Research engineer in biostatistics

Inria is the French National Institute for Research in Digital Science, of which the Inria Côte d'Azur University Center is a part. With strong expertise in computer science and applied mathematics, the research projects of the Inria Côte d'Azur University Center cover all aspects of digital science and technology and generate innovation. Based mainly in Sophia Antipolis, but also in Nice and Montpellier, it brings together 47 research teams and nine support services. It is active in the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, IT system security, robotics, network engineering, natural risk prevention, ecological transition, digital biology, computational neuroscience, health data, and more. The Inria Center at Université Côte d'Azur is a major player in terms of scientific excellence, thanks to the results it has achieved and its collaborations at both European and international level.

This position is part of the CAMELIA project , funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) under a national call dedicated to methodological innovations in clinical research. The funding covers an 18-month full-time research engineer position .

The project is coordinated by Inria (Antenne de l’Université de Montpellier) and involves a consortium of academic and clinical research partners, including Inria teams (PreMeDiCaL and HeKA) and an Inserm team (IDESP). The environment combines expertise in statistics, causal inference, machine learning, and epidemiology.

Travel and mobility

The recruited engineer will be integrated into the PreMeDiCaL team at Inria Montpellier and will interact regularly with all project partners, including clinicians and biostatisticians. The post involves occasional travel for collaboration meetings between partners and participation to international conferences for dissemination of results. Travel expenses are covered by the contract.

Assignments

The CAMELIA project aims to develop and evaluate a novel causal framework for meta-analysis , addressing key limitations of conventional evidence synthesis methods in clinical research. The work focuses on leveraging aggregated clinical data to produce more interpretable and clinically relevant treatment effect estimates, particularly in immunology and allergology.

Responsibilities

The recruited person will be involved in the implementation and evaluation of these methodological developments. This includes data preprocessing and statistical analysis of multiple clinical datasets in immunology and allergology. They will also be responsible for the development and maintenance of a dedicated R package (CaMeA), including integration of new methodological components, documentation, and reproducible workflows.

Main activities

• Data processing of various clinical datasets
• Implementation and testing of new meta-analysis methods
• Development and maintenance of an R package
• Taking part in the writing of scientific reports and publications

Additional activities

• Present progress and results to project partners, regulatory stakeholders, and at scientific conferences
• Support dissemination of the developed tools and methods through reproducible materials

Technical skills

Strong expertise in R programming is required, as well as a solid background in statistics, biostatistics, or data science.

Languages

Fluent English is required, both written and spoken, for scientific communication, reporting, and publications.

Relational skills

The position requires the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment involving researchers, clinicians, and engineers. Clear communication of technical results to non-specialists is expected, along with autonomy, rigor, and the ability to collaborate in a large team.

Avantages

• Partial reimbursement of public transport costs
• Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.)
• Possibility of teleworking (after 6 months of employment) and flexible organization of working hours
• Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.)
• Social, cultural and sports events and activities
• Access to vocational training
• Social security coverage

From 2692 € gross monthly (according to degree and experience)

The position requires a genuine interest in clinical research and evidence-based medicine, along with curiosity for how methodological advances can impact real-world healthcare decisions. An appetite for working at the interface between theory and application is essential.