Scientist (cancer epidemiology & statistics/cervical cancer prevention)

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.

Note: This same requisition n° 2101765 was advertised from 15 April-6 May 2021. The advertising period for this vacancy has been extended starting 31 May until 14 June 2021 inclusive. Those who have already applied do not need to reapply.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The goals of the Prevention and Implementation Group (PRI) are to evaluate new preventive strategies, with particular emphasis on the use of new technologies, including molecular markers; to engage in research on methods to implement existing strategies taking into account the social, economic and cultural differences; to collaborate with decision makers to implement already available preventive interventions against cancer, particularly in developing countries where the need is highest and to foster technology transfer and generate educational processes for clinicians, public health decision makers and the public, to make sure the available technology is put in place where it is mostly needed.

More information about the Prevention and Implementation Group (PRI) at IARC can be found at the following link:

https://www.iarc.fr/research-groups-edp-pri-rationale/

The creation of this temporary position is in response to several ongoing initiatives on cervical cancer prevention, particularly on the use of HPV testing in primary screening in LMICs. Ongoing projects such as ESTAMPA in Latin America and CESTA in Africa are producing initial results highlighting research gaps on interventions targeting high-risk populations.

This position is focused on completing analysis of ongoing studies and contributing towards global cervical cancer elimination; this is achieved by expanding from evaluating efficacy and effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention interventions to studying the integration of them into different types of health systems.

Note******: Start date for this position is normally set for as soon as possible. However, in light of the evolving Covid-19 situation (notably in terms of confinement and travel restrictions), the start date of the position may be impacted until such date that the successful candidate be able to physically report for duty in Lyon, France.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Key duties include:

1) Assist in the Group’s efforts to expand its research in the field of cancer prevention and implementation, with particular emphasis on interventions against cervical cancer that could accelerate global cervical cancer elimination.

2) Provide statistical support to scientists for data analysis on the evaluation of the efficacy/effectiveness of different cancer prevention strategies.

3) Participate in the realization and supervision of the ESTAMPA and CESTA studies: coordinating regular database monitoring activities, contributing to the preparation of periodical project reports, performing statistical analyses and writing scientific manuscripts.

4) Contribute to the design, planning, and/or carrying out of other studies relevant to PRI objectives, involving the development of grant proposals aiming to attract funding from competitive sources; the incumbent is expected to lead on specific grant applications.

5) Present study results in scientific meetings and conferences.

6) Participate in educational activities of the Group (e.g. IARC summer school course, trainings in the field, online/video trainings to be used in the field).

7) Carry out other related duties as assigned, including maintaining contacts with funding bodies, undertaking duty travel as needed (up to 4 weeks on average/year) and giving a positive image in the field of the work of the PRI Group and the overall mission of the Agency.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

- PhD (or higher) in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Public Health, or other closely related field relevant for the role.

- Education should involve a strong focus on both biostatistics and epidemiology.

Desirable:

- Formal or other training (e.g. online, on-the-job) in one or more of the following: cancer epidemiology, implementation research, database design and/or database management.

Experience

Essential:

- At least two years of postdoctoral experience in the field of cancer epidemiology.

- Experience programming in statistical analysis packages for epidemiological research (e.g., R, Stata).

- Experience working in collaborative research projects involving international partners.

Desirable:

- Experience in one or more of the following areas: fieldwork in low- and middle-income countries, implementation research, clinical trials, database development and/or database management.

Skills

- Excellent knowledge of both cancer epidemiology and statistical methods for epidemiological research.

- Ability to participate in the preparation and coordination of clinical trials of preventive interventions mainly but not limited to cervical cancer.

- Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts and familiarity with the preparation of grant applications.

- Ability to liaise and communicate effectively with international collaborators (e.g. WHO, external study partners in the field).

- Excellent oral and written communication skills.

WHO Competencies

- Producing results

- Moving forward in a changing environment

- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

- Communicating in a credible and effective way

- Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Expert knowledge of both English and Spanish (read, written and spoken) is essential.

REMUNERATION

IARC salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The fixed remuneration for the above position comprises an annual net salary plus a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station.

Total fixed remuneration for this position currently amounts to USD 72915 (i.e. approximately EUR 61000) per annum which is the sum of: 1) annual net salary of USD 48805 at Level P2 of the UN professional salary scale, plus 2) post adjustment for Lyon, France currently amounting to an annualized figure of USD 24110.

The fixed remuneration is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share of contributions for mandatory participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness and disability.

Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave and allowances for dependent family members.

Subject to certain conditions, under temporary appointment, internationally-recruited staff may also be entitled to relocation travel & shipment, settling-in grant upon appointment and/or education grant for dependent children.

Employment status is that of international civil servant.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• We only accept applications submitted via our online recruitment tool, which should be filled out in English and include a cover letter. Application profiles should include the details of all work experiences to date (full career details).

• It is mandatory to attach a full list of publications. To add this list, please go to your profile under the dedicated "publication" tab.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for assessment and interview (held remotely).

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

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int

• WHO/IARC is committed to workforce diversity.

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