Introduction:
Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programs and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.
Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) is a Department dedicated to develop 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.
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.
Job Responsibilities:
The Senior Pharmacist is needed to provide an overall operational oversight to Research Pharmacy operations. The duties and responsibilities include: coordinating, collaborating and providing expertise in support of clinical investigational drug trials; performing education responsibilities; providing accurate and efficient dispensing of medication; performing administrative responsibilities; providing direct and/or functional supervision; maintaining overall responsibility for pharmacy operations in assigned area; performing communication responsibilities; performing other duties consistent with the job classification, as required.
Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible to:
oversee all aspects of investigational drug trials including procurement, storage, dispensing, documentation, and compliance with ICH-GCP and institutional guidelines
liaise with PIs, CTU staff, and sponsors to define pharmacy roles and implement trial-specific procedures
manage and train pharmacy and clinical staff involved in trials; supervise daily pharmacy operations and staff performance
maintain up-to-date trial documentation, inventory records, and pharmacy binders for all ongoing studies
participate in dispensing and ensure ethical conduct, protocol adherence, and timely reporting of issues or deviations
attend interdisciplinary meetings; prepare reports such as incident and adverse reaction reports
lead trial training sessions for medical, pharmacy, and nursing staff
coordinate with sponsors, CROs, and internal teams; supervise monitoring visits and manage communications
oversee development, updates, and compliance with pharmacy clinical trial policies and procedures
Requirements:
The applicant should have:
- bachelor’s degree in pharmacy/ Pharm-D
- professional registration with Pharmacy council of Pakistan
- master’s degree in pharmacy and/ or additional training in Hospital pharmacy is preferred
- minimum 3-4 years’ experience in hospital pharmacy practice or experience of working in clinical trials preferably pharmacy with progressively increasing responsibilities
- knowledge of ICH-GCP and other local and international regulatory guidelines i.e. DRAP, National Bioethics Committee, Institutional Ethics Committee etc.
- self-motivated, with strong leadership abilities
- demonstrates strong analytical, problem-solving skills
- strong written and verbal communication skills
- detail oriented, good organizational traits
- must be results oriented, multi-tasking, quick learner, respond to the urgent needs of the team and show a strong track record of meeting deadlines
- good computer skills; inclination to adopt technology to maximize efficiency
- strong Team leading and delegation qualities
- proven ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines. Flexible approach to working hours.
Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.