Scientist

Overview

Conduct international research in cancer survival and outcome.

You have:

• PhD in epidemiology or biostatistics or in a similar field of research.
• At least two years' professional experience in cancer epidemiology and/or survival analysis.
• Expert knowledge of English is essential.
• Working knowledge of French or another UN language is desirable.
• Additional training in survival statistical analysis is desirable.
• Experience with studies involving international multicentric collaborations.
• Supervision of early career scientists (Master or PhD level) and technical personnel is desirable.

Contract

This is a P-2 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 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 Cancer Surveillance (CSU) branch at IARC is responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information concerning the global cancer burden. In order to achieve this objective, CSU works closely with and provides support to cancer registries around the world. Alongside the use of cancer registry data in the production of online global cancer statistics tools, incorporated into the Global Cancer Observatory (http://gco.iarc.fr/), CSU serves as the definitive reference source for the provision of information concerning worldwide cancer statistics including cancer survival as well as cancer incidence and mortality. Using a comprehensive view of the burden combining the three indicators above, CSU aims to provide benchmarking to explore reasons for international differences in cancer survival and long-term outcome such as recurrence to ultimately influence national cancer policies and clinical guidelines to improve cancer outcomes.

As a member of a team, and under the direct supervision of the Deputy Branch Head and overall guidance of the Branch Head, the incumbent is responsible for conducting international research using core indicators of cancer surveillance including cancer survival and outcome. The incumbent is responsible for supporting, adapting and, where applicable, developing novel statistical methods in the field of cancer outcome including recurrence and survival, developing research protocols for high-quality data collection and the analysis and evaluation of methods, liaison with collaborators, supervision of statistical analysis within CSU, dissemination and publication of results, as well as attracting research funding from competitive sources. The incumbent is expected to stimulate synergy across the researchers in the Branch and IARC and with CSU’s international collaborators.

This position is critical to develop relevant global indicators and related research activities at IARC, within the domains of descriptive epidemiology and expected to develop global indicators (e.g., net survival) for inclusion in IARC’s Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) and assess the role of prevention, early detection and diagnosis and cancer treatment. Collaborative work with internal and external technical partners is an integral part of this role; the incumbent will work closely with CSU supervisors.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Branch Head, and overall guidance of the branch head, the incumbent is responsible for:

1. Adapt and develop new statistical methodologies applied to the multi-disciplinary field of descriptive cancer epidemiology.
2. In the context of international epidemiological studies on cancer survival, conduct epidemiological research projects including the analyses of core cancer indicators such as cancer survival.
3. Contribute to the development of international inter-disciplinary research projects on cancer outcome and survival with an aim to disentangle the multiple potential explanations for the differences in cancer burden and survival between countries.
4. Contribute to the analysis of global cancer data to inform cancer prevention.
5. Supervise and train the relevant technical staff and fellows in the Branch.
6. Write and disseminate scientific manuscripts and reviews describing the results of studies and prepare technical and scientific reports.
7. Contribute to writing grants with a view to attracting research funding from competitive sources.
8. Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Technical expertise
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Excellent knowledge of statistical methods applied to epidemiology.
• Ability to use statistical programmes such as STATA or R which are essential in the cancer survival analysis.
• Excellent knowledge of statistical methods and concepts used in cancer epidemiology, including public health and clinical issues of cancer outcome and survival.
• Good knowledge of setting up and managing Git repositories for collaborative work.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good publication record in international journals.
• Familiar with preparation of grant applications.

Ability to:

• Behave consistently in accordance with clear personal ethics and values.
• Discuss, understand and interpret relevant epidemiological, biostatistical and public health issues in the context of survival analysis.
• Proactively engage and take initiatives in the conduct and evaluation of the studies.
• Work in international collaborative projects.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: PhD in epidemiology or biostatistics or in a similar field of research.

Desirable: Additional training in survival statistical analysis.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least two years' professional experience in cancer epidemiology and/or survival analysis.

Desirable: Experience with studies involving international multicentric collaborations and multidisciplinary teams (epidemiologists, clinicians, statisticians) on cancer. Supervision of early carrier scientists (Master or PhD level) and technical personnel.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English is essential.

Desirable: Working knowledge of French or another UN language.

OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT)

• Knowledge of MS Office 365 office suite.

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 56,046 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2,578 per month for the duty station indicated above (subject to change). 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