Faculty (Molecular Pathology) – Aga Khan University – Karachi – Pakistan - Icon of Jobs

Aga Khan University invites applications for Faculty (Molecular Pathology) in 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 standard relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital has well-equipped investigative services and provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities. AKUH is the first hospital in Pakistan to be awarded the prestigious Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) for practicing the highest internationally recognized healthcare standards.

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at The Aga Khan University is a dynamic academic center which serves the diagnostic needs of the country through its clinical laboratory services that spreads across Pakistan. AKUH’s Clinical Laboratory is College of American Pathologists (CAP) accredited and caters to the need of the entire country through its tertiary lab at the main campus and 300+ specimen collection units and 13 stat labs across Pakistan. The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine consists of five major sections namely Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Histopathology, Microbiology, and Molecular Pathology. Each section is academically driven and is highly engaged in research and undergraduate, postgraduate teaching and training.

The Molecular Pathology section at the Aga Khan University Hospital, established in 1995 within its Clinical Laboratories, plays a vital role in providing diagnostic insights through DNA and RNA-based testing. These tests offer crucial diagnostic information to laboratory physicians and clinicians, aiding them in delivering optimal care to patients with various conditions such as cancer, viral infections, histocompatibility issues, and genetic diseases. The laboratory employs a range of cutting-edge molecular technologies and laboratory methods, including microarray and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, as well as informatics solutions to analyze and interpret the data generated. Their scope of testing covers a wide array of areas including identity testing, inherited conditions, pharmacogenomics, HLA transplant testing, cytogenetics, molecular oncology, molecular hematopathology, and infectious diseases. Moreover, the Molecular Pathology section actively engages in educational initiatives such as the Elective Rotation Program. Through this program, students at Aga Khan University and visiting medical students are instructed in the latest molecular techniques and their applications in infectious diseases, cancer, and genetic disorders. Additionally, the section participates in the Technologist Trainee Program, equipping trainees with comprehensive knowledge and skills in various molecular diagnostic techniques, result interpretation, and quality assurance protocols. Overall, the Molecular Pathology section at Aga Khan University Hospital stands as a cornerstone in advancing diagnostic capabilities and fostering education in the field of molecular pathology, contributing significantly to patient care and the training of future professionals in the field.

Aga Khan University invites applications for a Faculty position in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.

Faculty Title:

Faculty (Molecular Pathology) – Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Responsibilities:

You will be required to have versatile skill set in pathology, encompassing not only diagnostic proficiency but also a commitment to teaching, research, and administrative duties. Expertise in molecular and cytogenetic diagnostics, including techniques like sequencing, PCR, karyotyping, and FISH, is highly desirable given the increasingly important role these methods play in pathology. Additionally, a keen interest in advancing pathology’s role, especially in the development of new companion diagnostics for various conditions ranging from benign and malignant hematology to stem cell transplantation and solid tumor malignancies, as well as prenatal and postnatal constitutional diseases, is crucial. This role seems to demand both a breadth of technical expertise and a forward-looking mindset to contribute to the evolving landscape of pathology.

Requirements:

The requirements for candidates for this position are quite stringent, reflecting the need for a high level of expertise and experience in the field of pathology, particularly in cytogenetics and molecular genetics/pathology.

You should have completed post-graduate training from a reputable institution and obtained relevant qualifications such as FCPS, FRCPath, or American Board certification in Clinical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics/Pathology and equivalent. Be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the field and proficiency in both clinical practice and laboratory techniques. Additionally, applicants for:

Professor; should have at least five years of experience to the level of Associate Professor in an HEC recognized University and a minimum of 15 research publications in journals recognized jointly by HEC and PMDC, with at least 5 of these publications in the last 5 years.

Associate Professor; should have at least 8 years of teaching / research experience in a HEC recognized University or postgraduate institution, with 5 years’ post-terminal experience of teaching and a minimum of 10 research publications in journals recognized jointly by HEC and PMDC with at least 4 of these publications in the last 5 years.

Assistant Professor; should have at least 3 years of experience as Senior Instructor or equivalent, and should have demonstrated scholarship through research, publications and/or contribution to education.

Senior Instructor; should have a minimum of two years of experience as a fellow/equivalent in a reputable institution and should have demonstrated scholarship through research, publications and/or contribution to education.

The position entails co-directing a comprehensive cytogenetics laboratory, which involves conducting chromosome analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and analysis of neoplastic and constitutional specimens. Therefore, you should possess substantial experience in these areas, preferably with at least three to five years of experience.

Additionally, you are expected to demonstrate strong capabilities in clinical, translational, or laboratory-based research. This indicates the importance of not only clinical expertise but also the ability to contribute to advancing knowledge and understanding in the field through research endeavors.

Overall, you are required to have a solid foundation in pathology, extensive experience in cytogenetics and molecular genetics/pathology, and a track record of research accomplishments, all of which are crucial for effectively fulfilling the responsibilities of the role.