Scientist

**Grade**: P2

**Contractual Arrangement**: Fixed-term appointment

**Job Posting**: Aug 23, 2024, 8:23:03 AM

**Closing Date**: Sep 15, 2024, 4:59:00 PM

**Primary Location**: France-Lyon

**Organization**: Early Detection, Prevention and Infections

**Schedule**: Full-time

**PURPOSE** **OF** **POSITION**

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (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 incumbent will support coordination of research in the Public Health Decision Science (PHDS) team. Research activities to be coordinated include evidence-based and context-responsive modelling studies to support local public health decisions related to cancer prevention as well as field studies to collect novel data on the health and societal burden of cancer to inform public health decision modelling and to monitor the progress towards cervical cancer elimination.

**DESCRIPTION** **OF** **DUTIES**

1) Support coordination, conceptualization, conduction, dissemination of public health decision modelling studies in the PHDS team, with the focus on supporting cervical cancer elimination.

2) Coordinate maintenance and development of the PHDS team’s modelling platform METHIS for prediction of the impact of preventive measures against HPV and cervical cancer.

3) Interrelate maintenance and development of the PHDS team’s databases of country-specific modelling input data of cervical cancer epidemiological and socio-economic indicators.

4) Harmonise and contribute to activities of field study to collect data on health and socio-economic burden of cervical cancer, and on the impact of cervical cancer preventive measures.

5) Supervise and guide ECVS and junior researchers to strengthen the capacity of the team.

6) Prepare scientific manuscripts and alternative communication material to disseminate studies’ results to scientific and non-scientific stakeholders.

7) Contribute to grant proposal writing to stimulate research funding from direct or competitive sources for research related to cervical cancer elimination.

8) Carry out related duties as assigned by the Supervisor and the Branch Head.

**WHO** **COMPETENCIES**
- Producing results.
- Teamwork.
- Communication.
- Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

**FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE**

**Essential**:

- Strategic, critical, and analytical thinking.
- In-depth mathematical and statistical skills.
- Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions.
- Project management and coordination skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Proven track record in supervising students and/or trainees.
- Proven ability to organise, plan, and manage scientific projects.

**Desirable**:

- **REQUIRED** **QUALIFIC**A**TIONS**

**EDUC**A**TION**

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

**Desirable**: Specialisation in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and/or Cancer Epidemiology.

**PROFESSIONAL** **EXPERIENCE**

**Essential**:At least two years of working experience in Public Health Decision Science, part of which focusing on modelling context-specific Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and cervical cancer prevention.

**Desirable**:Experience in one or more of the following areas:

- Designing and conducting field studies.
- Communicating with public health authorities
- Collaborating with international organizations.
- Supervising junior scientists.
- Managing projects’ budgets.

**USE** **OF** **LANGUAGE** **SKILLS**

Expert knowledge of English is essential, working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

**Other Considerations (e.g. Physical Workplace Condition, if other than normal office environment; IT Skills; etc.)**
- Advanced knowledge of statistical software R.
- Programming experience in High Performance Computing.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office.

**REMUNER**A**TION**

**ADDITIONAL** **INFORM**A**TION**
- This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level or lower.
- A written test and/or presentation/seminar may be used as a form of screening.
- 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 t