📢 Aga Khan University Faculty Jobs 2026 | Department of Community Health Sciences | Assistant Professor & Senior Instructor | Health Data Science, AI, Machine Learning | PhD/MSc/MPhil Required | R, Python, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch | Karachi | Regular Employment | Apply by 28 June 2026 via AKU Taleo Portal
🏛️ About the Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS)
Aga Khan University's Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is a preeminent public health institution in Pakistan. The vision of the Chancellor set the direction for the University to take a lead in community development and the creation of an innovative curriculum that emphasizes a balance between patient care and population health. Over the past several decades, CHS has played a major role in leading the development of national-level primary health care, public health practice, and health systems through an evidence-based approach.
CHS has established successful models in urban and rural settings in Pakistan — emphasizing empowerment and building on the strengths of communities. As part of an international university, CHS collaborates in a global network of outstanding research and teaching institutions including AKU affiliates in East Africa and Central Asia. The department is organized into five major sections: Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, Population & Reproductive Health, Environmental-Occupational and Climate Change (EOHCC), and Non-Communicable Diseases & Mental Health.
AKU is now seeking Faculty in the Department of Community Health Sciences with expertise in health data science, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning — reflecting the department's commitment to leading the digital transformation of public health research and education in Pakistan. Applications are invited at Assistant Professor and Senior Instructor levels.
📊 Job Overview — Faculty, Department of Community Health Sciences
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Aga Khan University, Medical College |
| Department | Community Health Sciences (CHS) |
| Position | Faculty — Health Data Science, AI & Machine Learning |
| Two Tracks | Assistant Professor & Senior Instructor |
| Job Type | Regular (Standard) Employment |
| Location | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Qualification | PhD, MSc/MPhil, or MBBS with MSc/MPhil in Data Science, Biostatistics, or related field |
| Experience | 2+ Years (Postdoctoral/Research for Assistant Professor; Teaching/Applied Research for Senior Instructor) |
| Technical Skills | R, Python, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Spark, Cloud Platforms |
| Last Date | 28 June 2026 |
| Apply Method | Online via AKU Taleo Careers Portal |
📋 Position Tracks — Assistant Professor & Senior Instructor
| Criteria | Assistant Professor | Senior Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | PhD or equivalent | MSc/MPhil/PhD in Data Science, Biostatistics, or related field (MBBS with MSc/MPhil also acceptable) |
| Experience | At least 2 years of postdoctoral or research experience | At least 2 years of relevant experience |
| Research Evidence | Evidence of independent research and publications in health data science, biostatistics, or applied machine learning | Demonstrated interest in teaching and applied research in data science and analytics |
| Teaching | Course design and delivery, graduate supervision, curriculum development | Teaching using innovative, technology-enabled methods; hybrid/online teaching experience preferred |
| Research Leadership | Lead or contribute to research programs; grant writing and securing research funding | Support research programs; contribute to applied research projects |
🎓 Eligibility Criteria — Detailed Breakdown
Common Requirements for Both Tracks
- Research & Publications: Strong record of research and publications in data science, machine learning, AI, or biostatistics applied to health.
- Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in statistical and computational tools — R, Python, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Spark, cloud-based platforms.
- Teaching Ability: Demonstrated ability to teach using innovative, technology-enabled, and data-driven methods (experience in hybrid/online teaching is preferred).
- Curriculum & Mentorship: Experience in curriculum design, student mentorship, and supervision of applied research projects.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication skills and ability to work in interdisciplinary and collaborative environments.
Assistant Professor — Additional Requirements
- PhD or equivalent with at least 2 years of postdoctoral or research experience.
- Evidence of independent research and publications in health data science, biostatistics, or applied machine learning.
- Proven ability to lead research programs, secure grant funding, and build national/international collaborations.
Senior Instructor — Additional Requirements
- MSc/MPhil/PhD in Data Science, Biostatistics, or a related field (MBBS with MSc/MPhil is also acceptable).
- At least 2 years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated interest in teaching and applied research in data science and analytics.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Course Design & Delivery: Design and deliver courses in health data science, machine learning, AI applications in health, statistical programming, and data visualization.
- Training Module Development: Develop and update specialized training modules in big data analytics, predictive modeling, and computational methods.
