EU Food Safety Authority seeks scientists

Brussels, 21 Jan 2003

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is seeking scientists with a background in risk assessment to join its scientific committee and scientific panels.

The central role of the authority is to provide independent scientific opinions in support of Community legislation and policies. The opinions are based on risk assessments of matters having a direct or indirect impact on the safety of foodstuffs and animal feed and in the fields of animal heath and welfare and plant health.

Among the EFSA's tasks is the provision of scientific opinions on nutrition, particularly with reference to Community legislation, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and new food technologies.

The scientific committee is composed of six independent scientists who are not members of a panel and the chairpersons of the eight panels. It will be responsible for general coordination and for opinions of a multi-sectoral nature outside the competence of the individual panels.

A panel will exist for each of the following areas:

- food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food;

- additives and products or substances used in animal feed;

- plant health, plant protection products and their residues;

- genetically modified organisms;

- dietetic products, nutrition and allergies;

- biological hazards (including BSE and TSEs);

- contaminants in the food chain;

- animal health and welfare.

Each panel will comprise no more than 21 members and will be responsible for providing the authority's scientific opinions.

Applicants must have a university degree in a relevant scientific area, preferably at postgraduate level, and at least 10 years' professional experience. Members will be appointed for a period of three years. The authority is provisionally located in Brussels.
For further information on the EFSA, please visit:
http://www.efsa.eu.int
or contact:
E-mail: sanco-efsa-scientist@cec.eu.int
Remarks: The deadline for submitting applications is 14.03.2003

CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities