Research Associate (Lab), Paediatrics & Child Health -MC

Introduction

The Outreach and Research Programme of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health has ten community-based field sites across Pakistan (including four in Karachi) and focuses on research for betterment of women and child health. The Department has a Nutritional Research Laboratory as well as an Infectious Disease Research Laboratory that cater to the needs of its research projects. It has well-acclaimed work to its credit both at the national and international level.

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.

This is a grant funded contractual position

Responsibilities

you will be responsible to:

• serve as technical expert in specific area related to epidemiological study designs, and resolve technical problems related to them
• review Lab test proposal of all new projects and ensure the availability of Lab resources for the implementation of tests and new SOPS
• keeping principal investigator/ Project Supervisor(s) updated about the progress of the work at decided frequency or about any problem that may arise
• ensure the completeness, proper archiving of specimens, isolates and completion and keeping track of CRFs and / or answer questioners from granting agencies
• actively participate in the optimization of new lab tests and methodologies as per project requirement
• review all Lab results, monitor internal external QC checks of all Lab procedures and CRFS, and take preventive and corrective actions in case of non-conformities
• track purchase Lab requisitions for the timely procurement of reagents / coordinate with purchase and company vendors in identifying most appropriate equipment for the Lab. Arrange lab equipment and supplies keeping in mind current and future requirements of all labs for related research projects
• participate actively in the teaching of the junior staff regarding Lab techniques, safety, work ethics and discipline
• monitor and maintain storage , record-keeping, and data entry of all research project related specimens
• ensue Preparation, coordination and execution of samples shipment of as per Research projects’ requirements
• prepare and present weekly and monthly project reports and presentations in the Research meeting
• actively work with Lab Manager Outreach and Research, to maintain discipline among Lab staff and compliance of rules as per institutional and department policies and procedures
• perform all other duties assigned time-to-time by the principal investigators in connection with the research projects
• make weekly Report on the Study
• make final report upon completion of research project
• conduct weekly/fortnightly meetings of all labs. Staff to achieve targets
• represent the laboratory at departmental meetings when directed by the supervisor

Requirement

You should have:

• a master’s degree in science
• 5 - 7 years of work experience in Laboratory Sciences
• sound knowledge of GLP requirements for research projects
• ability to perform complex molecular diagnostic tests without supervision
• sound knowledge of Bio-safety standards
• excellent team player and staff management experience
• strong communication and interpersonal skills to maintain harmony in the section