PURPOSE OF POSITION

 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization. The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

 

 

 

 

The Genomic Epidemiology Branch (GEM) at IARC specializes in organizing large international collaborations to better understand cancer aetiology and to advance early cancer detection.

 

 

 

 

GEM has recently secured funding for two large-scale projects; The INTEGRAL-AT project aims to improve early detection of lung cancer by optimizing screening with low-dose computed tomography using biomarker-based risk prediction models. The INTEGRAL-AT project aims to translate findings to patient benefit in the medium term. The OPICO project aims to carefully assess the potential etiological role of pharmaceutical opioids in cancer development. The OPICO project is timely and specifically important considering the increased use of pharmaceutical opioids around the world. Both projects involve carrying out coordinated data collection, harmonization, and statistical analyses that bring together study resources from many population cohorts from around the world.

 

 

 

 

Under the supervision of the first and second level supervisors, the position will be embedded within the Integrative Epidemiology Team (IET) in GEM. The IET team specializes in coordinating large collaborative studies with prospective cohorts from around the world for the purpose of understanding cancer aetiology and developing early detection strategies. The team includes several scientists, technical and administrative support staff, and early career scientists. 

 

 

 

 

The objective of the incumbent will be to advance these recently funded projects by assisting the respective principal investigators with study protocols, organization of study resources, implementation of statistical analyses, and writing of manuscripts. This will involve providing technical guidance for support staff and early career scientists and working closely with many IET team members.

 

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

 

 

 

 

The incumbent will support the first and second-level supervisors, as well as other IET scientists, in advancing large-scale projects that focus on early detection/screening and cancer aetiology, with a specific focus on planning and supervising data harmonization, statistical analyses, and preparation of scientific manuscripts. 

 

This will involve the following specific tasks:

 

1)      Establish protocols for participant and sample selection, data harmonization, and statistical analyses for consortium-based projects.

 

2)      Organize stud(ies) databases in coordination with technical staff.

 

3)      Provide day-to-day guidance for early career scientists, with a focus on statistical analysis and writing of scientific manuscripts.

 

4)      In the context of consortium meetings and phone conferences, develop the scientific agenda and material to present study progress and results.

 

5)      Prepare scientific material for grant progress reports.

 

6)      Carry out analyses of large datasets and present results to collaborators and at international conferences.

 

7)      Prepare scientific manuscripts.

 

8)      Develop new or ancillary projects related to cancer early detection/screening and/or cancer aetiology. This will involve:

 

·        Writing grant proposals aiming to attract funding from competitive sources.

 

·        Leading on specific grant applications.

 

9)      Carry out other related duties as assigned by the first and second-level supervisors.

 

 

 

 

WHO COMPETENCIES

 

·        Producing results

 

·        Communication

 

·        Teamwork

 

·        Respecting and promoting cultural differences

 

·        Ensuring the effective use of resources

 

 

 

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION

 

 

 

 

Essential: PhD in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics and/or closely related field.

 

 

 

 

Desirable: –

 

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

 

 

 

Essential: At least one year of hands-on experience in analysis of multi-center epidemiological consortium databases, including imputation of complex missing data

 

 

 

 

Desirable:

 

·        Experience implementing risk prediction models using prospective data.

 

·        Documented experience in conducting translational epidemiology studies related to early cancer detection and/or etiology, ideally including biomarkers.

 

·        Experience in coordination of consortium-based studies, including organization of coordinating center activities and/or communication with individual study sites.

 

·        Experience in designing and conducting epidemiological studies on biomarkers.

 

·        Experience in development and/or validation of cancer risk prediction models.

 

 

 

 

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

 

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

 

Desirable: Working knowledge of another UN language.

 

 

 

 

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

 

·        Advanced knowledge of study design and statistical methodologies in cancer epidemiology, including time-to-event analysis and evaluation of biomarker tests

 

·        Advanced knowledge in translational epidemiology with a focus on cancer screening

 

·        Expertise in R programming.

 

 

 

 

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

 

·        Demonstrated ability in Microsoft office 365 package.

 

 

 

 

REMUNERATION

 

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 39,401 (subject to applicable deductions), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1,625 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

·        This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level or lower.

 

·        Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

 

·        A written test and/or presentation/seminar may be used as a form of screening.

 

·        If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. IARC/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

 

·        According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

 

·        Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and Manual noting that first year of fixed term contracts is a probationary period which maybe extended subject to performance evaluation.

 

·        For information on IARC’s operations please visit: https://www.iarc.who.int, and for more general information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

 

·        IARC/WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The IARC/WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

 

·        IARC/WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Participating States  https://www.iarc.who.int/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-at-iarc are strongly encouraged to apply for IARC/WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int.

 

·        An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. IARC/WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the IARC/WHO Values Charter https://www.iarc.who.int/about-iarc-who-ethics into practice.

 

·        IARC/WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the IARC/WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to IARC/WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, IARC/WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

 

·        IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

 

·        IARC/WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to fully express and develop their talents.

 

·        The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

 

·        Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

 

·        Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with IARC/WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.  Candidates appointed to an international post with IARC/WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.