- Graduate Supervision: Supervise and mentor graduate students, ensuring high-quality applied research, publications, and innovative use of real-world health datasets.
- Research Leadership: Lead or contribute to research programs in advanced analytics, AI, digital health, and computational modeling.
- Grant Writing: Support grant writing and contribute to securing research funding in health data science and analytics.
- Collaborations: Build collaborations with national and international partners across academia, health systems, and industry to strengthen applied health data science capacity.
- Policy Translation: Translate complex data into evidence-based insights for health policy, systems strengthening, and population health improvement.
💼 Required Skills — Detailed Breakdown
Technical & Computational Skills
- Programming Languages: Advanced proficiency in R (tidyverse, caret, Shiny) and Python (pandas, scikit-learn, NumPy, SciPy) for health data analysis and statistical computing.
- SQL & Database Management: Proficiency in SQL for querying and managing large-scale health databases, electronic health records (EHR), and population health datasets.
- Deep Learning Frameworks: Experience with TensorFlow and PyTorch for building and deploying machine learning and deep learning models for health applications — medical imaging, disease prediction, natural language processing of clinical notes.
- Big Data Technologies: Familiarity with Apache Spark for processing and analyzing large-scale health datasets that exceed traditional computing capacity.
- Cloud Platforms: Experience with cloud-based platforms — AWS (SageMaker, HealthLake), Google Cloud (Vertex AI, Healthcare API), or Microsoft Azure (Health Data Services) — for scalable health data analytics.
- Data Visualization: Proficiency in creating compelling data visualizations using ggplot2, matplotlib, Plotly, Tableau, or Power BI for communicating health insights to diverse audiences.
Health Data Science Domain Expertise
- Predictive Modeling: Building and validating predictive models for disease risk, hospital readmission, mortality prediction, and health outcomes using machine learning algorithms (random forest, XGBoost, neural networks, ensemble methods).
- AI Applications in Health: Applying AI to health challenges — medical image analysis (radiology, pathology), clinical natural language processing (NLP), drug discovery, and personalized medicine.
- Biostatistics: Strong foundation in biostatistical methods — survival analysis, longitudinal data analysis, causal inference, meta-analysis, and clinical trial design.
- Digital Health: Understanding of digital health technologies — mobile health (mHealth), wearable devices, telemedicine platforms, and health informatics systems.
- Real-World Data: Experience working with real-world health datasets — electronic health records (EHR), insurance claims data, demographic health surveys (DHS), and disease registries.
Teaching & Academic Skills
- Curriculum Design: Developing comprehensive course grids, syllabi, and assessment strategies for health data science and AI courses.
- Technology-Enabled Teaching: Experience with hybrid/online teaching platforms — Moodle, Blackboard, Coursera, or edX — for delivering data science education.
- Graduate Mentorship: Supervising MSc and PhD students in applied research projects — from proposal development to publication.
- Research Communication: Publishing in peer-reviewed journals (Lancet Digital Health, JAMA Network Open, BMC Medical Informatics), presenting at conferences (AMIA, ML4H, NeurIPS health workshops).
Collaboration & Leadership Skills
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working with clinicians, epidemiologists, health policy experts, and computer scientists in multidisciplinary research teams.
- Grant Writing: Securing research funding from HEC, NRPU, Grand Challenges, Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, NIH, or WHO.
- International Partnerships: Building collaborations with global academic institutions, health systems, and industry partners in health data science.
