Senior Technologist - Clinical Trial Unit

Senior Technologist - Clinical Trials Unit

Location: Karachi, 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.

Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) is a Department dedicated to developing a center of excellence for high-quality and high-impact clinical trials both nationally & internationally.  The Department promotes AKU’s vision by providing leadership, consultation, and facilitation in different phases of clinical trials in compliance with the International Standards and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.

This is a grant-funded contractual position.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible to:

• provide laboratory support services for research studies while ensuring a positive experience for research participants
• coordinate laboratory logistics for multiple studies, including study start-up, implementation and close-out activities
• perform phlebotomy and collect, process, handle, package, ship and store research specimens in accordance with study protocols, laboratory procedures and regulatory requirements
• review study protocols to ensure compliance with study-specific specimen collection, processing, handling and storage requirements
• maintain accurate laboratory documentation, including specimen records, inventory logs, temperature logs and other study-related records
• manage laboratory supplies, monitor inventory levels and coordinate the maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment
• ensure compliance with ICH-GCP guidelines, institutional policies, laboratory procedures, confidentiality requirements and laboratory safety standards, including the safe handling and disposal of biological and hazardous materials
• coordinate participant flow and collaborate with investigators, study coordinators, clinical teams and support staff to facilitate study procedures
• prepare for and support study monitoring visits, audits and other quality assurance activities
• orient research participants, visitors and new staff to the unit, and support staff training activities as required
• participate in staff meetings, continuous professional development activities and initiatives that contribute to the advancement of the research unit.

Requirements:

You should have:

• MSc in Biological Sciences (preferred); candidates with a BSc in Biological Sciences and relevant experience will also be considered
• at least three years of relevant laboratory or hospital experience
• GCP and IATA certification
• sound knowledge of biochemistry, good laboratory practices (GLP), laboratory equipment, specimen handling, health and safety practices, and scientific techniques relevant to the role
• experience of supporting clinical research studies will be considered an asset
• ability to manage multiple research studies simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail and strict confidentiality
• proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other computer-based systems.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.