Research Assistant

About This Job

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad, through its Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC), is inviting applications for two Research Assistant positions in the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities. The posts are attached to an HEC-funded National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU) project titled "Climate Change and Human Rights: A Human Rights Approach Towards Climate Danger in Pakistan," and represent one of the very few advertised vacancies AIOU has published on its careers page in recent weeks, most of which is otherwise dominated by admissions and academic-programme notices rather than staff recruitment. This is a genuine, currently open research-support opportunity for candidates interested in contributing to a funded human-rights and climate-research initiative at a major public-sector university.

Applicants should hold an MPhil in Social Sciences with a focus on Climate Justice, Human Rights, Sociology, or International Relations from an HEC-recognized university, along with specialization suited to research and community-development work. The project specifically requires experience in data collection, SPSS, note-taking, and data tabulation/compilation, together with expertise in analysis tools such as NVivo, and at least five years of relevant experience working with well-reputed international or national organizations on programmes focused on vulnerable populations, community-based initiatives, or rights-based work. Prior working experience in South Punjab and Sindh is preferred for one of the two positions, since the project's fieldwork extends into those regions. The role is open to all genders, carries no domicile restriction, and is offered strictly on a contract basis tied to the project's twelve-month funding cycle, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and continued project funding, at a monthly remuneration of Rs. 100,000.

Interested and eligible candidates should email their application together with an updated CV, active contact numbers, a copy of their CNIC, and any relevant experience certificates to malik.hammad@aiou.edu.pk within seven days of this advertisement's publication. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be entertained, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a test or interview; no travel or daily allowance is admissible for either stage. The position is based in Islamabad but involves travel to field areas in South Punjab and Sindh, and successful candidates should be prepared for that field component as part of the role. Given the short seven-day application window from the date of publication, interested candidates are encouraged to prepare and send their application without delay, ensuring their CV clearly reflects the specific data-analysis and community-development experience the project is seeking.

Job Information

Commission / Board

AIOU

Place of posting

Anywhere in federal

City

Islamabad

Postal Code

44000

Domicile

All Punjab Basis

Age (Male)

18–35 years

Age (Female)

18–35 years

Salary / BPS

₨100,000 per month

Contract duration

12 months (subject to satisfactory performance and continuity of the project)

Advt. date

7 September 2026

Last date

14 September 2026

Qualification Required

• Qualification: MPhil in Social Sciences with a focus on Climate Justice, Human Rights, Sociology, or International Relations from an HEC-recognized university, with specialization in research and community development; expertise in data collection, SPSS, NVivo, and data tabulation/analysis; at least 5 years of experience working with international/national organizations on vulnerable-population, community-based, or rights-based programming; working experience in South Punjab and Sindh preferred for one of the two positions.
• Experience: At least 5 years of experience working with reputable international/national organizations on community-based, rights-based, or vulnerable-population programming.

Posts Breakdown

Important Dates

Advertisement date

7 September 2026

How to Apply

1. Email the application along with an updated CV, active contact numbers, CNIC, and experience certificates (if any) to malik.hammad@aiou.edu.pk within 7 days of the publication of this advertisement.
2. Incomplete or late applications will not be entertained; only shortlisted candidates will be called for a test/interview.
3. No TA/DA is admissible for the test/interview.
4. The position is based in Islamabad with travel to field areas including South Punjab and Sindh.

Additional Details

Contact Email

malik.hammad@aiou.edu.pk

Project Title

Climate Change and Human Rights: A Human Rights Approach Towards Climate Danger in Pakistan (NRPU-HEC 2025-26, Ref: 143121-62)

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