Senior Scientific Officer – Toxicology
EFSA/X/AD/2022/13
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is looking for a
Senior Scientific Officer – Toxicology
(Temporary Agent, Grade AD8)
The purpose of this call is to establish a talent pool (reserve list) that may be used for the recruitment of staff when a position becomes available and will be valid until 31/12/2024. The validity of the talent pool may be extended.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?
Are you an enthusiastic scientist with extensive experience in the field of toxicology? Do you have experience in developing relationships with scientific stakeholders in and determination to implement policies and processes in international scientifically driven organisations such as EFSA?
We are looking for seasoned and motivated scientists with a background in toxicology and a good knowledge of the trends and development in chemical risk assessment who will contribute to the implementation of EFSA’s mission and objectives.
If you are looking for an interesting and challenging opportunity in a leading organisation, then do not hesitate and send us your application today!
Your key responsibilities
• To provide advice on targets, priorities, and ways to integrate new methods, approaches and tools in EFSA’s risk assessments, considering trends and developments in regulatory risk assessment science in and outside the EU.
• Manage the drafting and review of scientific outputs in the area of evidence-based risk assessment of food-borne chemical and microbiological hazards and nutrients.
• Ensure the correct implementation of data collection, analysis and evaluation processes aimed at preparing the scientific assessments.
• Ensure coordination with European, national and international stakeholders of EFSA, in particular related to the assessment of toxicological aspects of food-borne chemical hazards and nutrients.
• Leverage connections for developing and cultivating EFSA’s networks with research institutions and the scientific community on European and international level in the area of toxicology and chemical risk assessment.
• Manage the administrative and scientific support to activities of the Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and their Working Groups (i.e. preparation of working documents, scientific opinions, etc.).
• Develop guidance documents on the use of methodologies, approaches and tools for toxicological risk assessment of food-borne chemical hazards and nutrients.
• Coordinate and manage outsourced contracts to support EFSA’s scientific activities.
• Keep abreast of scientific and regulatory developments in areas within EFSA’s remit and provide advice and information on legislative, policy and scientific aspects in the field of toxicology and chemical risk assessment.
• Represent EFSA internationally at scientific events to present its work in the area of cross-cutting methodologies in the area of risk assessment.
WHY EFSA?
You will play an active role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of 445 million EU citizens.
EFSA employs over 550 staff members, and its Scientific Committee and Panels engage highly qualified and independent scientific experts. Every position within EFSA plays an important part in creating an inspirational environment in which to work and develop.
EFSA’s standards and values are driven by ethics and integrity and all staff is expected to act in a manner consistent with its principles, including fairness, transparency and impartiality in work practices and conduct towards other people.
As an EFSA staff member, you will have the chance to make a difference to European food safety working in an international and dynamic environment. You will also be able to participate in several valuable networking opportunities across Europe.
Furthermore, you will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the Transparency Regulation: EFSA expanded its mandate and will grow considerably over the next few years.
To find out more about EFSA, visit us at www.efsa.europa.eu.
WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?
Life in Parma
Parma is a lively city of around 200.000 inhabitants located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna and ranked as one of the most liveable cities in Italy. Its centre is rich in art, with architecture from different periods and plenty of parks. Parma is famous for its food, surrounding picturesque countryside and medieval castles. It is strategically located between major cities like Milano and Bologna and within reachable distance from ski resorts, seaside and mountains.
Salary and benefits
The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent Grade AD8 with the basic salary starting from € 7.431 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in Article 65(1) of the Staff Regulations.
In addition to the basic salary, EFSA offers a range of benefits:
- Various allowances to which the successful jobholder may be entitled, such as a household allowance, expatriation allowance (16% of basic salary), dependent child allowance and education allowance. The salary is subject to a Community tax deducted at source and staff members are exempt from national taxation.
- Wide range of leaves (e.g. annual leave, parental leave, public holidays) and flexible working hours. Besides working in EFSA’s modern headquarter located in the heart of Parma, staff members are also offered the possibility to telework.
- A comprehensive welfare package including pension scheme, medical, accident and occupational disease insurance coverage, unemployment and invalidity allowance, and travel insurance. Further information regarding rights, conditions of employment and benefits can be found at the following links:
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS?
You must satisfy the following requirements on the closing date for submission of your application:
I. Eligibility criteria
1. General requirements
• Be national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway;
• Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service;
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post;[1]
• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language;
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved.
