Sr Research Assistant (Data management & Analysis)

• Country: Lyon, France
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-02-08

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 major focus of the Genomic Epidemiology Branch (GEM) is to coordinate and lead several major consortium-based epidemiological and molecular studies to better understand the causes of cancer, and contribute to risk prediction and early detection. This notably includes the collection of a large number of human samples and generation of molecular data (e.g. genomics, metabolomics) across cancer populations.

The aim of the position is to manage, harmonize and consolidate molecular, epidemiological and clinical data from the Mutographs, Prominent and other large GEM projects, identifies, develops and applies software tools for efficient data integration and for mining diverse types of biological data, liaise with internal and external collaborators and participates in statistical analyses required.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Scientist GEM (deputy branch head), and overall guidance of the Scientist (GEM branch head), the incumbent will perform the below tasks:

1)      Organize the GEM project databases for downstream analyses integrating multiple data types (e.g. molecular, epidemiological, clinical data).

2)      Propose and implement novel bioinformatics analysis strategies adapted to analytical needs:

1. Build innovative frameworks for data integration and automated data mining.
2. Develop reusable libraries and implement best coding practices to build and continually improve the branch computational capabilities and workflows.

3)      Conduct statistical analyses: implement existing methodologies in standard statistical software (e.g. in R, SAS, Python), including quality control of data and analyses.

4)      Facilitate access, storage, manipulation of high-dimensional data from external collaborators and other sources such as public repositories; and reciprocally, format data for submission to central repositories.

5)      Apply methods within high performance computational environments for analysis of complex datasets.

6)      Facilitate resulting data visualization (graphs, tables…) for inclusion in scientific documents.

7)      Act as the main point of contact for GEM with internal and external collaborators to ensure that data is provided and received in a timely and secure manner and/or provide applicable guidance (e.g. data transfer, data structure).

8)      Liaise with other data management/analyst assistants of the branch to organize and document databases from previous and ongoing studies to facilitate current or future required analyses.

9)      Participate in the identification of strengths and limitations of strategies for quality control and analyses of data generated by the branch activities. Provide technical guidance to GEM staff as well as to Early Career and Visiting Scientists, as required.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Producing results
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Technical expertise

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Graduation from secondary school or equivalent, and subsequent training (BTS, DUT or equivalent) in the field of bioinformatics, life sciences, computer science/programing, statistics or related field..

Desirable: University degree in bioinformatics, computer science/statistics or related field.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least five years’ experience with high performance computing and/or cluster management using scripting languages/programming (Python and/or R).

Desirable:

• Experience in research environment.
• Experience in other programming languages using Unix/Linux environment.
• Hands-on experience with REDCap data platform.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Data management including epidemiological, clinical and large sets of genomic data.
• Knowledge of various scripting/programing languages (Python/R/ Unix/Linux) and their application in appropriate computational environments.
• Hands-on knowledge of large sets of health-related data analysis, including proven track record in analyses of one or more genomic techniques.

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365 package.

REMUNERATION

The fixed remuneration for the above position currently amounts to EUR 3,766 per month, and 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 (UNJSPF) and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness and disability.

Other benefits include different types of leave and allowances for dependent family members.Employment status is that of an international civil servant.

Note: due to the legal status of WHO/IARC as an international organization, its staff do not contribute to and do not generate benefits in French mandatory schemes for health insurance (“assurance maladie”), pension (“assurance vieillesse/retraite or unemployment (“Pôle-Emploi”) throughout their period of employment with the Agency.

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