Technical Lead

Health systems research – Prostate Cancer early detection
35h a week.

Cancer control is receiving increased priority globally as governments recognize and respond to the non-communicable disease (NCD) agenda, led by the World Health Organization (WHO). As an agency of WHO, the Early Detection, Prevention and Infection (EPR) Branch at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has a pivotal role to support cancer prevention and early detection. This involves monitoring and evaluating existing cancer early detection and prevention programs with the goal to build on its own research activities in the areas of prevention, screening and early diagnosis research to provide the evidence-base for effective country level actions in the context of national cancer control planning and implementation.

Two opportunities are available to contribute to the PRAISE-U project - PRostate cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union” – newly funded by the European Commission. PRAISE-U is a multi-national-led consortium with the vision that EU member states should be able to offer high quality clinical standards including state-of-the-art individualised approaches to achieve timely Prostate cancer (PCa) detection in men who can benefit from early treatment. In that perspective, we will get insights and assess needs in EU member states in order to design a diagnostic strategy and algorithm for EU PCa that is cost-effective and be able to raise awareness of PCa and its implications. This will be further piloted in various EU regions taking into account the heterogeneity of Europe, monitored as well as evaluated.

The selected candidate will contribute to the coordination and implementation of the PRAISE-U project.

Key activities include participating in the following:

1. Alongside the supervisors, to coordinate the PRAISE-U project with a particular focus on needs and capacity assessment for implementation and improvement of population-based prostate cancer screening programmes according to the relevant EU guidelines and quality standards. This involves:

• engaging and exchanging information and project updates with stakeholders of different cultures and backgrounds (from Ministries of health representatives to health services providers)
• mapping of opportunities, barriers, capacity, services and data flow related to prostate cancer screening continuum;
• evaluating the performance of existing prostate cancer screening programmes and performing related situational analysis;
• developing protocols and tools for pilot implementation of prostate cancer screening programme
• drafting reports and documents, synthesizing the content provided by the different stakeholders and local partners
• liaising and collaborating on a regular basis with the Strategic Engagement & Resources Mobilization Officer at IARC and the IARC Communications team, to ensure that deliverables are adapted in content for both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

2. Contribute to the development and implementation of existing/new projects related to cancer prevention and early detection.

The successful candidate would ideally have:

• Ph.D with a focus on Public Health or another closely related field. An MD with research experience will also be considered.
• At least two years of experience in conducting research and/or implementation projects in the field of public health
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of cancer control (notably early detection and prevention).
• Excellent knowledge of functioning of cancer screening programmes
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners across multiple geographies and cultures (e.g. WHO offices, research partners, funding bodies).
• Ability to analyse results of research conducted, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening cancer screening programmes
• Ability to draft evaluation reports on programs and activities.
• Familiarity with the preparation of grant reporting
• Ability to draft or participate in the drafting of scientific manuscripts.
• Expert knowledge of English is essential (read, written and spoken).

Experience in the following areas would be an asset:

1. Projects related to cancer prevention and early detection in Europe
2. Implementation and monitoring of projects involving cancer control programmes in Europe
3. Evaluation of health systems in Europe

This opportunity is for three years. The candidate will be employed by the St. European Urological Foundation and will be based at IARC in Lyon, France. The expected net salary provided is within a range of 3000 – 3450 EUR net, for the position is currently with additional benefits like (health) insurance, pension arrangements etc. The scientist will be in an innovative and scientifically stimulating environment and will have opportunities to interact and collaborate with colleagues from EAU, IARC and its worldwide networks.

Interested candidates are invited to contact Mrs. S. Collen, via s.collen@uroweb.org for informal enquiries.

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: hrm@uroweb.org to the attention of: Sarah Collen. Please mention in the title of your email “Technical Lead (Cancer Prevention and Early Detection) –PRAISE-U”.

Closing date: 29 February 2024