Research Associate (PhD Student), Centre for Regenerative Medicine

The Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi, is seeking a motivated and talented Research Associate (PhD Student) to join a cutting-edge project funded by the Higher Education Commission’s National Research Program for Universities (NRPU). This project focuses on the development of advanced Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy for treating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoma. The successful candidate will contribute to the pre-clinical development and evaluation of this therapy, including in-silico design, biochemical and in-vitro testing, and validation using in-vivo mouse models. This is a grant-funded, contractual position based in Karachi.

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 necessary for the research team.
- Actively participate in weekly project meetings, journal clubs, and research progress discussions, delivering presentations as required.
- Assist in the preparation of manuscripts, annual reports, and other scientific documentation under faculty guidance.

Required Qualifications
- Enrollment in a PhD program with a prior MPhil or MS degree (18 years of education) in Biological Sciences or a related discipline. 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 is essential; familiarity with statistical and imaging software is advantageous.
- Excellent communication skills, including fluency in both written and spoken English.

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

Aga Khan University, established in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private international university, is committed to delivering education, research, and healthcare services of international standards relevant to Pakistan and the region. The university promotes a diverse and inclusive culture and upholds respectful relationships among its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, and the communities it serves, including vulnerable groups. AKU is an equal opportunity employer and expects all employees and partners to share its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

This opportunity offers the chance to work within a dynamic research environment at the forefront of regenerative medicine and immunotherapy, contributing to impactful translational research with potential clinical applications.