Senior Research Assistant

Job Description - Senior Research Assistant (MTV - Xpert Technician) (26000458)

Job Description

Senior Research Assistant (MTV - Xpert Technician) - ( 26000458 )

Senior Research Assistant – Xpert Technician (TB Component)

Department: Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University

Location:

Assigned district, Sindh, Pakistan, with travel to designated health facilities and field sites as required

Districts:

District Karachi Central, Badin, Dadu, Ghotki, Naushero Feroze, Khairpur, Sanghar, Sukkur and Shikarpur, Sindh, Pakistan.

Introduction

Aga Khan University chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the provision of education, research, and health care of international standards relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities and well-equipped diagnostic services. The University currently has teaching sites in Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan, and is a major component of Aga Khan Development Network.

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.

The Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is the leading unit of its type in Pakistan, recognized regionally and internationally for the relevance, quality, and extent of its work in support of public health and the development of primary health care systems. It comprises of five major operational sections: Epidemiology & biostatistics, Health policy & management, Population & reproductive health, Environmental health & climate change, and non-communicable diseases & mental health.

This is a grant funded contractual position.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible to:

• support TB diagnostic activities using GeneXpert equipment in accordance with approved protocols
• receive, label, handle, and process sputum specimens while following established biosafety procedures
• conduct testing, document results, and maintain accurate laboratory and patient records
• ensure proper storage, handling, and disposal of specimens and biomedical waste
• perform routine equipment checks and report technical issues or maintenance requirements
• monitor availability of cartridges, reagents, and other consumables and report shortages promptly
• follow infection prevention and control, biosafety, and quality assurance procedures
• coordinate with BMU staff and relevant project teams to facilitate timely testing and reporting
• support referral and linkage of clients requiring further evaluation or treatment
• assist with data entry, inventory records, and preparation of routine activity reports
• perform other project-related responsibilities assigned by the supervisor
  

Requirements

You should have:

• at least Intermediate qualification
• at least 1 year of relevant professional experience in laboratory support, diagnostic services, health programmes, or a related field
• relevant technical training or practical experience in GeneXpert testing and specimen handling will be preferred
• basic computer and record-keeping

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.