Scientist, P2 at the International Agency for Research on Cancer

International Agency for Research on Cancer -Section of Environment and Radiation (ENV)

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) offers unique opportunities to study the burden, causes and prevention of cancer worldwide. IARC specialises in the integration of laboratory and population-based sciences and in co-ordinating and conducting multi-centre studies.

The Section of Environment and Radiation (ENV) investigates risk factors of cancer in human populations related to environmental, lifestyle, occupational or radiation-related exposures.

These objectives are achieved through international epidemiological collaborative studies, contributing to the overall strategy of the Agency leading to the identification of causes of human cancer and their prevention.

Within the framework of the ENV Section, the successful candidate will be expected to:

1. Coordinate all aspects of fieldwork of a prospective multi-country study of disparities in breast cancer outcomes in Africa.
2. Prepare 4 sites for fieldwork commencement. Study coordination will include ensuring local staff recruitment and training, ethics applications, testing of mHealth technologies for data collection, adapting questionnaires to local situations, and continuous monitoring of patient recruitment and follow-up. Liaise with local sites, monitor fieldwork progress, and organize regular web-based and face-to-face meetings of internationally-based team members.
3. Travel regularly to field sites across West, East and Southern Africa. Field trips may be of 4-6 weeks duration during the project set-up period.
4. Perform statistical analyses and prepare scientific manuscripts in cancer epidemiology.
5. Assist in the Section's effort to expand in the field of environmental and lifestyle cancer epidemiology to launch new studies in low and middle income countries, including identifying research collaborations and contribute to writing grants with a view to attracting research funding from competitive sources.
6. Carry out other related duties as assigned by the Section Head or Director, including maintaining contacts with funding bodies, undertaking duty travel and representing the Agency and Section as required, and supervising pre- and post-doctoral students.

Requirements:

Essential:

• Ph.D. in Epidemiology, or MD/MPH.
• Minimum 2-years' of experience in the coordination of field epidemiology.
• Strong epidemiologic skills including in data management and alertness to potential biases.
• Proven track record to manage projects on time, successfully and independently.
• Team management and maintaining collaborative relationships.

Desirable:

• Working in international collaborative projects.
• Epidemiological fieldwork experience in Africa or in cancer epidemiology.
• Coordination of international collaborative studies.
• Working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Database management and manipulation skills for data collection.
• Postdoctoral experience in the field of cancer epidemiology, as demonstrated by respective lead authorships of relevant peer reviewed publications.

Skills:

• Excellent knowledge in the field of cancer epidemiology, or fieldwork epidemiology in Africa.
• Ability to conduct statistical analyses of epidemiological studies.
• Ability to draft manuscripts and technical reports.
• Familiar with preparation of grant applications.
• Ability to work in international collaborative projects.
• Ability to coordinate epidemiologic fieldwork, on the ground and from a distance.
• Flexibility and innovation to seek novel setting-specific approaches.
• Create and maintain collaborative relationships with multiple research partners.
• Ability to prepare and write manuscripts and reports for funding bodies.
• Excellent project and fieldwork management skills.
• Broad range of epidemiological interests: biological, sociocultural, health systems.

A full description of required qualifications can be found at http://www.iarc.fr (via the Apply button below) under “Vacancies”, Vacancy Notice No. IARC/13/FT327. Only online applications are accepted until 12 September 2013.