Research Associate (PhD Student), Centre for Regenerative Medicine

The Aga Khan University (AKU), established in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is dedicated to providing education, research, and healthcare services of international standards relevant to Pakistan and the region. The University operates multiple teaching sites across Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan, and is a key part of the Aga Khan Development Network. The Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AKU-CRM) is currently inviting applications for a Research Associate position (PhD student) under the HEC/National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) project focused on the development of advanced Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy for B-cell leukemia and lymphoma. This grant-funded, contractual role involves contributing to the pre-clinical development and evaluation of CAR T-cell therapy, including in-silico design, biochemical and in-vitro testing, and validation using in-vivo mouse models.

Key Responsibilities
- Conduct supervised wet lab research related to the CAR T-cell therapy project.
- Manage daily, weekly, and monthly inventories of consumables and reagents required for the research team.
- Participate actively in weekly project meetings, journal clubs, and research progress discussions, delivering presentations as assigned by the faculty.
- Assist in the preparation of manuscripts, annual reports, and other research documentation.

Required Qualifications
- Enrollment in a PhD program with a prior MPhil/MS degree (18 years of education) in Biological Sciences or a related field. Candidates holding MBBS, BDS, or DVM degrees with relevant laboratory research experience will also be considered.
- At least one year of hands-on wet laboratory experience in one or more of the following areas: stem cells (including iPSCs and HSCs), CAR T-cell therapy, gene editing, hematopoiesis, cytogenetics and imaging, gene and molecular therapy, or animal models.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks as assigned by faculty members.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with statistical and imaging software is advantageous.
- Excellent communication skills, including fluency in spoken and written English.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted as part of the recruitment process.

AKU is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. The University upholds high standards for safeguarding and promoting respectful relationships within its diverse workforce and with all stakeholders, including vulnerable populations. Candidates who share this commitment are encouraged to apply.