3-year contract

This will be a senior position at the recently created Center for Excellence in Respiratory Pathogens (CERP) based in Lyon, France. The CERP develops evidence generating research to support decision making related to respiratory pathogens within the Civil Hospitals and the University Claude Bernard in Lyon. The CERP’s missions are: i) to create excellence in multi-disciplinary research combining virology, epidemiology, analytics, biocomputing and modeling; ii) to ensure a continuum from data collection (surveillance & capacity building) to data use for policy making (analytic, modeling, and external engagement); iii) to be a convener for major international stakeholders working on this thematic and to develop public-private instruments to ensure synergies. The CERP is part of the Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI: https://ciri.ens-lyon.fr/), which is a joint research unit of the University Claude Bernard, Inserm, CNRS and the École Normale Supérieure in Lyon, in partnership with VetAgro Sup, Institut Pasteur and the Civil Hospitals in Lyon.
This position will be key to develop the CERP’s activities around analysis of big data sets, including providing advance analytics leadership to support projects on the epidemiology of respiratory diseases integrating clinical and laboratory data. It will be expected of this scientist to contribute to the establishment of the vision of the CERP by applying his/her scientific and technical skills to support the implementation of the CERP’s strategy. By identifying gaps and challenges in key areas this person should propose innovative solutions to address them. This scientist will provide a unique level of expertise and provide guidance to the development of different projects.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a data scientist to join a new motivated and experienced research team in an international working environment to address key challenges in health surrounding respiratory diseases. This scientist will work collaboratively to create high-quality innovative analytical products and will benefit from a wealth of large databases, study platforms and from external partnerships with other academic, governmental and industry partners.
Ideally, the candidate must combine strong epidemiological expertise and analytical skills, and good understanding of infectious disease epidemiology and provide technical guidance through all data science initiatives.
Description of duties
• Lead a data driven scientific research portfolio, including project conceptualization and innovative designs.
• Lead analysis of epidemiological and healthcare data, including clinical trial datasets and electronic health records, using established and novel statistical and analytical techniques.
• Propose and create solutions by identifying novel approaches to address analytical and data gaps.
• Lead and contribute to the write-up of manuscripts for publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, of abstracts and presentations for international conferences, as well as of technical and study reports.
• Co-supervise masters and PhD students.
• Share expertise proactively by communicate complex concepts and interpretation of analysis and findings to different audiences, including students, clinicians, policymakers, and health economists.
• Provide internal support to colleagues in other research areas.
• Work collaboratively across the different CERP areas and with external collaborators and stakeholders.
• Actively manage project activity and timelines.
• Represent the CERP at external meetings.
Required education and work experience
• PhD in a quantitative subject (e.g. computer science, data science, statistics, mathematics, biostatistics, biomedical engineering, epidemiology) or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in academia, public health, biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry.
• Advanced experience in R and other programming languages (e.g. Python, SQL, advanced Microsoft Excel using Visual Basic for Application, SAS).
• Advanced experience in preparing, analyzing, and managing large healthcare datasets from observational non-interventional and/or interventional studies.
• Experience in interpreting and presenting complex analyses and findings.
Desirable education and work experience
• Experience in applying machine learning techniques.
• Experience in statistical methods to investigate real-world problems (e.g. data modelling, predictive analytics and time to event analysis).
• Academic experience, with rigorous scientific standards.
Skills
• Fluent in spoken and written English. Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Systematic approach to problem solving, including identification of root causes and solutions.
• Integrity.
• Scientific excellence.
• High level of self-awareness.
• Ability to cooperate cross-functionally.
• Able to identify multidisciplinary solutions and recommend a course of action to support multiple functions on decision making.
• Good foresight and judgement, and able to work independently.
• Enthusiastic and professional approach to working with colleagues, and external collaborators.