

Requirements:

You should have:

• BSc/MSc in Environmental Sciences/Environmental Chemistry/Environmental Biology or relevant field from a recognized institution
• At least two years of work experience in the laboratory
• Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques and strict adherence to safety protocols
• Experience in operating laboratory equipment such as autoclaves, incubators, Spectrophotometer etc.
• Hands-on experience in soil and water sampling, sample preparation, and laboratory-based analysis of environmental samples.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, or equivalent) for data analysis

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.