Senior Research Assistant - Community Health Sciences

The Department of Community Health Sciences at Aga Khan University, Karachi, is seeking a Senior Research Assistant for a grant-funded contractual position. Aga Khan University, established in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private international university, is dedicated to delivering education, research, and healthcare services of international standards. The university operates across multiple countries and is part of the Aga Khan Development Network. The Department of Community Health Sciences is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in public health research and primary healthcare system development, comprising five key sections including Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, Population & Reproductive Health, Environmental Health & Climate Change, and Non-Communicable Diseases & Mental Health.

Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct participant screening, recruitment, and obtain informed consent in line with ethical guidelines.
- Administer structured surveys and study questionnaires in field settings.
- Assist with GIS mapping exercises to document data collection points.
- Perform observations and complete checklists in designated field areas.
- Collect and accurately record quantitative data using digital tools such as REDCap or Kobo Toolbox.
- Conduct qualitative interviews, including in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).
- Take detailed field notes during qualitative interviews, capturing key observations, non-verbal cues, and contextual insights.
- Transcribe and translate audio-recorded qualitative interviews with attention to detail and confidentiality.
- Organize and attend regular meetings with study stakeholders and document meeting notes.
- Manage and securely store participant data, maintaining confidentiality and data integrity.
- Maintain accurate field logs, documentation, and study materials.
- Schedule and coordinate participant appointments and follow-up visits.
- Ensure strict compliance with study protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Communicate effectively with research supervisors and team members, providing timely updates from the field.

Required Qualifications:
- Minimum education level of Intermediate (12 years of schooling).
- At least 1–2 years of experience in community-based data collection.
- Strong understanding of field research protocols, including participant consent and ethical considerations.
- Proficiency in using digital data collection and entry platforms; experience with REDCap is highly preferred.
- Effective and respectful communication skills with diverse community members.
- Fluency in Sindhi is preferred.
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and local languages (Urdu/Sindhi).
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within diverse teams.
- Willingness to travel regularly to field sites within Karachi and Jamshoro and adapt to evolving project requirements.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted as part of the recruitment process. Aga Khan University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that respects and promotes a safe and respectful environment for all employees and stakeholders.