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Chair, Department of Dentistry & Oral Health Sciences

Entity

Aga Khan University

Location

Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction

About The Aga Khan University
Founded in 1983, the Aga Khan University is Pakistan’s first private university and a leading 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 presence to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan, and the UK. It is dedicated to improving living conditions for the poor, regardless of faith, origin, or gender, through world-class teaching, research, and health-care delivery.

The Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi provides high-quality education to produce responsible healthcare professionals who contribute to society and become leaders in their fields. Its programmes are tailored to international standards, aiming to develop excellent clinical competencies in community settings and hospitals. The goal is to produce health professional leaders through unique training programmes and strong research initiatives, impacting medical education in Pakistan and beyond.

About the Department of Dentistry & Oral Health Sciences
The Department of Dentistry & Oral Health Sciences has recently become an independent, standalone academic unit—previously a section under the Department of Surgery. This transition marks a significant milestone, positioning the incoming Chair as the founding academic leader. The department integrates AKU’s clinical services, postgraduate training, allied health education, and cutting-edge research. Evolving from its origins as a section within the Department of Surgery, it has grown into a full department providing a broad scope of clinical services across AKU Health Services Pakistan - including the Stadium Road campus, affiliated off-campus hospitals and outreach medical centres - supported by a modern dental laboratory and advanced radiology and digital dentistry capabilities.

The Department of Dentistry & Oral Health Sciences offers the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene (ASDH) and residency programmes in Operative Dentistry, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, alongside continuing professional education. Building on AKU’s tradition of subspecialty care, translational research, and community partnerships, the Department is poised to expand its academic offerings, strengthen research and outreach, and attract nationally and internationally recognised faculty committed to advancing innovation in oral health sciences.

Responsibilities

About the Role
AKU invites applications for Chair, Department of Dentistry & Oral Health Sciences — an inaugural strategic leadership role at the intersection of subspecialty care, translational research, and academic excellence. The Chair will lead the Department’s academic, clinical, and research missions, working closely with faculty, hospital leadership, and university governance.

Reporting to the Dean, Medical College and the Chief Executive Officer, Health Services Pakistan, and supported by managers and relevant stakeholders, the Chair will provide visionary leadership to advance clinical services, academic programmes, and research initiatives. The role is firmly aligned with AKU’s guiding principles of IQRA (Impact, Quality, Relevance and Access) and the University Strategic Plan 2024–2028.. The Chair will also play a key role in enhancing the department’s research portfolio and philanthropic engagement, ensuring that Dentistry & Oral Health Sciences remains at the forefront of innovation and service.

Key Responsibilities
 
  • Lead the Department’s academic, clinical, and research missions, working closely with faculty, hospital leadership, and university governance.
  • Develop and implement strategic plans to advance clinical services, academic programmes, and research initiatives in alignment with AKU’s mission and institutional goals.
  • Ensure delivery of high quality, patient centred care across all dental specialties (Operative Dentistry, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery).
  • Optimise clinical operations and resource utilisation, ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.
  • Lead curriculum innovation and academic oversight across undergraduate, postgraduate, fellowship, and allied health training programmes.
  • Promote academic excellence through structured teaching activities, including rounds, journal clubs, seminars, and interprofessional education.
  • Advance research excellence in translational, clinical, and practice based studies, fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation.
  • Secure extramural funding and support scholarly output, including high impact publications and collaborative research initiatives.
  • Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty, aligning appointments and promotions with departmental goals and supporting career development.
  • Represent the Department in university governance, national forums, and international academic partnerships to enhance institutional visibility and collaboration.
  • Collaborate with the Office of Advancement on donor stewardship and fundraising, while fostering an inclusive and equitable departmental culture.

Requirements

  • Recognised specialist qualification in Dentistry (examples: FCPS, FFDRCS, FRCD, American Board or equivalent). A PhD or equivalent research doctorate will be considered an added advantage.
  • Eligible for appointment as Associate Professor or Professor at AKU.
  • Substantial leadership experience in an academic clinical setting (ideally 5–7 years), including programme management, faculty oversight and operational responsibility.
  • Valid practising licence and active engagement in clinical practice.
  • Proven excellence in clinical care, teaching, curriculum innovation, and research.
  • Strong record of peer reviewed publications and grant acquisition.
  • National and international recognition in dentistry and oral health sciences.
  • Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and faculty development.
  • Strategic vision to elevate the Department’s regional and global reputation.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively and empower high performance teamwork.
  • Experience working with institutional Advancement/Development teams on philanthropic engagement and donor stewardship.
  • Commitment to equity, inclusion and the advancement of oral health in low  and middle income country contexts.

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 covering letter expressing interest and suitability for the role;
  • An up to date Curriculum Vitae;
  • Names and contact details of three referees (referees will only be approached at the final stage of the search and selection process, and only with the candidate’s express permission).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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.

Comprehensive employment reference checks for the finalists will be conducted.

Applications should be submitted latest by December 21, 2025