PURPOSE OF POSITION

 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based in Lyon, France. The objective of IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

 

The Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch (EGM) conducts hypothesis-driven studies as well as data-driven mechanistic studies with a special emphasis aimed at advancing the understanding of cancer causation and the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and promoting international collaboration, the core activities of IARC. EGM’s ambition is also to place more emphasis on contributions to translational studies, through the discovery of mechanism-based biomarkers of exposure and risk stratification. EGM’s studies are interdisciplinary in nature, and the major EGM programmes promote and advance synergistic collaborations with other IARC laboratory-based scientists, epidemiologists, and evidence synthesis experts, as well as with numerous international collaboration groups.

 

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of the Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch (EGM), the incumbent provides central computational and bioinformatic support to projects that investigate the relevant genomic and epigenomic alterations that underlie the mechanistic bases of cancer formation, as well as their potential utility in biomarker discovery and validation. The incumbent works in close collaboration with Scientists in the Branch, their external collaborators and with the broader bioinformatics community at IARC.

 

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

 

Under the direct supervision of the EGM’s Deputy Head, the incumbent is expected to:

 

1)   Provide computational (programming) and bioinformatic support to the EGM Branch by: 

 

o   Writing own or adapting existing scripts and analytical packages for manipulation of data generated by the Groups’ laboratory activities (including but not limited to genome-wide and targeted DNA sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, genomic location analysis, methylome analysis and chromatin modification profiling using massively-parallel sequencing and/or arrays) and for data obtained from external collaborators and other sources such as public repositories.

 

2)  Assist the Branch scientists in data analysis by:

 

o   Developing or adapting statistical and other types of data analyses including (but not limited to) tertiary analysis, data integration, interpretation, visualization and submission to central repositories;

 

o   Formatting and communicating data in a user-friendly style for inclusion in scientific presentations and publications.

 

3)  Participate in the Agency’s central bioinformatics activities:

 

o   Ensuring that the newly deployed methodologies in MCA are available across IARC and to the wider scientific community, as appropriate;

 

o   Sharing expertise with bioinformaticians in other IARC groups by participating in working groups, seminars and internally organized trainings.

 

4)  Interact with other groups at IARC, in particular the Information Technology Services (ITS) and provide input as to whether the high-performance computing and information technology resources developed at IARC meet the needs of the MMB and EGE groups; this may include membership in the IARC Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Steering Committee.

 

5)  Interact with external collaborators wherever relevant bioinformatics and data analysis knowledge is required, by discussing issues of common interest related to large data sets and their analysis for collaborative projects.

 

6)  Keep abreast of technological developments in bioinformatic resources and tools relevant to the projects conducted in the Section, producing regular activity reports and presenting progress and results during group and section meetings.

 

7)  Perform other relevant duties as requested by the supervisor.

 

 

WHO COMPETENCIES

 

·        Teamwork

 

·        Moving forward in a changing environment

 

·        Communication

 

·        Producing results

 

·        Technical expertise

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION

 

Essential:  Graduation from secondary school or equivalent, and subsequent training (BTS, DUT or equivalent) in the field of bioinformatics, life sciences, computer science/programing, statistics or related field.

 

 

 

 

Desirable University degree in bioinformatics, computer science/statistics or related field.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Essential: At least five years’ experience with high performance computing and/or cluster management using scripting languages/programming (Python and/or R).

 

Desirable: Experience in research environment. Experience in other programming languages using Unix/Linux environment.

 

 

 

 

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

 

Expert knowledge of English is essential. Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SKILLS

 

Essential:

 

·        Knowledge of R for statistical computing and data visualization and of one or more scripting or programming languages (e.g. Perl, Python, Ruby, C or Java etc.), preferably using the Unix/Linux environment.

 

·        Good general understanding of molecular and cell biology.

 

·        Ability to

 

a.      Design, optimize and implement bioinformatic workflows for analysis of complex data.

 

b.      Clearly communicate results to a variety of audiences both orally and in writing;

 

c.      Work autonomously and prioritize work in a demanding work environment;

 

d.      Create clear, concise figures for publications and

 

e.      Work harmoniously as a member of a team with people of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.

 

Desirable: Knowledge of additional statistical packages and/or workflow programming languages would be an asset.

 

 

 

 

REMUNERATION

 

The fixed remuneration for the above position currently amounts to EUR 3,766 per month, and is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share contributions for mandatory participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness and disability.

 

 

 

 

Other benefits include different types of leave and allowances for dependent family members.

 

Employment status is that of an international civil servant.

 

 

 

 

Note: due to the legal status of WHO/IARC as an international organization, its staff do not contribute to and do not generate benefits in French mandatory schemes for health insurance (“assurance maladie”), pension (“assurance vieillesse/retraite or unemployment (“Pôle-Emploi”) throughout their period of employment with the Agency.

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

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

 

·        This post is subject to local recruitment and will ideally be filled by persons residing within the local commuting area of the duty station.

 

·        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 may be 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 [email protected]

 

·        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.