Scientist

Contract

This is a P-1 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 1 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 44,593 USD and 61,628 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 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 goal of the Genomic Epidemiology (GEM) Branch is to improve understanding of cancer onset and survival, and early detection. Work within the GEM branch is divided into six more general themes, one of which the Rare Cancers Genomics (RCG) Team specifically contributes to: somatic cancer genomics and molecular characterization.

The overarching aim of the RCG Team is to shed light on the molecular characteristics of rare cancers through an international, multidisciplinary, open-science initiative. Through the combination of traditional sequencing approaches, multi-omics data integration, and novel innovative technologies including of spatial omics and deep learning computer vision algorithms, the initiative aims to understand cancer etiology and development, improve classification systems and clinical management, and consequently prognosis, for these often-neglected patients.

Although individually rare, rare cancers, defined as those which occur in less than 6 in 100,000 people, account for 25% of cancer deaths, representing a substantial burden of disease. Overall, basic biological and clinical knowledge for rare cancers is lacking, and many of the barriers to research directly stem from the low incidence rates of individual tumor types. Identifying new approaches to study rare cancers that help overcome the intrinsic limitation of low numbers would improve the clinical management and health outcomes of these discriminated patients.

Twelve families of rare cancers have been identified by the RARECARE project, two of which are the current focus of the Rare Cancers Genomics (RCG) team: neuroendocrine tumors, and thoracic tumours including mesothelioma. The RCG team now aims to expand their research into an additional rare cancer family, sarcomas, specifically soft tissue sarcomas in both adults and children. The incumbent will assist the RCG team's expansion into sarcoma genomics research through the development of the SARCOMICS and SARkidOMICS projects. Responsibilities will include management of the research area, study design of individual projects, data analysis, and results dissemination.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is a Scientist within the RCG team, led by two co-team leaders. The incumbent will report directly to a team leader and will perform the below duties:

1) Assist with the continuing development and management of cancer genomics cohorts, including liaising with collaborators, and managing sample selection and shipment for data generation.

2) Coordinate, perform, and interpret multi-omic data analyses.

3) Lead scientific manuscripts related to the project and assist in the preparation of other RCG team manuscripts.

4) Disseminate results at national and international meetings.

5) Contribute to resource mobilization with a view to attracting research funding from competitive sources.

WHO COMPETENCIES

· Producing results

· Fostering integration and teamwork

· Communication

· Knowing and managing yourself

· Moving forward in a changing environment

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: PhD in genomics or epigenomics of cancer, or related field.

Desirable: PhD in field of pediatric cancer, training in multi-omics data integration and analysis.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least 1 year of experience in molecular profiling and characterization of cancer. Experience in molecular profiling and characterization of pediatric cancer.

Desirable: -

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French languages.

Desirable: -

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

· Knowledge of establishment and management of large cancer genomics studies.

· Familiarity with submission of human research ethics applications.

· Good knowledge of cancer biology, particularly genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, including of pediatric cancer.

· Good knowledge of statistics.

· Experience in analysis of whole-genome, and transcriptome sequencing data, DNA methylation array processing and analysis, and multi-omics integration.

· Proficient in use of the R statistical programing environment, and job submission and scheduling for high performance computing clusters.

· Thorough knowledge of writing scientific manuscripts.

· Ability to write competitive funding applications.

· Good mentoring skills to guide students.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Desirable: Good knowledge of deep learning image analysis and spatial and single-cell transcriptomics.

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

· Knowledge of Microsoft office 365 office 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 1,851 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.