# C_2010151EN.01000201.xml

| 10.6.2010 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 151/2 |
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10.6.2010

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 151/2

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Call for expressions of interest for membership of the Scientific Panels of the European Food Safety Authority (Parma, Italy)

2010/C 151/02

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the keystone of European Union (EU) risk assessment regarding food and feed safety. In close collaboration with national authorities and in open consultation with its stakeholders, EFSA provides independent scientific advice and clear communication on existing and emerging risks.

The Authority has set up a selection procedure that aims to draw up a reserve list of:

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF TWO SCIENTIFIC PANELS

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF TWO SCIENTIFIC PANELS

‘Panel on food additives and nutrient sources added to food’ (ANS) and ‘Panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids’ (CEF)

‘Panel on food additives and nutrient sources added to food’ (ANS) and ‘Panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids’ (CEF)

Ref.: EFSA/E/2010/001

Ref.: EFSA/E/2010/001

This call is addressed to scientists wishing to be considered for membership of either the Scientific Panel on food additives and nutrient sources added to food or the Scientific Panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids of the European Food Safety Authority in order to identify Europe’s best scientists for this task.

THE EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY

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 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://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2002R0178:20090807:EN:PDF

The role of EFSA’s Scientific Panels and Scientific Committee

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.

EFSA will, in accordance with its financial rules, bear the travel costs, daily and accommodation allowance of the experts. Special indemnity of EUR 300 will be paid for each full day of meeting attendance.

Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to food (ANS)

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 20.1.2009), and |
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food additives (new applications for authorisation as well as re-evaluation of all food additives, which were permitted before 20.1.2009), and

| — | nutrient sources added to food (e.g. sources of vitamins and minerals) and other substances added for nutritional purposes to food, |
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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. |
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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. The Panel carries out risk assessments in order to produce scientific opinions and advice for risk managers. 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.

Required expertise: Safety assessment of chemical substances and/or botanicals, Safety assessment of food additives, Safety assessment of nutrient sources, Chemistry: organic, analytical, synthetic inorganic (especially for chemical identification and specifications of chemical substances), Exposure assessment and quantitative risk assessment, Human nutrition, dietary approaches, reference intakes, Toxicology (preferably applied to risk assessment of chemicals), Mechanisms of action, toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, Pathology and physiology, Carcinogenicity, Genotoxicity and mutagenicity, Allergenicity and Immunotoxicity, Developmental and reproduction toxicity, Food technology (manufacturing processes and use of food additives and/or processing aids), Conduct of toxicological testing on laboratory animals, Alternative toxicological testing.

Required expertise

Panel on Food Contact Materials, Flavourings, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEF)

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, |
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materials in contact with food,

| — | food enzymes, |
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food enzymes,

| — | flavourings, |
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flavourings,

| — | processing aids, |
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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.

Required expertise: Risk assessment within the area of the Panel as described above comprising one or more of the following topics: toxicology (preferably applied to risk assessment of chemicals), mechanisms of action, toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, pathology and physiology, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity, Allergenicity and Immunotoxicity, Developmental and reproduction toxicity, Alternative toxicological testing, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food consumption and exposure assessment, Food technology and Microbiology within the area of the Panel as described above.

Required expertise

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/home/doc/selectionofexperts_decision_signed.pdf

For more information on Scientific Panels:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_ScientificPanels.htm

For more information on the establishment and operations of Scientific Panels and 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

Selection procedure

Candidates are asked in the application form to make a choice between the two 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

The requirements

Qualifications and experience

Qualifications and experience

A.   Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria

| (i) | a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma in one of the following fields: Toxicology, Chemistry, Biochemistry Microbiology, Nutrition, Food technology, Pharmacy or Biology, or related areas; |
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(i)

a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma in one of the following fields: Toxicology, Chemistry, Biochemistry Microbiology, Nutrition, Food technology, Pharmacy or Biology, 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) gained after obtaining the requested diploma; |
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(ii)

in addition to the above, at least ten (10) years of professional experience relevant to the remit of the Panel(s) gained after obtaining the requested diploma;

| (iii) | excellent knowledge of the English language; |
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(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 failure to fill in this part of the form in a complete manner will result in the rejection of the application; |
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(iv)

candidates must complete the Declaration of Interests included in the application in an extensive, accurate and complete manner. Please note that 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. |
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(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

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 Panel preferred, |
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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 Committee or the Scientific Panel preferred,

| — | proven scientific excellence in one, or preferably several fields linked to the area covered by the Scientific Committee or the Scientific Panel preferred, |
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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, preferably in fields related to the area covered by the Scientific Committee or the Scientific Panel preferred, |
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experience in peer reviewing scientific work and publications, preferably 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, |
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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,

| — | 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,

| — | experience in project management related to scientific matters, |
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experience in project management related to scientific matters,

| — | proven communication skills, based on teaching experience, public presentations, active participation in meetings, publications. |
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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. Members of the Scientific Panels will be appointed by the Management Board acting upon a proposal from the Executive Director.

Applicants meeting the requirement for membership but who are not appointed may 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.

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_locale-1178620753812_1178712806106.htm

Independence and declarations of commitment and interest

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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Procedure for identifying and handling potential conflicts of interest:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/keydocs/docs/doiconflicts.pdf

Equal opportunities

Equal opportunities

EFSA takes great care to apply the principles of equal treatment in its procedures.

Submission of applications

Submission of applications

Candidates are requested to submit their application together with Declaration of Interests electronically through the EFSA’s website: http://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.

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) No 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 (1). The purpose of processing of the personal data candidates submit is to manage applications in view of a possible pre-selection and selection at EFSA.

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Closing date for sending applications

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.

15 September 2010 at midnight

Please note that, due to the 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:

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.

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.

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(1)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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