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 goal of the Genomic Epidemiology (GEM) Branch is to improve understanding of cancer onset and survival, and early detection. Work within the GEM branch is divided into six more general themes, one of which the Rare Cancers Genomics (RCG) Team specifically contributes to: somatic cancer genomics and molecular characterization.
The overarching aim of the RCG Team is to shed light on the molecular characteristics of rare cancers through an international, multidisciplinary, open-science initiative. Through the combination of traditional sequencing approaches, multi-omics data integration, and novel innovative technologies including of spatial omics and deep learning computer vision algorithms, the initiative aims to understand cancer etiology and development, improve classification systems and clinical management, and consequently prognosis, for these often-neglected patients.
Although individually rare, rare cancers, defined as those which occur in less than 6 in 100,000 people, account for 25% of cancer deaths, representing a substantial burden of disease. Overall, basic biological and clinical knowledge for rare cancers is lacking, and many of the barriers to research directly stem from the low incidence rates of individual tumor types. Identifying new approaches to study rare cancers that help overcome the intrinsic limitation of low numbers would improve the clinical management and health outcomes of these discriminated patients.
Twelve families of rare cancers have been identified by the RARECARE project, two of which are the current focus of the Rare Cancers Genomics (RCG) team: neuroendocrine tumors, and thoracic tumours including mesothelioma. The RCG team now aims to expand their research into an additional rare cancer family, sarcomas, specifically soft tissue sarcomas in both adults and children. The incumbent will assist the RCG team's expansion into sarcoma genomics research through the development of the SARCOMICS and SARkidOMICS projects. Responsibilities will include management of the research area, study design of individual projects, data analysis, and results dissemination.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent is a Scientist within the RCG team, led by two co-team leaders. The incumbent will report directly to a team leader and will perform the below duties:
1) Assist with the continuing development and management of cancer genomics cohorts, including liaising with collaborators, and managing sample selection and shipment for data generation.
2) Coordinate, perform, and interpret multi-omic data analyses.
3) Lead scientific manuscripts related to the project and assist in the preparation of other RCG team manuscripts.
4) Disseminate results at national and international meetings.
5) Contribute to resource mobilization with a view to attracting research funding from competitive sources.
WHO COMPETENCIES
· Producing results
· Fostering integration and teamwork
· Communication
· Knowing and managing yourself
· Moving forward in a changing environment
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Essential: PhD in genomics or epigenomics of cancer, or related field.
Desirable: PhD in field of pediatric cancer, training in multi-omics data integration and analysis.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Essential: At least 1 year of experience in molecular profiling and characterization of cancer. Experience in molecular profiling and characterization of pediatric cancer.
Desirable: -
USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French languages.
Desirable: -
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential:
· Knowledge of establishment and management of large cancer genomics studies.
· Familiarity with submission of human research ethics applications.
· Good knowledge of cancer biology, particularly genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, including of pediatric cancer.
· Good knowledge of statistics.
· Experience in analysis of whole-genome, and transcriptome sequencing data, DNA methylation array processing and analysis, and multi-omics integration.
· Proficient in use of the R statistical programing environment, and job submission and scheduling for high performance computing clusters.
· Thorough knowledge of writing scientific manuscripts.
· Ability to write competitive funding applications.
· Good mentoring skills to guide students.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Desirable: Good knowledge of deep learning image analysis and spatial and single-cell transcriptomics.
OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)
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This vacancy is archived.