Senior Research Assistant (Bioinformatics/Data Management & Analysis) – (1704403)
Grade: G5
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-Term Appointment
Contract duration: Two years – Extra budgetary position established for a limited duration of two years. Any extension subject to availability of extra-budgetary funding.
Job Posting : Dec 29, 2017, 5:08:55 PM
Closing Date : Jan 21, 2018, 11:59:00 PM
Primary Location : France-Lyons
Organization : Genetic Epidemiology
Schedule : Full-time
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The purpose of this position is to provide bioinformatics support to the Scientists in the Genetic Epidemiology Group (Section of Genetics) who are investigating the molecular alterations (genomic and complementary omics) across cancer populations with different lifestyle and environmental contexts.
The incumbent is expected to work in close collaboration with Scientists in the Genetics Section (GEN), their external collaborators and the broader bioinformatics community at IARC.
The goals of the Genetic Epidemiology Group (GEP) at IARC are to:
- Identify cancer predisposition genes through large-scale case-control studies of specific cancers with known polymorphisms (and whole genome scans) and through linkage studies of high-risk families;
- Participate in international consortia in order to ensure that studies have adequate sample size; and
- Estimate the age- and site-specific risks of cancer conferred by mutations and/or polymorphic variations in these genes and examine how these risks are modified by known environmental factors.
More information about the GEP Group at IARC can be found at the following link:
https://www.iarc.fr/en/research-groups/GEP/index.php
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the supervision of the first-level supervisor (Scientist within the GEP Group), the incumbent carries out the following key duties:
- Support the integration of omics analyses within GEP’s large scale multidisciplinary studies by bringing additional bioinformatics skills to the Section and by working with the broader bioinformatics community at IARC in order to:
– Participate in the identification of strengths and limitations of strategies for quality control and analyses of high-dimensional data generated by the Group’s activities (including whole-genome sequencing, and complementary genome-wide or targeted molecular data from massively-parallel sequencing and/or arrays);
– Apply existing algorithms and suite of tools for implementing such analytical strategies;
– Facilitate resulting data visualisation and interpretation, as well as integration with data from other omics platforms and/or population-based data.
- Provide computational (programming) support to the GEP Group by:
– Contributing to adapt or develop, together with IARC bioinformaticians, scripts and analytical suites to fit the GEP needs;
– Facilitating access, storage, manipulation of high-dimensional data from external collaborators and other sources such as public repositories;
– Formatting data for submission to central repositories and for inclusion in scientific presentations and publications.
- Participate in the Agency’s central bioinformatics activities:
– Ensuring that the newly deployed methodologies are available across IARC and to the wider scientific community, as appropriate;
– Sharing experience with bioinformaticians in other IARC groups within and across the Section by participating in working groups, seminars and internally organized trainings.
- Interact with external collaborators wherever relevant bioinformatics and data analysis knowledge is required, by discussing issues of common interest related to large data sets and their analysis for collaborative projects.
- Keep abreast of technological developments in bioinformatics resources and tools relevant to the projects conducted in the Section, producing regular activity reports and presenting progress and results during group and section meetings.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Graduation from secondary school or equivalent, and subsequent training (BTS, DUT or equivalent) in the field of specialization with possession of a diploma in bioinformatics, computer science, or related field.
Desirable: Masters degree in bioinformatics, computer science or equivalent and/or training in biology and/or biostatistics.
Experience
Essential: At least five years of professional experience in the field of bioinformatics analysis, using scripting languages and/or R programming, preferably in a research environment. In exceptional cases, outstandingly qualified candidates with less than 5 years of experience may be considered.
Desirable: Experience in manipulating and analysing massively-parallel sequencing and other complex biologic datasets would be an asset. Acquaintance with Linux/Unix based high performance parallel computing with relevant informatics clusters management tools/job schedulers would be helpful.
Skills
Essential:
- Excellent knowledge of one or more scripting or programming languages (e.g. Perl, Python, Ruby, C++ or Java etc.), preferably using the Unix/Linux environment.
- Acquaintance with statistical computing, preferably R statistical software package (or SAS or Stata software suites).
- Good general understanding of molecular and cell biology.
- Ability to understand and implement bioinformatics workflows for analysis of high-dimensional data.
- Ability to: (i) clearly communicate results to a variety of audiences both orally and in writing; (ii) work autonomously and prioritize work in a demanding work environment; (iii) create clear, concise figures for publications and (iv) work harmoniously as a member of a multidisciplinary team with people of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
Desirable: Hands-on knowledge of genomics analyses, especially in the context of cancer and/or epidemiological studies and/or acquaintance with additional types of omics data.
Languages
At least intermediate level of English is essential with intermediate or higher level of French being an asset.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL CANDIDATES:
Online applications can be filled out in English or in French. However, all candidates for this position should include in their online application, a cover letter in English.
Application profiles should include the details of all work experiences to date (including paid internships). Moreover, please include in your application profile, all scripting and programming languages you have worked with including your user level of each package.
In all cases, this recruitment is limited to persons* in possession of a valid permit to work in France.
* Eligible candidates from outside the local commuting area of Lyon must be French nationals or nationals of other countries who have been residing in France for at least three months at the time of recruitment.
Moreover, this recruitment is normally limited to candidates residing in the local commuting area of Lyon, France, although candidates from outside of Lyon are welcome to apply to this vacancy. In the case of several candidates being of equal rating, priority will however be given to candidates residing in the local commuting area.
Candidates are expected to cover their own travel costs to and from IARC premises where the recruitment will take place.
The selected candidate must be prepared to relocate to Lyon at his/her own expense before taking up the position under recruitment.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to give a technical presentation on a designated topic, followed by an interview with the recruitment committee. Technical presentations and interviews are scheduled to take place in Lyon during the week of 5 February 2018.
- Annual salary: Euros 40308, net of French income tax (before deduction of the employee share of private social insurances applicable at IARC, i.e. staff health and accident insurances and pension fund).
- WHO/IARC has its own Staff Health Insurance and Pension plans and is not part of the French Social Security system (« Sécurité Sociale »), the French Pension system or the French unemployment benefit agency (« Pôle-Emploi »).
- 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.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- This vacancy is open to applicants of either sex.
- IARC has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
