Scientific Officer

Scientific Officer - StatisticianEFSA/X/AD/*******The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italyis looking for aScientific Officer - Statistician for Uncertainty Analysis and Elicitation Methods(Temporary Agent, Grade AD7)Please send us your application by no later than 18 December **** 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 31/12/2026.The validity of the talent pool may be extended.IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?Are you a dedicated statistician who wants to apply your knowledge in the context of regulatory risk assessments of food?Are you interested in discussing statistical methods and results with subject-matter experts and supporting communication with risk manages at the European Commission, Member States, and the public?You will work in the Methodology & Scientific Support Unit within the Risk Assessment Services Department.The team provides end-to-end methods development and support within the scientific assessment process.Therefore, you will regularly collaborate with the risk assessment production units, EFSA panels and their working groups, as well as EFSA networks of member state experts.Your tasks will include both the implementation of existing guidance documents and the development of new methodologies.You will focus on the quantitative aspects of risk assessment.In this role, you will analyse topics, propose quantitative questions, review evidence, suggest suitable methods, and perform or steer data analysis.A major part of your work will involve weighing heterogenous sources of evidence, estimating uncertainties and eliciting expert knowledge, as well as describing the remaining uncertainties in the conclusions.Your key responsibilitiesWe are looking for an enthusiastic and versatile statistician who will take a leading role in quantitative risk and uncertainty analysis of food safety risk assessments and in the development and implementation methods for the structured elicitation of expert judgement.The successful candidate together with colleagues will provide the support in the use of these methodologies to the different areas within EFSA and will work in a multidisciplinary environment with scientific experts and colleagues from several EFSA units and with EFSA partners in the field (e.g. other EU agencies, the European Commission, EU Member State competent authorities).Establish and maintain practices and methodologies for the structured elicitation of expert judgements throughout the organisation;Establish and maintain practices and methodologies for uncertainty analysis throughout the organisation;Carry out and review statistical analysis and modelling and present the results to different target audiences;Develop guidance and methodology documents and contribute to scientific outputs;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 565 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.EFSA is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates without any distinction on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, impairment and disability, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief.All EFSA staff is committed to creating an open and inclusive environment.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.You will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the EFSA Strategy ****, aligned with the Transparency Regulation, which increased EFSA's responsibilities towards EU citizens.The following are the objectives of the Strategy ****.1. Deliver trustworthy scientific advice and communication of risks from farm to fork.2. Ensure preparedness for future risk analysis needs.3. Empower people and ensure organisational agility.To find out more about EFSA, have look at EFSA at a glance and our website atWHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?Life in ParmaParma is a lively city of around 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 benefitsEFSA can offer the selected candidate a contract of 5 years with the possibility of renewal.If renewed for a second time, the contract will be for an indefinite period.More information can be found in the Notice on policy on the duration of staff contracts at EFSA.The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent Grade AD7 with the basic salary starting from € *****,86 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in Article 64 and 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 Union 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 headquarters 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, benefits, obligations and conditions of employment can be found at the following links:Staff RegulationsFrequently Asked QuestionsWHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS?You must satisfy the following requirements on the closing date for submission of your application:I. Eligibility criteria1.General requirementsBe 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.Qualificationsa) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma(2) in a relevant scientific or quantitative discipline such as Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Epidemiology, Public Health, Economics, or any related discipline;ORb) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma(2) in a relevant scientific or quantitative discipline such as Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Epidemiology, Public Health, Economics, or any related discipline and in addition at least one (1) year of professional experience.3.ExperienceIn addition to the above, at least six (6) 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 criteriaThe 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 competenciesi.Data Analysis and Statistical Modelling – At least 6 years of experience in statistical, probabilistic, or computational methods to analyse data, model uncertainty and support decision-making under incomplete information.ii.Food Safety Risk Assessment – At least 3 years of experience in quantitative food safety risk assessment, including hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose–response evaluation, and risk characterization.iii.Uncertainty Analysis – Experience in identifying, quantifying, and interpreting uncertainty in scientific data, models, and risk assessments, e.g. developing confidence intervals, uncertainty distributions, and sensitivity analyses.iv.Structured Expert Judgment Processes – Experience in designing and implementing structured processes to gather and integrate judgments, estimates, or insights from subject-matter experts where empirical data are limited or uncertain.v. Project Management – Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage complex scientific projects involving multidisciplinary teams, ensuring timely delivery of outputs, quality assurance, and proper documentation.2.Behavioural competenciesi.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.NOTECandidates are invited to read the ANNEX that represents an integral part of this vacancy and provides information on how to complete the application, the steps of the selection process, the rules on independence and appeal procedures.Selection steps applicable to this selection procedure: following the evaluation phase the best qualified candidates will be directly invited to the written test and interview with the selection board.Candidates are particularly encouraged to take into consideration the information on Pre and post-occupational activities.Grade bracket for interagency publication AD5 - AD7.(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 the candidate 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 ( 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 ( copies of e.g. contracts, payslips etc.).Professional experience shall be taken into