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Chair, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)

Entity

Aga Khan University

Location

Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction

About Aga Khan University
Founded in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is Pakistan’s first private university and a leading academic health sciences centre in the region. It has expanded into disciplines including education, media and communications, and arts and sciences. Since 2000, AKU has broadened its international presence to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom.

AKU is dedicated to improving quality of life, particularly in underserved communities—through excellence in education, research, and healthcare delivery, regardless of faith, origin, or gender.

The Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi provides high-quality education designed to develop responsible healthcare professionals who contribute to society and emerge as leaders in their fields. Its programmes are aligned with international standards and emphasize strong clinical competencies across community and hospital settings. It aims to develop health professional leaders through innovative training programmes and robust research initiatives, thereby advancing medical education in Pakistan and beyond.

The Opportunity
Aga Khan University (AKU) invites applications for the position of Chair, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)—a senior academic leadership role within the Medical College.

The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) integrates expertise across Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, as well as Molecular Biology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, and related biomedical sciences. The Department delivers an integrated undergraduate medical curriculum, contributes substantially to graduate education, and advances research focused on priority health challenges relevant to Pakistan and the broader region.

Reporting to the Dean, Medical College, the Chair will provide strategic leadership for the Department’s academic, research, and administrative mandate, while strengthening its contributions to teaching, scholarship, and institutional collaboration.

About the Department
Established through the integration of four core disciplines, BBS delivers a cohesive and rigorous basic science curriculum, fosters collaboration between basic and clinical sciences, and supports the effective use of institutional resources.

The Department plays a significant role in:

  • Delivering curricula across undergraduate and graduate programmes, with a strong focus on early medical education
  • Contributing to the Biological Sciences stream of the PhD programme and delivering the flagship MPhil in Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Supporting teaching and research through multidisciplinary laboratories and dedicated learning spaces
  • The Department demonstrates sustained academic excellence through research publications, funded projects, and academic engagement, while continuing to strengthen student learning, mentorship, faculty development, and the scholarship of education.

BBS maintains a growing research portfolio spanning infection and immunity, non-communicable diseases, cancer biology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, genomics, nutrition, and related fields. Faculty contributes to multidisciplinary research groups, attract competitive funding, and collaborate nationally and internationally to advance scientific discovery and translational research.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape the next phase of AKU's research growth, including emerging investments in translational and biomedical research infrastructure. 

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide visionary leadership for the academic and research mandate of the Department, aligned with AKU’s mission and policies
  • Oversee the delivery of an integrated undergraduate basic sciences curriculum across core disciplines
  • Promote the application of biological science principles to the understanding of health and disease, particularly in Pakistan and comparable or emerging contexts
  • Support and strengthen graduate programmes, including PhD and MPhil training
  • Foster an environment that supports research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Facilitate and participate in basic, clinical, and educational (evaluative) research, including collaboration with clinical departments and external partners
  • Advance extramural funding, scholarly output, and academic visibility
  • Lead faculty recruitment, development, and retention, including mentoring and performance management
  • Ensure compliance across all disciplines within BBS with the requirements of national accrediting bodies such as the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC)
  • Foster the development of educational and research collaborations at national and international levels
  • Contribute to collaborative activities with other academic programmes across the University, including the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Postgraduate Medical Education, Centre of Regenerative Medicine (CRM), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), and Institute for Educational Development (IED)
  • Represent the Department in Medical College and University committees, supporting academic governance

Requirements

  • Doctorate in a Biological or Biomedical Sciences discipline
  • Eligibility for appointment at Associate or Full Professor level
  • Experience in a university setting, including undergraduate and graduate teaching and research supervision
  • Demonstrated record of research, publications, and success in securing extramural funding
  • Experience in academic administration and departmental leadership
  • Demonstrated ability in mentoring faculty, staff, and students
  • Understanding of the regional academic and research context
  • Commitment to academic excellence and sustained scholarly activity

To Apply

Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications to human.resources@aku.edu  with the position title in the subject line.

 Applications should include:

  • A cover letter outlining interest in and suitability for the role
  • An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae
  • Names and contact details of three referees (referees will only be contacted at the final stage of the search process and only with the candidate’s explicit permission)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Aga Khan University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The University upholds high standards of respect, integrity, and safeguarding in its interactions with faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, and the wider communities it serves, including children and vulnerable adults. All employees, trainees, and partners are expected to share this commitment.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted for final candidates.

Applications should be submitted latest by August 9, 2026