The Mediterranean Infection Institute in Marseille, headed by the controversial Pr Didier Raoult, has launched a call for applications for the latter's succession, looking for a profile "
with a flawless reputation
", according to a document sent by the IHU to the AFP Tuesday, January 18.
The new director general of this university hospital institute, specializing in infectious diseases, will have to take office “
between September 30 and December 31, 2022
”, specifies the IHU in its call for applications written in English.
Read also Should we be worried about the “French variant” highlighted by Didier Raoult’s IHU?
The ideal candidate should be “
an eminent researcher with spectacular success in the field of infectious diseases in general, and in particular in epidemiology, medicine, immunology, microbiology and/or virology
”.
The IHU also asks candidates to have "
an impeccable reputation for relational and administrative skills
" and extensive experience in "
leading a large and complex organization such as a research institute or department
".
“turning a page”
While the IHU team, 800 people in all, has been shaken by recent scandals, the new director must "
be able to unite the teams around a common project
". In its call for applications, the IHU Méditerranée Infection defines itself as an establishment "
for biomedical research and clinical care of international class
". The IHU specializes “
in the development of innovative conceptual and technical strategies to combat infectious diseases
”.
At the end of November, the board of directors of this institute based in France's second largest city had unanimously appointed Louis Schweitzer, chairman of the research committee, to head a "
selection commission
" for a new director for replace Didier Raoult. As early as the summer of 2021, the director general of the public assistance hospitals of Marseille (AP-HM) François Crémieux had expressed his desire to "
turn a page
" after the controversies generated by the positions of Professor Raoult on the management of the Covid-19 epidemic. The Disciplinary Chamber of the Order of Physicians of New Aquitaine had inflicted a reprimand on Didier Raoult at the beginning of December for having communicated "
information which was not based on any confirmed data
by promoting hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19.
Read alsoBlame imposed on Didier Raoult: the College of Physicians appeals and requests the aggravation of the sanction
The IHU is the subject of numerous investigations and its director has been the subject of several complaints.
Didier Raoult, retired since August 31 as a university professor-hospital practitioner, must therefore remain at the head of this institute which he created in 2011 for a few more months. Candidates have until May 31 to contact Louis Schweitzer.
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