Scientist

Overview

Lead research on nutrition and metabolism in cancer prevention

You have:

• PhD degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, human biology, nutrition, or a related field, with training in epidemiological methods.
• At least ten years’ experience in epidemiology/public health with a demonstrated ability to conduct and supervise research work in nutrition and/or metabolism.
• Sustained publication record with evidence of publishing regularly in leading journals in epidemiology/public health.
• Excellent track record of successful fundraising in competitive scientific grants.
• Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of French and other UN languages would be an asset.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 package.

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 110,869 USD and 138,944 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Purpose of the position has been amended to reflect updated NME branch structure

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 overall responsibility of the Branch of Nutrition and Metabolism (NME) is to investigate, through epidemiological and laboratory studies, the causes and prevention of cancer in association with diet, lifestyle, obesity, physical inactivity, and endogenous hormones and metabolism. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) is supported and coordinated by the Branch, in conjunction with its partners on the EPIC Steering Committee. The Branch is also responsible for investigating the role of nutrition and metabolism in causing cancer in developing country contexts.

Research in NME is currently structured around six units that work in an integrated and collaborative way:

Hormones and metabolism: The overarching aim of this unit is to advance research on the role of hormones and metabolism in cancer etiology, building on established molecular epidemiology research on hormone-dependent cancers (with an emphasis on cancers of the breast, endometrium, ovary, and thyroid).

Onco-metabolomics: The onco-metabolomics unit implements modern, state-of-the-art LC-MS-based analytical techniques to assess, measure, and identify metabolites in various biospecimens (blood, urine, stool, tissues) and to study metabolite variations associated with cancer outcomes.

Lifestyle exposure and interventions: The overall goal of this unit is to leverage lifestyle research (e.g. nutrition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and stress research) to enhance the understanding of the causes of lifestyle-related cancers and identify pathways to prevention.

Biostatistics and data integration: This unit provides statistical support to research conducted within NME and oversees the management of epidemiological data, in particular molecular, lifestyle, cancer end-points, and vital status within the EPIC cohort and other NME studies.

Nutrition and cancer multimorbidity: This unit investigates how nutrition, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction interact with cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, in relation to cancer incidence.

Metabolic epidemiology: This unit conducts collaborative research using diverse but complementary analytical methods, including traditional and molecular epidemiological approaches, such as Mendelian randomization, gene–environment interaction, metabolomics, proteomics, and molecular pathological analyses.

The incumbent heads the Branch of Nutrition and Metabolism and reports to the Director of the Agency, who has overall responsibility for the Agency’s programmes. Leadership in nutrition and metabolism is expected from the Head of Branch including innovation and strategic planning. The incumbent is responsible for the Agency’s activities with respect to development and conduct of epidemiological and other studies on relationships between diet, nutrients, lifestyle, obesity, physical inactivity, metabolism and cancer risk in developed and developing regions. The consequence of life course exposures including in early life is of particular interest. The incumbent is expected to promote collaborative work with investigators outside IARC in the field of nutrition and metabolism. The Branch Head is responsible for line-management, including career development, of all staff within the Branch. The Branch Head is also expected to apply and obtain large external research grants, manage the finances of the Branch, from both regular and extra-budgetary sources.

Available guidelines include: The IARC Medium-Term Strategy as approved by the Governing Council every five years and the IARC Programme as reviewed on a biennial basis. Additional guidelines are contained in the IARC Staff Rules and Regulations, the WHO Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service as well as IARC Internal Control Framework and Enterprise Risk Management Policy.

The incumbent is expected to use the available guidelines and personal experience to develop hypotheses and study designs to help improve knowledge of cancer etiology and prevention. The incumbent decides on the allocation of resources to specific projects and establishes the guidelines for the work of others in the Branch, including both general service and professional staff.

Contacts inside the Organization: The incumbent liaises with:

· All staff within the Branch as well as staff of other Branches in order to plan and acquire data and obtain assistance with analysis of epidemiological and biomarker studies;

· IARC’s Communications to coordinate the dissemination of key findings;

· Learning and Capacity Building (LCB) to organize courses and other forms of training;

· IARC’s Senior Advisory Team (SAT) as an active member.

Contacts outside the Organization:

· Numerous scientific collaborators to organize international collaborative studies, including the identification of participants, development of protocols, financial resources, and the overall guidance of the scientific strategy;

· EPIC’s Steering Committee on which the incumbent sits as one of two IARC representatives;

· Relevant contacts in WHO HQ and regional offices;

· Outside experts and international research groups working in the same/related fields as well as

· The public at large, to represent the Agency and to present the work of the Branch at scientific meetings;

· When required, give interviews in the press concerning the results and implications of the research performed in the Branch.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. To direct and oversee epidemiological studies on indicators of cancer risk in relation to diet, lifestyle, obesity, physical inactivity, and metabolism, including life-course events.

2. To develop, in collaboration with other IARC Branches, relevant biomarkers that permit the understanding of the carcinogenic mechanisms by which the above risk factors influence cancer risk.

3. To co-operate and provide leadership where appropriate, to international collaborative studies, including EPIC and other cohort studies.

4. To attract research funding from competitive sources.

5. To identify national research centers for collaboration in implementing study projects, and to plan/implement studies in inter-disciplinary collaborations at IARC and with external research institutions.

6. To oversee administrative matters related to the conduct of research projects, such as obtaining approval from ethical review boards, preparation of requests for funds, and final reporting to funding agencies.

7. To analyze and interpret data from the research projects, present study results to the international research community, and write manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

8. To undertake duty travel and represent the Agency as required.

9. To carry out other related duties as assigned by the Director.

WHO COMPETENCIES

· Producing results

· Teamwork*

· Communication*

· Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences*

· Moving forward in a changing environment

· Creating an Empowering and Motivating Environment

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: PhD degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, human biology, nutrition, or a related field, with training in epidemiological methods.

Desirable: Qualification in biostatistics.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:

· At least ten years’ experience in epidemiology/public health with a demonstrated ability to conduct and supervise research work in nutrition and/or metabolism.

· Sustained publication record with evidence of publishing regularly in the leading journals in epidemiology/public health.

· Excellent track record of successful fundraising in competitive scientific grants.

· Previous supervisory and managerial responsibility in an academic or health service environment, including providing leadership to scientific and support staff.

Desirable:

· Practical experience with biomarker measurements, including supervising laboratory analyses.

· Experience in leading large, multicenter collaborative research projects.

· Proven success in obtaining research grants from international donors.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of French and other UN languages would be an asset.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

· Demonstrated knowledge of epidemiological methods applied to cancer research, and of nutrition and metabolism.

· Knowledge of biomarkers in relation to nutrition and metabolism, as well as a basic knowledge of genetics

· Good knowledge of biostatistics in relation to epidemiology.

· Demonstrated ability to organize and manage a scientific team including the budgetary aspects.

· Strong record in obtaining competitive research funding.

Desirable:

· A working acquaintance with other disciplines within the scope of public health and/or other biological sciences relevant to carcinogenesis.

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

· Knowledge of 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 92,731 (subject to applicable deductions), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 4,147 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.

Potential interview questions