Scientist

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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 Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology “ENV” Branch focuses on environmental and lifestyle risk factors, which knowledge and understanding are critical for effective primary prevention of cancer due to their modifiable nature.

Branch objective 1, “To investigate environmental and lifestyle causes of cancer”, includes epidemiological studies to identify environmental of childhood cancer. Candidate exposures are air pollutants, pesticides, PFAS, radiations (including non-ionizing), among others, utilizing collaborations within the Environment and Child Health International Group (ECHIG) and international networks of public research institutions working on environmental exposure assessment or on childhood cancer aetiology.

Under the direct supervision of the head of ENV, who is also the grant holder of the activities sponsoring this position, the incumbent will be participating in research on environmental causes of childhood cancer. Main objective sits in an EU-funded international project, including the coordination of the entire consortium with the need of the respective coordination skills and the lead of the work package on the association of environmental factors and pre-leukaemic clones requiring the respective subject expertise. The position is integrated in the ENV branch with scientists conducting similar research, but the most direct collaborators will be at partner institutions external to the IARC. The incumbent will be member of the IARC team on childhood cancer.

The position will assist in projects on environmental causes and prevention of childhood cancer, using for exposure assessment biomarkers, modelling techniques, and data from environmental surveillance.

The position will allow ENV branch to achieve its IARC Medium-Term Strategic Objectives and will give an opportunity to the incumbent to build up a career in environmental cancer epidemiology and prevention.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Assist in the coordination of an international EU project on environmental causes of childhood leukaemia, following the guidelines of project coordination by the EU.

2. Assist in leading a multinational project on exposure to air pollutants, pesticides, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances “PFAS”, radiations, among other exposures to chemicals or known risk factors for childhood leukaemia, and the presence of pre-leukaemic clones in maternal, cord, or newborn blood utilizing a consortium of birth cohorts

3. Developing exposure assessment for the epidemiological analyses based on biomarkers and modelling from environmental measurements and the respective statistical analyses.

4. Act as a focal point for project partners, responsible for documentation and monitoring of progress, develop study materials, monitor data collection, write study protocols, perform statistical analysis and write reports.

5. Lead scientific publications and grant applications related to the topic.

6. Participate as coordinating scientists in related activities of the branch, on non-ionizing radiation and childhood cancer risk, and on using Earth observation data to estimate exposure to environmental pollutants in children with cancer and possibly healthy controls.

7. Support the head of branch in related activities including guiding early career scientists, if applicable.

WHO COMPETENCIES

· Teamwork

· Respecting and promoting cultural differences

· Communication

· Producing results

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

· Expert theoretical and practical epidemiology research analytical skills using statistical techniques.

· Effective communication with internal and external counterparts.

· Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts.

· Knowledge on environmental pollutants, their measuring, and exposure assessment in epidemiological studies

Desirable:

· Familiarity with the preparation of grant applications/agreements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: PhD in Physical Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Epidemiology, or a related field

Desirable: Additional qualifications in any of the above, or in public health or cancer prevention

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:

· Minimum two years of experience in cancer research, including involvement in epidemiological studies on at least one exposure factor (air pollution, pesticides, PFAS, or radiation).

· Experience coordinating international scientific consortia on health effects of environmental exposures.

Desirable:

· Experience in work using measurements of environmental pollutants in biological samples.

· Experience in using statistical packages for epidemiological research (e.g., R, Stata, SAS)

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

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.