France EPIDEMIOLOGIST

EPICENTRE RECRUITS an EPIDEMIOLOGIST

Epicentre is a non-profit organization, created in 1987 by Médecins Sans Frontières, whose activities include research, field epidemiology and training, which groups health professionals specialised in public health and epidemiology. In 1996, Epicentre became a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Response to Emerging Diseases.

Under the supervision of Epicentre’s Director of Intervention Epidemiology, the epidemiologist: • participates in Epicentre’s activities and interventions related to field epidemiology and training, • assists Médecins Sans Frontières’ field teams in the monitoring of health programs, • is responsible for the development and management of research projects, most frequently conducted with Médecins Sans Frontières.

A detailed job profile is attached.  Candidate requirements 

• Medical Doctor (preferable), with a degree in epidemiology or public health. • At least 3-5 years tropical medicine experience and/or experience in applied epidemiology. • At least 3 years relevant working experience with MSF and/or another NGO experience. • Experience in conducting research projects with publication peer-reviewed journals would be an advantage. • Fluent in French and English. Knowledge in Spanish or Portuguese would be an advantage. • Good communication skills, both in speech and writing. • Willing to travel 3 to 4 months a year, sometimes at short notice.

Conditions This position is based in Paris and is expected to start in december 2011/january 2012. This is a permanent position (CDI). The salary will be commensurate with experience in line with the Epicentre salary scale.

Please send your CV and cover letter to Nathalie Guerineau job@epicentre.msf.org (Ref : EPI –Dpt EIF) no later than November 5, 2011

For additional information, please contact: Klaudia Porten (Klaudia.porten@epicentre.msf.org)

Job profile for the epidemiologist

Epidemiologists employed at Epicentre are involved in the following activities:

   1-   General activities as epidemiologist 

• Carry out in the field short-term (1 to 4 weeks) applied epidemiology missions. These missions include surveys, outbreak investigations, rapid health assessments during emergency situations, implementation and evaluation of epidemiological surveillance systems, evaluation of health programs • Write the mission reports in brief delays and publish the results in the scientific literature when relevant • Teach epidemiology and public health during training sessions organised either in France or abroad • Assist the Médecins Sans Frontières field teams in the monitoring of health programmes or other relevant epidemiological interventions • Participate in training sessions

2- Research activities

In the scope of one or several defined research domains, they will: • Identify relevant research issues, review the literature on the subject, and translate them into research questions • Establish and follow an annual research agenda in collaboration with Epicentre’s General Director, Director of Clinical Research and Director of Intervention Epidemiology and Training, and the medical and operational departments of the different MSF sections • Develop and write research protocols • Organise and conduct studies in the field • Clean, organise and analyse data sets • Write study reports • Communicate results through presentations at scientific conferences and in publication in the scientific literature • Participate in meetings of experts at international level • Develop and maintain a network of relevant partners

3-      Epicentre activities 

• Participate to the exchange of information and know-how within Epicentre: organisation of seminars, coaching of students, international communications. • Participate to the development of the organization, in collaboration with the General Director and the Director of Administration and Operational Support, and submit research proposals for eventual funding.