🌐 How to Apply — AKU Taleo Careers Portal
Step 1:
Visit https://aku.taleo.net/careersection/ex/joblist.ftl?lang=en
Step 2:
Search using reference number #2600028F — "Faculty - Department of Community Health Sciences"
Step 3:
Create account/login, complete application, upload CV, degrees, publications list, and supporting documents
Step 4:
Submit before 28 June 2026 at 11:59 PM
📄 Required Documents Checklist
| # | Document | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Updated Academic CV | ✅ Mandatory — with full publication list |
| 2 | Cover Letter / Research & Teaching Statement | ✅ Highly Recommended |
| 3 | CNIC Copy | ✅ Mandatory |
| 4 | PhD/MSc/MPhil Degree + Transcripts | ✅ Mandatory |
| 5 | MBBS Degree (if applicable — Senior Instructor track) | ✅ If applicable |
| 6 | HEC Equivalency (if foreign degree) | ✅ If applicable |
| 7 | List of Publications (Peer-Reviewed Journals) | ✅ Mandatory |
| 8 | Evidence of Grant Funding (if any) | ⭐ Advantage |
| 9 | Teaching Portfolio (course outlines, evaluations) | ⭐ Advantage |
| 10 | Passport Size Photograph | ✅ Recommended |
📝 Selection Process
Stage 1 — Application Screening
AKU screens against mandatory criteria — qualification level, research publications, technical skills (R, Python, ML/AI), and experience.
Stage 2 — Comprehensive Reference Checks
Thorough employment and academic reference verification.
Stage 3 — Shortlisting & Interview
Only shortlisted contacted. Likely includes: research presentation/seminar, teaching demonstration (health data science topic), and panel interview with CHS leadership and technical experts.
Stage 4 — Final Selection
Regular faculty appointment at Assistant Professor or Senior Instructor level with AKU's competitive academic compensation.
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Job Posting | 05 June 2026 | Posted on AKU Taleo Portal |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 June 2026, 11:59 PM | 23 days application window |
| Application Screening | July 2026 | By CHS Department |
| Interviews | July/August 2026 | Only shortlisted contacted |
🌟 Why Join CHS at Aga Khan University?
- Pakistan's Premier Public Health Institution: CHS is a preeminent department with decades of national impact in primary health care, health systems, and community development.
- Cutting-Edge Health Data Science: This is a strategic faculty hire in AI, machine learning, and big data analytics — positioning you at the forefront of digital health transformation in Pakistan.
- Global Research Network: CHS collaborates with outstanding research and teaching institutions worldwide, including AKU affiliates in East Africa and Central Asia.
- Real-World Data Access: AKU has access to extensive health datasets — hospital EHR, community health surveys, disease registries, and demographic surveillance data — providing rich research opportunities.
- Academic Career Path: Senior Instructor → Assistant Professor → Associate Professor → Professor. AKU supports faculty development through research funding, sabbaticals, and international collaborations.
- Interdisciplinary Environment: Work alongside epidemiologists, biostatisticians, health policy experts, clinicians, and computer scientists in a truly multidisciplinary setting.
- Competitive Compensation: AKU offers market-competitive academic salaries with comprehensive benefits for regular faculty.
💡 Expert Tips for CHS Faculty Applicants
1. Quantify Your Research Impact
Provide concrete metrics: number of publications in peer-reviewed journals (specify impact factors), citation counts (h-index), research grants secured (amounts and funding agencies), and datasets analyzed (size, type, source). Health data science is a quantitative field — your application should reflect this.
2. Demonstrate Technical Proficiency Concretely
Don't just list R, Python, and TensorFlow. Specify: "Built a deep learning model using TensorFlow/Keras to predict hospital readmission from 500,000 EHR records (AUC 0.87)" or "Developed an R Shiny dashboard for real-time disease surveillance used by district health offices." Provide links to GitHub repositories or deployed applications.
3. Prepare a Teaching Demonstration
Be ready to deliver a sample lecture on a health data science topic — e.g., "Introduction to Machine Learning for Health Outcomes Prediction" or "Data Visualization for Public Health Decision-Making." Demonstrate technology-enabled teaching methods.
4. Highlight Health Domain Knowledge
This is a faculty role in Community Health Sciences, not Computer Science. Demonstrate your understanding of public health concepts, health systems, and the application of data science to real-world health challenges in low and middle-income countries.
5. Show Interdisciplinary Collaboration Experience
The role requires working with clinicians, epidemiologists, and policy experts. Provide examples of multidisciplinary research projects where you served as the data science/AI expert.
6. For Assistant Professor Applicants — Demonstrate Research Independence
Evidence of independent research is required. Show first-author or senior-author publications, PI or Co-I roles on grants, and a clear research agenda that you can articulate.
7. For Senior Instructor Applicants — Emphasize Teaching Excellence
Demonstrated interest in teaching is key. Include a teaching portfolio with course outlines, student evaluations, and examples of innovative teaching methods (hybrid/online, flipped classroom, project-based learning).
