EFSA Vacancy: Call for expressions of interest for placement on the reserve list of the Scientific Panels and the Scientific Committee of EFSA - Montesquieu Institute

    SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE  MEMBERSHIP OF EFSA SCIENTIFIC PANELS and SCIENTIFIC  COMMITTEE     with proven expertise and scientific excellence in carrying out scientific  risk assessment and/or provision of scientific advice in the area of food and  feed safety        Ref.: EFSA/E/2010/002      This call is addressed to scientists with a scientific background in areas such as Human  Toxicology, Ecotoxicology, Veterinary Toxicology, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry,  Biochemistry, Food technology, Pharmacology, Veterinary Medicine, Human Medicine,  Animal Nutrition, Pharmacy, Biology, Life Science, Agronomy/Agricultural Science, Food  microbiology, Epidemiology, Occupational Medicine/Toxicology, Public Health and/or in  areas related to Public Health.    The European Food Safety Authority    EFSA is the cornerstone of the EU system of risk assessment for food and feed safety; its  scientific advice on existing and emerging risks underpins the policies and decisions of risk  managers in the European Institutions and EU Member States. The Authority's most critical  1/8 

commitment is to provide transparent and independent scientific advice and clear  communication grounded in the most up-to-date scientific methodologies and data available.     EFSA brings together Europe's best available experts in risk assessment in the field of food  and feed safety, who act in an independent capacity for an autonomous, self-governed  organisation to provide the European Institutions and the Member States with scientific  advice of the highest standard.    The Authority is committed to the core standards of scientific excellence, openness,  transparency, independence and responsiveness. By working independently, openly and  transparently EFSA delivers the best possible scientific advice and therefore contributes to  strengthening the European food and feed safety system.    For more information regarding EFSA, please refer to its Founding Regulation:  http://eur lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2002R0178:20090807:EN:PDF   The role of EFSA's Scientific Panels and Scientific Committee   The Scientific Panels are responsible for providing the scientific opinions of the Authority  and other advice as appropriate, each within their own spheres of competence. The Scientific  Panels are composed of normally 21 independent scientific experts. Members of the  Scientific Committee and Panels are appointed for a three-year term of office that may be  renewed twice and are expected to attend and contribute actively to all meetings of the Panel  where opinions, statements or guidance documents are adopted. It is estimated that the  Scientific Committee and the Scientific Panels meet depending on the workload between six  and ten times per year in two-day meetings usually in Parma, Italy.  Panel members are also  expected to participate, as appropriate, in working groups. Meetings and most documents are  in English. Applicants should take into account that meetings in general involve preparatory  work.    The Chairs of each Scientific Panel are also members of the Scientific Committee of EFSA  together with 6 other Scientific Experts.    EFSA will, in accordance with its financial rules, bear the travel costs, daily and  accommodation allowance of the experts.  Special indemnity of 300 will be paid for each  full day of meeting attendance.      The Scientific Panels and Scientific Committee carry out risk assessments in order to  produce scientific opinions and advice for risk managers. This helps to provide a sound  foundation for European policies and legislation and supports risk managers in taking  decisions.    Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)  The AHAW Panel provides independent scientific advice on all aspects of animal diseases  and animal welfare. Its work chiefly concerns food producing animals, including fish.   Visit the AHAW key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to food (ANS)  The ANS Panel deals with questions related to the safety in the use of:  ·   food additives (new applications for authorisation as well as re-evaluation of all food  additives, which were permitted before 20.01.2009), and   2/8 

·   nutrient sources added to food (e.g. sources of vitamins and minerals) and other  substances added for nutritional purposes to food,  ·   other deliberately added substances, including substances added for purposes other  than technological ones, e.g. with functional properties, but excluding flavourings  and enzymes   Most of the Panel's work is carried out in the context of authorisation procedures. In  addition, the Panel develops scientific guidance to the industry for preparing new  applications.    Visit the ANS key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ)  The Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) provides independent scientific advice on  biological hazards in relation to food safety and food-borne diseases. This covers:  ·   food-borne zoonoses (animal diseases transmissible to humans)   ·   transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (BSE/TSEs)   ·   food microbiology   ·   food hygiene and associated waste management issues   The panel is the EFSA's key driver on work on BSE and TSE.  Visit the BIOHAZ key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Panel on Food Contact Materials, Flavourings, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEF)  The Panel on Food Contact Materials, Flavourings, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEF)  provides independent advice and delivers opinions on scientific questions relating to the  safety in use of   ·   materials in contact with food  ·   food enzymes  ·   flavourings   ·   processing aids   and with questions related to the safety of food processes.  The Panel evaluates chemicals and processes for the purpose of authorisations. The Panel  also provides urgent scientific advice in case of substances found in food and related to its  remit.  Visit the CEF key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Panel on Contaminants in the food chain (CONTAM)  The CONTAM Panel provides independent scientific advice on contaminants in the food  chain and undesirable substances such as natural toxicants, mycotoxins and residues of  unauthorised substances not covered by another Panel.   Visit the CONTAM key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Panel on Feed Additives and products or substances used in animal feed (FEEDAP)  The FEEDAP Panel provides independent scientific advice on the safety and/or efficacy of  additives and products or substances used in animal feed. The Panel evaluates their safety  and/or efficacy for the target species, the user, the consumer of products of animal origin and  the environment. It also looks at the efficacy of biological and chemical products/substances  intended for deliberate use in animal feed.   The Panel performs much of its work in relation to substances which must be evaluated by  EFSA before they can be authorised for use in the EU.   Visit the FEEDAP key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    3/8 

Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)  The GMO Panel provides independent scientific advice on the safety of:   genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as plants, animals and micro-organisms;  genetically modified food and feed.   The Panel carries out much of its work in the context of assessing applications, since all GM  food and feed products must be evaluated by EFSA before they can be authorised in the EU.   Visit the GMO key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Panel on Dietetic products, nutrition and allergies (NDA)  The NDA Panel deals with questions related to dietetic products (foods intended to satisfy  particular nutritional requirements of specific population groups), human nutrition and food  allergies. It also advises on associated subjects such as novel foods (foods or ingredients  which have not been consumed in the EU to a significant degree before 15 May 1997).   The Panel's work is based on reviewing scientific information and data in order to evaluate  risks, for instance in relation to food allergies and novel foods, and to provide scientific  advice concerning human nutrition and the nutritional value of foods, food ingredients and  products. The Panel's activities also include assessing whether any claims about the health  benefits or nutritional value of foods are scientifically reliable and justified and work on  Population Reference Intakes. For more information on EFSA's role with regard to Nutrition  and Health Claims, see Nutrition and Health Claims in Focus and/or visit the NDA key  topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Panel on Plant Health (PLH)  The PLH Panel provides independent scientific advice on the risk posed by plant pests which  can cause harm to plants, plant products or biodiversity in the EU. The Panel reviews and  assesses those risks with regard to the safety and security of the food chain.   Visit the PLH key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Plant Protection Products and their residues (PPR)  The Panel on plant protection products and their residues (PPR Panel) provides independent  scientific advice on the risk assessment of plant protection products (commonly known as  pesticides) and their residues, looking at risks for the user/worker, the consumer and the  environment.   The Panel works closely with the Pesticide Risk Assessment Peer Review (PRAPeR) which  is responsible for the EU- peer review of active substances used in new or existing plant  protection products. The PPR Panel is asked for its opinion on any issues that cannot be  resolved within this procedure or when further scientific guidance is needed, mostly in the  field of toxicology, ecotoxicology, fate and behaviour of pesticides and residues. Another  activity is to update the existing European Guidance Documents in risk assessment of plant  protection products and to develop ones in new scientific areas.   Visit the Pesticides "In Focus" section for more information on EFSA's work with regard to  pesticides. Visit the PPR key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.    Scientific Committee (SC)  The Scientific Committee is composed of the Chairs of each Scientific Panel and six (6)  other scientific experts.  EFSA's Scientific Committee has the task of supporting the work of EFSA on scientific  matters of a horizontal nature and providing strategic advice to EFSA's Executive Director.  It is also responsible for general co-ordination to ensure consistency in the scientific  opinions prepared by the Scientific Panels. The Scientific Committee focuses on developing  4/8 

harmonised risk assessment methodologies in fields where EU-wide approaches are not  already defined.  Visit the SC key topics section on the EFSA website for more details.      For more information regarding the selection of Members of the Scientific Committee and  Panels please refer to the "Decision of the Executive Director concerning the selection of  members of the Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and external experts"  http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/keydocs/docs/expertselection.pdf     For more information on Scientific Panels:  www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_ScientificPanels.htm     For more information on the establishment and operations of Scientific Panels ant their  Working Groups, please refer to the "Decision of the Management Board concerning the  establishment and operations of the Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and of their  Working Groups.  http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/keydocs/docs/paneloperation.pdf       Selection Procedure    Candidates are asked in the application form to make a choice between the Scientific Panels  in order of preference, if they intend to apply for membership of the ANS and CEF Panels  and/or to be included in the general reserve list of the scientific panels and Scientific  Committee.      The requirements    Qualifications and experience    A. Eligibility criteria    i.   A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at  least four (4) years attested by a diploma in the following fields: Toxicology,  Ecotoxicology, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food  technology, Pharmacology, Veterinary Medicine, Human Medicine, Animal  Nutrition, Pharmacy, Biology, Life Science, Agronomy/Agricultural Science,  Food microbiology, Epidemiology, Occupational Medicine/toxicology, Public  Health and/or in areas related to Public Health, or related areas;  ii.   In addition to the above, at least ten (10) years of professional experience  relevant to the remit of the Panel(s) chosen  gained after obtaining the requested  diploma;  iii.   Excellent knowledge of the English language;   iv.   Candidates must complete the Declaration of Interests included in the  application in an extensive, accurate and complete manner. Please note that  5/8 