2. Qualifications
a) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma[2];
OR
b) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma[2], and in addition at least one (1) year of professional experience.
3. Experience
In addition to the above, at least nine (9) years of proven professional experience[3] acquired after having obtained the qualifications mentioned in point 2.
In case you do not fulfil all the eligibility criteria, your application will not be taken into consideration.
II. Selection criteria
The following competencies will be assessed throughout the different phases of the selection procedure. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate effective communication in both spoken and written English as well as strong motivation for the position.
1. Technical competencies
i. At least 9 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
• General toxicology
• Mammalian toxicology
• Environmental Fate
• Environmental Toxicology
• Molecular toxicology
• Toxicological pathology
• Genetic toxicology
• Reproductive and developmental toxicity
• Carcinogenicity
• In vitro toxicology
• Computational (in silico) toxicology and modelling
• Toxicokinetics or ADME
• Toxicodynamics
• Regulatory toxicology
• Safety assessment of nanoparticles
• Exposure assessment
• Chemical risk assessment
• Toxicological assessment of proteins
ii. Experience in performing chemical risk assessments, integrating and weighing the evidence to draw conclusions with their related assumptions and uncertainties;
iii. Experience in managing scientific projects, e.g. ensure on-time delivery of project outputs, plan and manage time and resources (human and financial) as well as the milestones and activities and the work of the project team members;
iv. Experience in managing and coordinating networks, multidisciplinary working groups, outsourced contracts and/or task forces and experience supporting or leading the harmonisation of scientific assessment methodologies;
v. Experience in conveying technical scientific concepts and making them understandable to different target audiences;
vi. Experience in drafting clear, concise and structured scientific reports, publications, opinions and guidance documents using appropriate scientific terminology.
2. Behavioural competencies
i. Deal with ambiguity: Able to work constructively within unexpected and unpredictable situations and show resilience and composure, even in difficult or adverse circumstances; able to decide and act without having the total picture; accept constructive feedback in a positive manner;
ii. Demonstrate political savvy and strategic agility: Look beyond the current situation and visualise what the future can bring with a keen sense for arising opportunities and good understanding of how and when to best pursue them; able to think in a creative and innovative way;
iii. Focus on stakeholder needs: Committed to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and gain their trust and respect;
iv. Plan and measure for results: Set ambitious goals that exceed the targets and create plans to achieve them; ensure an efficient and responsible planning and management of resources;
v. Work with others: Work confidently within a group and contribute to achieve the common goals, understanding own role and how it supports the team and the organisation; able to cooperate, listen actively, manage conflicts and motivate colleagues.
NOTE
This vacancy is published as well internally at the grade bracket AD8 – AD12.
[1] Before appointment, a successful candidate shall be medically examined by an institution’s medical officer in order that the European Food Safety Authority may be satisfied that he/she fulfils the requirement of article 28(e) of the Staff Regulations of the Officials of the European Communities.
[2] Any academic qualification mentioned in the application form shall be duly supported by evidence (original or certified copies of e.g. diplomas, certification, etc.) Only qualifications issued by EU Member State authorities and qualifications recognised as equivalent by the relevant EU Member State authorities will be accepted. In instances where diplomas are obtained from a non-EU Member State, EFSA may request the candidate to provide a relevant document of comparability issued by a recognised authority.
[3] Any professional experience mentioned in the application form shall be duly supported by evidence (original or certified copies of e.g. contracts, payslips etc.). Professional experience shall be taken into account from the date on which the person fulfils the minimum qualifications for engagement. In order for your professional experience to be taken into consideration, it must be supported by relevant documents attesting an actual work relationship defined by the following elements: real, genuine work; on a paid basis; as employee (any type of contract), or provider of a service. Any given period may be counted only once (in order to be calculated as eligible, years of studies or professional experience to be taken into account shall not overlap with other periods of studies or professional experience). Professional activities pursued part-time will be calculated pro-rata on the basis of the certified percentage of full-time hours worked. Remunerated PhDs acquired in a field relevant to the job description can be counted as professional experience up to 3 years. Paid traineeships are counted as working experience. Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate(s) will need to provide original versions of documents proving the candidate’s work experience.
Source URL: https://careers.efsa.europa.eu/jobs/senior-scientific-officer-toxicology-322