Scientific Officer – Food/Feed Microbiology, Animal Health & Welfare

at  European Food Safety Authority EFSA

EFSA/F/4/2024/02

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy
is looking for a
Scientific Officer – Food/Feed Microbiology, Animal Health & Welfare
(Contract Agent, Function Group IV)
Please send us your application by no later than 9 May 2024 at 23:59 (local time), following the instructions in the ANNEX.
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 31/12/2025. The validity of the talent pool may be extended.

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

EFSA is looking for passionate scientists to ensure the provision of scientific advice regarding the following domains:

• Food/Feed microbiology: biological hazards related to food safety and foodborne diseases, including foodborne zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, food/feed microbiology, food/feed hygiene, and waste management.
• Animal health: analysis of epidemiological data on animal health issues (viruses, bacteria, parasites, prions), epidemiological analysis of outbreak investigation, and risk assessment of i) prevention and control measures, ii) monitoring and surveillance programmes, and iii) disease incursion and spread, among others.
• Animal welfare: identification of welfare consequences and the related hazards, the assessment of the level of welfare and the use of animal-based measures

We are looking for scientists with a background in either Food/Feed Microbiology, Animal Health or, Animal Welfare and with excellent skills in data collection and data management, able to contribute to a positive environment for scientific cooperation.
If you are looking for an interesting and challenging opportunity in an international, scientifically driven organisation, then do not hesitate and send us your application today!

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.

1. Qualifications
   A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma providing your competencies in relation to food microbiology, animal health or animal welfare.[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.
2. Technical competencies
   i. At least 1 year of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
   a. Food/Feed Microbiology
   b. Animal Health
   c. Animal Welfare
   ii. Professional experience in performing scientific risk assessment, related to food/feed microbiology, animal health or animal welfare.
   iii. Professional experience in generating, collecting and collating scientific data, using relevant methodologies and an ability to understand and interpret reports in order to compile the evidence.
   iv. Experience in drafting clear, concise and structured scientific reports, opinions and guidance documents related to food/feed microbiology, animal health or animal welfare using appropriate scientific terminology in English.
   v. Experience in communicating scientific outputs to different target audiences, conveying technical scientific concepts to internal and external stakeholders (both orally and in writing) and making them understandable to the target audience.
   vi. Experience in managing scientific projects, ensuring on-time delivery of project outputs.
3. 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.

• Conduct a risk assessment in the field of food/feed microbiological safety, animal health or animal welfare.
• Contribute to the delivery of EFSA scientific outputs via working groups, grants and procurements in areas of food microbiology, animal health or animal welfare.
• Contribute to collect, analyse and evaluate data for preparing working documents related mainly to the scientific assessment.
• Provide administrative and scientific support to the activities of EFSA’s Scientific Panels and Working Groups in the relevant area (e.g. writing minutes, preparation of working documents, scientific opinions, etc.).
• Interact with European, national and international stakeholders related to the scientific activities of the organisation.
• Keep abreast of scientific and regulatory developments in the fields of food/feed microbiology, animal health or animal welfare to drive continuous process improvements and innovation initiatives.
• Communicate and present scientific outputs by conveying the right messages and by making scientific concepts understandable to the public.