Genetic referent (M/F)

Full-time Civil servant on secondment or contract on permanent contract Position to be filled as soon as possible Position based in Saint-Denis (93)

The Agence de la biomédecine is a public administrative establishment under the supervision of the French Ministry of Health. The Agency manages, supervises, supports and evaluates activities in the fields of organ, tissue and cell procurement and transplantation, as well as in human reproduction, embryology and genetics, and embryo and human embryonic stem cell research. It fulfills both supervisory and expert missions, and operational missions, which for some of its departments require 24/7 operation (e.g. for graft allocation).

The Agency employs 253 people, most of whom work at its head office in Saint-Denis (93); some 50 people work in regional departments.

The Agence de la biomédecine is headed by a Director General, supported by two Deputy Directors General: a Deputy Director General in charge of medical and scientific policy, and a Deputy Director General in charge of resources.

The "diagnostics and genetics" department covers the fields of fetal medicine, prenatal diagnosis (PND), preimplantation diagnosis (PGD) and postnatal genetic diagnosis. The team is made up of practitioners from the field: a clinical geneticist and two genetic biologists, one of whom is in charge of the department. The department is part of the Human Reproduction, Embryology and Genetics Division (DPEGh), which reports to the Medical and Scientific Directorate (DGMS) of the Agence de la biomédecine. Recent years have seen major changes in practices, technologies and regulations in the field of pre- and post-natal genetics, and the outlook for future developments is very promising. The role of the Agence de la biomédecine is to support professionals to ensure that patients receive high-quality care, and in the context of these developments, its role in genetics will be strengthened in terms of foresight and support for technological and scientific developments. In this context, you will interact closely with professionals and patient associations through the working groups you will lead. You will work closely with the institutional players involved in diagnostics (representing the agency at the Ministry of Health, Inca, HAS, etc.), in particular within the framework of the national rare diseases plan and the France genomic medicine plan. These two plans, the next of which are currently being drawn up, will call on the expertise of the Agence de la biomédecine in scientific expertise, data analysis, support for professionals and communication with the general public.

Responsibilities of the Genetics Practitioner

In close partnership with the other practitioners in the "diagnostics and genetics" department and reporting to the department head, you will be responsible for :

Developing the Agence de la biomédecine's activities in genetics, PGD and PND:

• Proposing, developing and implementing strategic orientations concerning genetics in the light of scientific and technological developments.
• Organization of scientific prospective in terms of diagnosis.
• Relations with professionals and representatives of patient associations.
• Scientific watch.
• Monitoring and proposing changes to regulations, particularly in terms of best practices.

Support for the division's projects:

• Participation in the advisory process for :
• Applications for approval and authorization in the field of genetics, prenatal diagnosis and pre-implantation diagnosis.

Contribution to the "evaluation-biostatistics" department:

• Development of the data collection system needed to evaluate activities.
• Analysis of collected data and drafting of summaries.
• Scientific valorization of data.
• Involvement in other cross-functional activities related to the department's areas of expertise (legal, communication, healthcare provision, etc.).

Specific responsibilities of the genetic referent

In addition to his/her general responsibilities, the Genetic Referent will be in charge of :

• Leading, organizing and monitoring working groups, particularly around issues arising from the 2021 bioethics law.
• Produce deliverables (best practices, recommendations).
• Reflect on care pathways based on available data.
• Conduct analyses of scientific literature.
• Work on data valorization (support in drafting protocols and analysis designs, writing articles, etc.).
• Make presentations to authorities.
• Represent the Agency in various bodies**(national plan for rare diseases, France genomic medicine plan**, etc.).

Contribute to the team's other referent practitioners:

• Drafting of recommendations for good practice in genetics.
• Preparation of annual medical and scientific reports on activities and regional data sheets in the field of genetics and prenatal and pre-implantation diagnostics.
• Participation in congresses to ensure a sufficient level of knowledge to carry out missions and maintain a link with the field.

The genetic referent works in liaison with :

• Other divisions of the Medical and Scientific Department;
• Communications department
• Legal Department ;
• Inspectorate;
• Financial Affairs Department;
• Information Systems Department.

• Presence required to lead working groups;
• Occasional travel outside Paris.

We are looking for a medical geneticist, a pharmacist specialized in genetics, or a scientist with proven experience in the field of medical genetics. A postgraduate degree in genetics would be an asset. The candidate must have a good command of data collection systems and a sound knowledge of French medical genetics practices. A good level of English is required, as well as a good level of French to enable the writing of reports, notes and articles, and to ensure their effective communication. The position requires organizational skills, adaptability and a taste for leading work groups and human contact. The ability to work as part of a team is essential.