# C_2004319EN.01007501.xml

| 23.12.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 319/75 |
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23.12.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 319/75

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Call for expressions of interest in membership of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain (CONTAM Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority

(2004/C 319/16)

This call is addressed to scientists wishing to be considered for membership of a Scientific Panel of the European Food Safety Authority, established by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (1), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1642/2003 of 22 July 2003 (OJ L 245 of 29.9.2003). The Authority has its permanent seat in Parma, Italy.

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The Authority's Scientific Committee and scientific panels have been operational since May 2003. This call is particularly aimed to scientific experts with specific expertise in the areas mentioned below and to fill the vacancies of the Panel on contaminants in the food chain. The current list of experts can be found on http://www.efsa.eu.int/science_en.html.

The European Food Safety Authority

One of the main roles of the Authority is to provide scientific opinions in support of Community legislation and policies in all fields likely to have a direct or indirect impact on the safety of foodstuffs and animal feed, as well as closely related issues in the fields of health and welfare of animals and of plant health. It will provide independent information on these issues and give warning of emerging risks. Its tasks also include providing scientific opinions on nutrition, with particular reference to Community legislation, GMOs and new food technologies. By ensuring a high degree of independence, transparency and scientific quality, the Authority should rapidly establish itself as the accepted point of reference in the field. In addition to having its own specialised staff, the Authority will also manage networks of competent organisations within the EU to support its activities.

The role of the Authority's scientific panels

The scientific panels are responsible for providing the scientific opinions of the Authority, each within their own spheres of competence.

The competence of the Scientific Panel and the respective expertise sought through this Call will be as follows:

Panel on contaminants in the food chain (CONTAM Panel) deals with questions on contaminants in food and feed, associated areas and undesirable substances such as natural toxicants, mycotoxins and residues on non authorised substances not covered by another Panel.

Expertise required: general toxicology, veterinary toxicology, toxicokinetics (modelling and metabolism)

Composition of the scientific panels

The scientific panels are composed of a maximum of 21 independent scientific experts. The number and names of the scientific panels may be adapted in the light of technical and scientific development by the Commission, at the Authority's request, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 58(2) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 as amended.

Eligibility:

Applicants must have

| — | a university degree in a relevant scientific area, preferably at postgraduate level, |
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a university degree in a relevant scientific area, preferably at postgraduate level,

| — | at least 10 years' professional experience at a level to which these qualifications give admission. |
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at least 10 years' professional experience at a level to which these qualifications give admission.

Selection criteria

Preference will be given to applicants who possess:

| — | 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 Panel on contaminants in the food chain, |
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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 Panel on contaminants in the food chain,

| — | experience in peer reviewing scientific work and publications, preferably in fields related to the area covered by the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain, |
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experience in peer reviewing scientific work and publications, preferably in fields related to the area covered by the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain,

| — | 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, |
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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,

| — | proven scientific excellence in one, or preferably several fields linked to the area covered by the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain, |
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proven scientific excellence in one, or preferably several fields linked to the area covered by the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain,

| — | professional experience in a multidisciplinary environment, preferably in an international context, |
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professional experience in a multidisciplinary environment, preferably in an international context,

| — | managerial and communication skills. |
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managerial and communication skills.

An ability to use modern, electronic means of document exchange and communications would be an advantage, given the Authority's intention to make best use of these techniques.

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 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.

Selection process, appointment and term

Applications meeting the eligibility requirements will be submitted to a comparative evaluation carried out by the Authority on the basis of the selection criteria given above.

The Authority reserves the right to consult third parties on the professional experience of applicants in the context of their application for a Scientific Panel.

Members of the scientific panels will be appointed by the Management Board acting upon a proposal from the Executive Director. The current Scientific Committee and scientific panels have been in place since May 2003 and are to be renewed every three years.

Applicants can only be appointed to one of the scientific panels. Applicants may, with their prior consent, be assigned to a Scientific Panel even if it was not specifically applied for. Applicants meeting the requirement for membership but who are not appointed may be invited to be placed on a reserve list in case vacancies occur.

Equal opportunity

The Authority applies the European Union policy of equality between men and women.

Attending meetings

Members should be prepared to attend meetings of the Scientific Panel on a regular basis. It is estimated that the scientific panels meet on average four to six times per year. Panel members participating in working groups of the scientific panels may need to attend more meetings.

The members of the scientific panels are not remunerated but will be entitled to an indemnity of EUR 300 for each full day meeting. Members will also receive travel and subsistence allowances in accordance with the scales laid down by the Authority's rules of procedure.

Application procedure

The Authority encourages the use of its online web-based facility to submit application forms, however applications by post are acceptable.

Online application forms are available from the Authority's website www.efsa.eu.int and should be submitted through that site. Forms for paper application are equally available from the Authority's website www.efsa.eu.int, or by post from the following address.

| European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) |
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| Anja Van Impe (office 7/17) |
| Call for expression of interest — CONTAM Panel |
| Rue de Genève 10 |
| B-1140 Brussels, Belgium |

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

Anja Van Impe (office 7/17)

Call for expression of interest — CONTAM Panel

Rue de Genève 10

B-1140 Brussels, Belgium

The application forms should be submitted by registered post to that same address.

Supporting documents may be requested at a later stage.

While applicants may apply in any of the official languages of the European Community, it is highly desirable to submit an application in either English, French or German in order to facilitate the selection procedure.

All applications will be treated as confidential.

Closing date

Applications should be sent electronically online on www.efsa.eu.int, or by registered letter to the above address not later than 28 February 2005 (date of postmark).

The Authority reserves the right to disregard any expressions of interest received after that date.

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(1)  OJ L 31 of 1.2.2002, p. 1.

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