Assistant Professor (Research Scientist), Institute for Human Development at Aga Khan University Hospital

Job Summary

The Research Scientist will support the Director of IHD to coordinate research activities for various projects within the departments. The position will have a two specific focus. First will be a position focusing on climate change and its impact on human functioning, especially in the context of nutrition, agriculture, and related aspects.  The second position will have a strong focus on genomics and mental health, examining biological, social and epidemiological aspects of mental health in the contexts of various conditions including HIV, and neurodevelopmental disorders among others. 

Responsibilities

• Coordination of all study-related field activities, including stakeholder and community engagement;
• Facilitate the planning process for project, launch and implementation in liaison with the project teams;
• Stakeholder engagement;
• Development of SOPs and quality control measures;
• Ensure readiness of data collection tools and devices (translations, consents, recording, storage and safety);
• Lead the implementation and evaluation of projects;
• Oversee projects risk identification, mitigation, monitoring and updating of risk registers;
• Organize the field team for data transcriptions, cleaning, and coding;
• Ensure proper storage of all records and raw data;
• Ensuring appropriate back-up of study data is in place;
• Support with analysis of data;
• Ensure reporting procedures (Technical and financial) as stipulated by the donor are adhered to;
• Lead in the write up high quality manuscripts for submission to peer reviewed journals.
• Mentor and supervise study teams;
• Ensure project activities are packaged and displayed through the IHD website and other relevant platforms that are accessible to the intended audience;
• Plan for information dissemination of study finding through appropriate channels to all the relevant stakeholders including the policy makers, implementers, academicians, other scientist and study beneficiaries;
• Lead in packaging information for dissemination to different audience including policy briefs and presentations;
• Mentor and supervise Masters, PhD and Junior research fellows in the department;
• Develop research ideas and submit for funding as the Principal Investigator;
• Contribute to departmental-wide grant applications and submission;
• Support junior faculty and PhD students in their efforts for resource mobilization
• Ensure proper documentation of all procedures and overall research process in coordination with the data manager;
• Work closely with the AKU communication team to ensure project activities are profiled through the different channels of communication targeting all key stakeholders including adolescents, parents, implementers and policy makers; and
• Support with scientific communication through dissemination in conference and peer reviewed journals.

 Requirements

• PhD in Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Epidemiology, Biological Sciences, Nutritional Sciences or other allied fields;
• At least 4 years of Post PhD research experience post;
• 1 – 2 years’ experience teaching at the University level would be desirable;
• Significant and relevant experience in designing and setting up a research project;
• A track record of successfully attracting research funds;
• A track record of publishing in peer-reviewed, high-quality scientific journals;
• Demonstrable experience in mentoring and supervising students;
• Advanced statistical analysis skills;
• Experience in community mobilisation and partner engagement processes;
• Track record of either clinical work or lab work would be an added advantage; and
• Willingness to travel outside the country.