Postdoctoral Opportunity Studying the Causes of Cancer at International Agency for Research on Cancer

The Genomic Epidemiology Branch (GEM) at IARC investigates novel and emerging causes of cancer around the world, with the goal to contribute to cancer prevention. It does this by combining epidemiology and genomics techniques, along with collaborations with leading international academic, research and clinical centres around the world. Some emerging topics of interest include (i) studying the causes of early onset colorectal cancer, (ii) understanding international differences in renal and pancreatic cancer, and (iii) investigating how air pollution is driving lung cancer risk.

Several postdoctoral opportunities are immediately available within GEM to contribute to the above topics. The successful candidate(s) will be supervised by Dr Paul Brennan (head of the Genomic Epidemiology branch) as well as other relevant GEM Scientists. They will conduct integrative analyses focusing on joint interpretation of omics data and epidemiological information together with a multidisciplinary team of international collaborators.  

Some relent project websites include DISCERN, MUTOGRAPHS, PROMINENT.

Desired selection criteria include:  

• Strong background in the analysis of Biological Data, Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, or Biostatistics. 
• Good communication skills, with the desire to work with a group of international collaborators.
• Strong English language skills, both spoken and written. 
• Willingness to learn new skills and techniques. 
• Desire to bring new ideas and be enthusiastic about cancer genomic and molecular epidemiology research. 
• Prior experience manipulating multi-omics, epidemiological data using statistical methods. 
• Strong background within statistical or scripting languages such as R or Python. 

These postdoctoral opportunities are initially for one year with the expectation of renewal. The IARC stipend is currently €2,950 per month (net of tax). The cost of travel for the postdoctoral scientist, and in certain circumstances for dependants, will be met. Dependence and health insurance allowances will be paid, if applicable. Lyon offers an exceptional quality of life, and IARC welcomes around 60 postdoctoral scientists at any one time.  

The postdoctoral scientist will have opportunities to interact and collaborate with colleagues from IARC and its worldwide networks. For more information about postdoctoral stays at IARC, please read the Postdoctoral charter.

Applicants should send a CV, including list of publications and a description of previous research experience, as well as a motivation letter and the names and addresses of two academic referees, by email to: alvesn@iarc.who.int (please, mention in the title of your email “Postdoctoral opportunity – IARC” and “To the attention of: Dr Paul Brennan”).