Statistician (Cancer Epidemiology)

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The contribution of nutrition to cancer etiology entails the interplay between lifestyle and endogenous exposures, including genetics, metabolic factors and the microbiome. Statistical models widely used in cancer epidemiology increasingly incorporate high-dimensional information.

The Section of Nutrition and Metabolism (NME) offers a unique research setting in which expertise on cancer epidemiology and nutrition meets biomarker and -omics research.

Within the Nutritional Methodology and Biostatistics Group (NMB), statistical tools are being developed for the integration and analysis of molecular and epidemiological data within studies of nutrition and cancer. The availability of a wide spectrum of laboratory measurements and questionnaire data on dietary, lifestyle, and anthropometric exposures in the NME Section represents an ideal setting to foster methodological work to increase our understanding of biological mechanisms of carcinogenesis and to support cancer prevention.

As Statistician in the Nutritional Methodology and Biostatistics (NMB) Group, the incumbent is expected to develop research activities in the field of Statistics applied to cancer epidemiology, therefore strengthening current expertise in the analysis and quantification of the role of risk factors with respect to cancer aetiology, but also enhancing knowledge in the increasingly complex milieu of cancer research. The role includes strategic planning of methodological initiatives in the field of Statistics, providing advice to the NMB Group Head on topics related to the Programme of the Group, ensuring high-level statistical support to early-career and senior staff within the Nutrition and Metabolism (NME) Section. The incumbent is expected to stimulate development of statistical activities by initiating intramural and extramural collaborations with relevant worldwide statistical experts. As Statistician, the incumbent is expected to contribute to the wider goals of the NME Section by conducting research on cancer prevention and by engaging in training activities.

More information about the NMB Group and NME Section at IARC can be found at the following links\:

https\://www.iarc.fr/research-groups-nme-nmb-rationale/

https\://www.iarc.fr/research-sections-nme/

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Nutritional Methodology and Biostatistics (NMB) Group Head, the incumbent is responsible for\:

• Supporting current and developing new statistical tools aimed to optimize the investigation of the relationship between lifestyle factors, molecular biomarkers, -omics data and the risk of cancer within prospective cohorts, case-control studies and consortia-based projects;

• Conducting methodological research for the evaluation of causal relationships between lifestyle and molecular factors, intermediate endpoints and the risk of cancer, as well as for the analysis of complex data on multimorbidity and cancer co-morbidity;

• Providing additional expertise to develop increasingly complex analytical frameworks for the analysis of –omics data by using multivariate techniques to relate high- dimensional molecular and genetic data to lifestyle factors and to disease indicators;

• Assisting with the supervision of master’s level and doctoral students, as well as post-doctoral fellows within the NMB Group, and across the NME Section;

• Providing statistical support to early career and senior scientists of the NME Section for epidemiological analyses of lifestyle and molecular data – including metabolomics, DNA methylation, hormone measurements and proteomics – in relation to cancer endpoints in large-scale prospective cohort studies, as well as in intervention studies;

• Developing a solid line of research, independently or in collaboration with other scientists within or outside the Section, which complements the scientific goals of the Group; the incumbent will also promote the interaction with statisticians in other Sections within IARC.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: PhD in biostatistics, statistics, mathematics or similar field.

Desirable\: Training in Cancer Epidemiology and/or molecular epidemiology.

Experience

Essential\:

- At least five years of relevant professional experience; proven experience programming using statistical analysis packages (e.g. R, Stata)

- Solid publication record in peer-reviewed journals

Desirable\:

- Experience in one or more of the following areas\: nutritional epidemiology, cancer epidemiology, molecular/genetic epidemiology

- Work experience in an international context

Skills

Required WHO competencies\:

Ability to\:

1/ Produce and deliver quality results

2/ Set an example by behaving in accordance with clear personal ethics and values

3/ Foster integration and teamwork

4/ Communicate in a credible and effective way

5/ Respect and promote individual and cultural differences

Functional skills\:

The functional skills listed below are all essential\:

1/ Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of statistical methods in Cancer Epidemiology

2/ Advanced knowledge of survival analysis, including competing risks and multi-state analysis

3/ Advanced knowledge of multivariate analysis, to be used in association analyses of –omics data

4/ Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts and preparation of grant applications

Languages

Expert level of English and at least intermediate knowledge of French are both essential.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration for WHO/IARC staff in the Professional and higher category is quoted 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 84171 per annum which is the sum of\: 1) annual net salary of USD 59151 at Level P3/Step I of the UN professional salary scale, plus 2) post adjustment for Lyon, France currently amounting to an annualized figure of USD 25020.

The fixed remuneration is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share 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, internationally-recruited staff may also be entitled to relocation travel & shipment, settling-in grant upon appointment, home leave and/or education grant for dependent children.

More information about the remuneration and benefit package applicable at WHO/IARC can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/careers/what-we-offer/en/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

• Application profiles should include the details of all of the candidate's work experiences to date (full career details).

• All candidates are strongly encouraged to add a cover letter (in English) to their online application.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• Candidates called for interview will be expected to give a seminar.

• Seminars and interviews with shortlisted candidates are expected to take place at IARC in Lyon, France, during the first half of February 2019.

• 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. Applications from women are particularly encouraged.

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