Faculty (Social Development Studies), Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is an international, research-intensive university, chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private university. It is dedicated to improving quality of life in Asia and Africa. Guided by the principles of IQRA – Impact, Quality, Relevance and Access – AKU's vision is of inclusive, pluralistic societies where knowledge, compassion and ethical leadership drive positive change. Its mission is to educate outstanding women and men, generate and share research that addresses urgent health, education and development challenges, and provide exemplary care and learning environments in partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network. Across its campuses, teaching sites, and clinical settings, AKU combines global standards with deep local engagement, preparing graduates to serve as skilled professionals and principled leaders in their communities.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

In 2022, AKU strategically expanded to add the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) to its world-renowned health professional training programmes and research strengths. The FAS is a transformative academic entity that empowers students through integrative and experiential learning. Rooted in the values of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), FAS emphasizes critical thinking and ethical leadership for its students to contribute to societal well-being. By combining a broad-based core curriculum, deep disciplinary expertise, practice experiences, and interdisciplinary integration, the faculty prepares students for meaningful careers and lifelong engagement with pressing global and local challenges.

FAS features four interdisciplinary majors in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Environmental Studies; Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; and Social Development Studies, with planned expansion of undergraduate programmes in data science and complementary graduate programmes.

Social Development Studies

Social Development Studies (SDS) examines the social, cultural, and psychological dimensions of human development, drawing on sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, economics, and related fields. The program explores how individuals and communities respond to challenges such as inequality, urbanization, sustainability, migration, and globalization. Through a mix of theory, applied research, and experiential learning, students develop skills in critical analysis, research design, and evidence-based problem-solving to engage with real-world issues and support inclusive, sustainable development.

The Position(s)

With an expanding portfolio of research clusters, international partnerships, and academic programmes, FAS seeks both junior and senior faculty  to contribute to research and teaching clusters to address global challenges. Senior faculty will be expected to provide academic leadership and build world-class interdisciplinary research and educational programmes.

AKU-FAS invites applications for positions at the rank of Assistant Professor/ Associate Professor and Professor for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences from individuals with demonstrated capacity for interdisciplinary research and training, coming from backgrounds including:

• Sociology and Anthropology (urban studies, social change, cultural analysis);

• Development Studies and Public Policy (governance, poverty, sustainability, economics);

• Social and Cognitive Psychology (behavior, mental health, community well-being);

• Gender, Inequality, and Migration (intersectional and global perspectives); or

• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods (mixed methods, fieldwork, design)

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.

Responsibilities:

Teaching and Curriculum Development:

• Deliver high-quality teaching within the SDS curriculum

• Develop new undergraduate and postgraduate courses and contribute to interdisciplinary curricular design.

• Supervise undergraduate thesis and projects; mentor students and support the development of graduate programs.

• Senior faculty will be expected to lead academic programmes, research clusters, or new initiatives aligned with the strategic growth of FAS.

Research and Scholarship:

• Conduct innovative and high-impact research with regular publications in peer-reviewed journals and reputable academic presses.

• Secure external research funding through competitive grants.

• Strengthen the Faculty's growing research profile on SDS related global challenges.

• Demonstrate impact of research and scholarship.

Academic Leadership and Service:

• Mentor junior faculty, early-career researchers, and students.

• Undertake administrative responsibilities, including active participation in /leadership of faculty and university committees.

• Build and sustain collaborations with academic institutions, think-tanks, NGOs, and policy organisations at regional and international levels.

Requirements:

You should have a:

• PhD in a relevant discipline mentioned above.

• Established record of teaching excellence at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level and demonstrated versatility across the curriculum.

• Strong publication record (senior applicants) or evidence of research potential (junior applicants).

• Demonstrated ability to attract external research funding (preferred).

• Applicants for senior ranks (Associate Professor/Professor) should demonstrate academic leadership, experience in programme development, and an internationally visible research profile.

Desired Competencies:

• Interdisciplinary orientation and capacity to contribute to environmental and social research themes.

• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and decolonial perspectives in teaching and scholarship.

• Ability to engage with real-world policy and development challenges in AKU geographies – South and Central Asia, East Africa - and relevant stakeholders.

Application Review Timeline & Instructions

• While the advertisement will remain open, the Search Committee will begin reviewing applications by the end of December.

• To apply, please submit a tailored cover letter clearly stating the specific major you are applying to teach, along with your CV.

• International applicants are encouraged to apply; relocation support will be available depending on rank and experience.

• In addition to academic scholars, applications from senior-level practitioners with demonstrated professional impact are also encouraged.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.