failure to fill in this part of the form in a complete manner will result in the  rejection of the application;   v.   Candidates must be nationals of a Member State of the European Union,  European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries or Union Candidate  countries. Experts from third countries may also apply but will be considered  only when the required level of expertise cannot be found among nationals of  the countries indicated in the previous sentence.    B. Selection criteria    ·   Experience in carrying out scientific risk assessment and/or providing scientific  advice in fields related to food and feed safety in general and, in particular in  the areas of competence and expertise of the Scientific Committee or the  Scientific Panels preferred.  ·   Proven scientific excellence in one, or preferably several fields linked to the  area covered by the Scientific Committee or the Scientific Panel preferred.    ·   Experience in peer reviewing scientific work and publications, in fields related  to the area covered by the Scientific Committee or the Scientific Panel  preferred.    ·   The ability to analyse complex information and dossiers, often from a wide  range of scientific disciplines and sources and to prepare draft scientific  opinions and reports.  ·   Professional experience in a multidisciplinary environment, preferably in an  international context.  ·   Experience in project management related to scientific matters.   ·   Proven communication skills, based on teaching experience, public  presentations, active participation in meetings, publications.      Applications meeting the eligibility requirements will be admitted to a comparative  evaluation carried out by EFSA on the basis of the selection criteria given above. EFSA  reserves the right to consult third parties on the professional experience of applicants in the  context of their application.     Applicants meeting the requirement for membership will be included in the reserve list.  Applicants may, with their prior consent, be assigned to a Scientific Panel even if they did  not specifically apply for that Panel. They may be also invited to contribute to the activities  of a Scientific Panel as external experts of a Scientific Committee's or Panel's Working  Group.    When a specific need is identified, members of the Scientific Panels may be replaced or,  according to the circumstances, their number may be increased. Replacement or new  members will be selected from the reserve list and proposed by the Executive Director to the  Management Board, following consultation with the Chair of the Panel.     6/8 

All eligible candidates will be invited to join EFSA's expert database.    For more information regarding EFSA's expert database:   http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/AboutEfsa/WhoWeAre/efsa_locale1178620753812_1178712806106.htm       Independence and declarations of commitment and interest    The members of the Scientific Panels are appointed on a personal basis. Applicants are  required to include a declaration that, when considered for membership, they will undertake  to act independently of any outside influence and a declaration of interests which may be  deemed to be prejudicial to their independence (see eligibility criterion iv). Applicants are  responsible for the content of the declaration submitted which will be assessed by EFSA  according to the Policy on Declarations of Interests.      For more information regarding Declarations of Interests:     EFSA policy on declarations of interests   http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/keydocs/docs/doipolicy.pdf     Guidance document on declarations of interest   http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/keydocs/docs/doiguidance.pdf     Procedure for identifying and handling potential conflicts of interest  http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/keydocs/docs/doiconflicts.pdf#         Equal opportunities  EFSA takes great care to apply the principles of equal treatment in its procedures.      Submission of applications    Candidates are requested to submit their application together with Declaration of Interests  electronically through the EFSA's website:  www.efsa.europa.eu      Applications delivered via email will not be accepted.   Candidates are kindly invited to fill in their application form in English in order to facilitate  the selection procedure. Please also note that an excellent knowledge of the English language  is an eligibility criterion.    All candidates applying to this call for expressions of interest will be informed by mail about  the outcome of the selection process.     The personal information EFSA requests from candidates will be processed in line with  Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December  2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the  Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data.  The purpose of  7/8 

processing of the personal data candidates submit is to manage applications in view of a  possible pre-selection and selection at EFSA.      Closing date for sending applications    Applications must be submitted no later than 15 September 2010 at midnight (Local time,  GMT +1). For those sent by registered mail, the postmark date will serve as a proof.     Please note that, due to the extremely large number of applications we receive, when  reaching the deadline for submission of applications, the system may have problems to  process the large amounts of data. We therefore advise the applicants to send in their  application well ahead of the closing date.        Note:  In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any of the  other linguistic versions of this publication, the English language version shall prevail.  8/8 

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