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic Academic CV Without Data Science Focus: This is specifically a health data science/AI/ML role. A general public health CV without computational expertise will not be competitive.
- Listing Skills Without Evidence: Stating "proficient in Python and R" is insufficient. Provide concrete examples of projects, publications, or applications built using these tools.
- Missing the Publication Requirement: A strong record of research and publications in data science/ML/AI applied to health is required. Candidates without relevant publications are not eligible.
- Insufficient Postdoctoral Experience (Assistant Professor): At least 2 years of postdoctoral or research experience is required. Fresh PhDs without postdoc experience may not qualify.
- Applying Without Understanding CHS's Mission: CHS focuses on community health, population health, and health systems in Pakistan and similar settings. Demonstrate how your data science expertise applies to these contexts.
- Unprepared References: AKU conducts comprehensive employment and academic reference checks.
📈 Career Growth Opportunities
- Academic Career Ladder: Senior Instructor → Assistant Professor → Associate Professor → Professor → Department Chair → Dean.
- Research Leadership: Establish yourself as a Principal Investigator leading health data science research programs funded by HEC, Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, NIH, or WHO.
- Digital Health Leadership: Position yourself at the forefront of Pakistan's digital health transformation — advising government, WHO, and international organizations on AI in health.
- Global Academic Mobility: AKU faculty with strong publication records are competitive for positions at leading global universities and research institutions.
- Industry Collaboration: Build partnerships with health-tech companies, pharmaceutical firms, and technology giants (Google Health, Microsoft Healthcare) for research and consulting.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: What is the last date?
A: 28 June 2026 at 11:59 PM. - Q: How many faculty tracks are available?
A: Two tracks — Assistant Professor and Senior Instructor. - Q: What qualification is required for Assistant Professor?
A: PhD or equivalent with at least 2 years of postdoctoral or research experience. - Q: Can MBBS graduates apply?
A: Yes — for the Senior Instructor track. MBBS with MSc/MPhil in Data Science, Biostatistics, or a related field is acceptable. - Q: What programming skills are required?
A: R, Python, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Spark, and cloud-based platforms. - Q: Is this a permanent position?
A: Yes. Regular (Standard) employment with AKU's academic benefits. - Q: How do I apply?
A: Via AKU Taleo Portal: https://aku.taleo.net/careersection/ex/joblist.ftl?lang=en. Ref: #2600028F. - Q: Does AKU conduct reference checks?
A: Yes. Comprehensive employment checks for all faculty positions. - Q: Is teaching experience required?
A: Demonstrated ability to teach using innovative methods is required. Hybrid/online teaching experience is preferred. - Q: What are CHS's five sections?
A: Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, Population & Reproductive Health, Environmental-Occupational and Climate Change (EOHCC), and Non-Communicable Diseases & Mental Health.
🏁 Final Words
The Faculty position at AKU's Department of Community Health Sciences is a rare and prestigious opportunity to join Pakistan's premier public health institution at the forefront of health data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. With two tracks — Assistant Professor for PhD-level researchers with postdoctoral experience and Senior Instructor for MSc/MPhil-level data scientists with teaching passion — this recruitment seeks to build CHS's capacity in computational public health for the digital age.
If you have expertise in R, Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, big data analytics, and AI applications in health, a strong publication record, and a commitment to advancing population health through data-driven methods — apply now. Submit your application via the AKU Taleo Careers Portal before 28 June 2026 at 11:59 PM. Join CHS and lead the transformation of public health through data science. 🇵🇰
🤖 Join Aga Khan University, Department of Community Health Sciences — Faculty in Health Data Science, AI & Machine Learning. Two tracks: Assistant Professor (PhD + 2 Yrs Postdoc) & Senior Instructor (MSc/MPhil/PhD; MBBS+MSc also accepted). Expertise in R, Python, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Spark required. Regular employment. Karachi. Apply via AKU Taleo Portal before 28 June 2026, 11:59 PM. Ref: #2600028F. 🇵🇰
🌐 Apply Now — AKU Taleo Careers 🏛️ AKU Official Website