Scientific Data Officer
EFSA/F/4/2025/02
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) based in Parma Italy
is looking for a
Scientific Data Officer
(Contract Agent Function Group IV)
Please send us your application by no later than 19 January 2026at 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 until31/12/2026. The validity of the talent pool may be extended.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU
Your work will primarily be in the context of the activities supporting the preparation and provision of data to the Common Data platform on Chemicals (CDPC regulation). EFSAs role in the CDPC is to send the datasets listed by the CDPC regulation to ECHA according to the agreed formats. Within the CDPC project you will support the identification of the required datasets the validation curation and preparation of data as well as their conversion to the required format and their delivery to ECHA platform.
As the International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID) data format is pivotal for the platform you will support EFSA in transitioning to the use of IUCLID for the chemical food domain that are concerned by the CDPC and that today do not use IUCLID.
Other tasks for this profile may relate to other data management tools or data governance activities. Other activities could include the design maintenance and implementation of data pipelines of other EFSA scientific and corporate domains as well as data stewardship and/or support to internal and external Stakeholders.
Your key responsibilities
You will be assigned one or more of the following responsibilities:
Support the establishment of agreed vocabularies and common data formats making sure that data on chemicals is handled consistently remains high in quality and its origin and changes (lineage) are clearly tracked. Ensure that data about the regulatory processes and outcomes are identified and managed in a uniformed way.
Perform data analysis tasks to provide business insight on EFSA chemical/food datasets.
Liaise with relevant EFSA Stakeholders to identify the data that need to be included in the CDPC and ensure that the data is in the correct format and acceptable quality.
Support EFSA Science Units and other Stakeholders (Applicants Member States European Commission etc.) in translating scientific study reports into structured data and transitioning towards the use of IUCLID dossiers and related data formats (e.g. OECD Harmionised Templates - OHTs).
Act as Data Steward for specific EFSA scientific domains ensuring that the data collected and managed by EFSA also beyond the CDPC is compliant with specific regulations and with the required Data Quality.
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 around 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.
EFSAs 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.
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 Contract Agent Function Group IVwith the basic salary starting from 4 44931 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 EFSAs 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:
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 level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma.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. Proven professional experience with one or more of the following data tools and formats: IUCLID E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) platform FoodEx2 Standard Sample Description (SSD2) Notification of Studies (NOS) database;
ii. Proven experience of scientific and/or regulatory requirements related to food/feed safety assessment;
iii. At least one year of proven experience in data management or data stewardship using chemical databases analysis software statistical software or programming languages (e.g. MicroStrategy SAS Power BI Python R Spark or equivalent technologies) applying Software Development Life Cycle principles supporting Agile and DevOps methodologies;
iv. Proven professional experience in working with projects related to data within the chemical/food/feed/biological domain.
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
1 Before appointment a successful candidate shall be medically examined by an institutions medical officer in order that the European Food Safety Authority may be satisfied that the candidatefulfils 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 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.