Scientist (Mathematical Modelling)

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 cancer agency of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is based in Lyon, France.

The Early Detection, Prevention, and Infections (EPR) Branch focuses its research on the evaluation of multi-level/multi-component interventions (i.e. vaccination, screening) to decrease cancer incidence, improve cancer early diagnosis, and decrease cancer mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) using implementation research frameworks. EPR studies will contribute towards WHO global cervical cancer and Hepatitis elimination targets for 2030, as well as WHO global breast cancer initiative targets.

The position will assist in the unfolding of the METHIS project, which includes the development of a tool (i.e., an open-source modular modelling platform for cervical cancer control) that countries can use to identify context-specific optimal maximum age of catch up for HPV vaccine among older girls and women, and the assessment of context-specific optimal maximum age of catch-up for HPV vaccination among girls/women in low- and middle-income countries in supporting the global scale-up of cervical cancer prevention.

The position will allow EPR branch to consolidate and expand its expertise and impact in public health decision modelling.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Conduct the METHIS modelling project by:

• Developing and applying analytical framework to define criteria for context-specific optimal maximum age of catch-up.
• Contributing to the development of relevant databases of country-specific epidemiological and health economic data to facilitate project implementation.
• Assisting in the development of an open-source integrated modelling platform for modelling of the impact of cervical cancer prevention strategies on HPV transmission and cervical cancer needed to facilitate the project implementation.

2. Contribute to mathematical and statistical modelling on IARC collected epidemiological and health economic data to project and/or evaluate the impact of cervical cancer prevention strategies.
3. Support modelling studies to project and/or evaluate the impact of innovative strategies of cervical cancer prevention across high-, low- and middle-income countries.
4. Prepare scientific manuscripts and alternative communication material to disseminate studies’ results to scientific and non-scientific stakeholders.
5. Identify key internal and external partnership opportunities to facilitate the research plans implementation.
6. Supervise and guide students and trainees to strengthen the capacity of the public health decision-modelling team.
7. Contribute to grants proposal writing to stimulate research funding from direct or competitive sources for research related to cervical cancer prevention.

COVID-19 MEASURES

Due to the evolving situation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, and depending on work requirements, this position may be partly occupied remotely, from the home of the candidate selected in the region Lyon, according to the teleworking clause for force majeure currently in force as part of the IARC teleworking policy during this pandemic period.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Producing results
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Communication.
• Technical expertise.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organisation and beyond.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: PhD degree in Mathematical modelling or any other closely related discipline.

Desirable: Specialisation in cervical cancer epidemiology. Additional qualifications in Statistics, Health Economics and/or Infectious Disease Epidemiology

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least one year of professional experience in mathematical modelling on cervical cancer and public health decision modelling targeted to low- and middle-income countries

Desirable:

• Post-doctoral experience.
• Experience in cancer research in international organizations.
• Proven hands-on experience in developing, coding, and running infectious disease transmission models and in reporting the results in scientific publications (at least 4 publications).

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Expert knowledge of English is essential.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Proven ability to organise, plan and manage scientific projects.
• Strategic, critical, and analytical thinking.
• Scientific background in cancer prevention topics
• Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions.
• Advanced mathematical and statistical skills
• Excellent drafting and communication skills
• Mastery knowledge of public speaking techniques
• Proven track record in supervising students and/or trainees

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

• Advanced knowledge of statistical software R.
• Programming experience in High Performance Computing “HPC”.
• 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 38,523 (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 1,296 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

● Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

● A written test and/or seminar presentation may be used as a form of screening.

● In the event that 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.

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

● WHO staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

● For information on IARC’S operations please visit: www.iarc.who.int

● IARC/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

● IARC/WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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

● Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Participating States are particularly encourage.