Research Associate, Community Health Sciences

Introduction

Aga Khan University's (AKU) Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is a preeminent public health institution in the country. The vision of the Chancellor set the direction for the University to take a lead in community development and the creation of an innovative curriculum that emphasizes a balance between patient care and population health. Over the past several decades, CHS has played a major role in leading the development of national level primary health care, public health practice, health systems through evidence-based approach. CHS has established successful models in urban and rural settings in Pakistan emphasizing empowerment - building on the strengths of communities. As part of an international university, CHS collaborates in a global network of outstanding research and teaching institutions including AKU affiliates in East Africa and Central Asia.

CHS has five major sections – Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, Population & Reproductive Health, Environmental-Occupational and Climate Change (EOHCC), and Non-Communicable Diseases & Mental Health.

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.

Job Roles / Responsibilities:

You will be responsible to:

• support the planning and implementation of the Physical Activity sub-study embedded within the PURE final follow-up, ensuring alignment with approved protocols and timelines
• coordinate with the field team to identify and approach eligible participants from the study communities. Schedule and manage appointments for in-depth interviews, ensuring participant convenience and comfort
• conduct in-depth interviews (IDIs) with selected participants from PURE communities using approved interview guides.
• explore participants’ physical activity practices, understanding of health benefits, perceived barriers, and access to physical activity spaces.
• ensure respectful, culturally appropriate engagement with community members
• organize, label, and manage qualitative data including recordings, transcripts, and documentation.
• assist with transcription and translation (Urdu–English), where required.
• ensure data handling complies with institutional data protection and ethical standards
• prepare, review, and finalize reports, manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations for investigators, administrators, and funding agencies\
• plan, organize, and coordinate research-related training sessions, workshops, and CME programs in collaboration with the CHS team and
  project
  partnering institutes manage project logistics, including scheduling meetings, tracking deliverables, and ensuring adherence to project timelines


• ensure adherence to research protocols, ethical guidelines, and institutional policies, including plagiarism checks using Turnitin
• assist in budget monitoring, procurement processes, and financial reporting related to project activities
• oversee field activities, support and ensure effective data collection and smooth execution of activities at project sites in Karachi and Jamshoro district
• provide overall administrative and operational support to ensure the smooth implementation of the project

Requirements

you Must have:

Bachelors/Masters in any management related discipline

1-2 years of relevant admin and project management experience preferably in community settings or research facility will be preferred
Experience of working with research teams (Qualitative studies-preliminary coding and thematic organization of qualitative data)

excellent interpersonal skills particularly communication skills
proficiency in the use of computer applications, particularly MS Word and excel
ability to manage time and prioritize tasks effectively
ability to work effectively and resilience to cope-up with work pressure
excellent communication and report writing skills
willingness to work in community setting and travel as per work requirements.
Good English writing skills including the ability to prepare minutes of meetings
Ability to meet tight deadlines

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.