European Food Safety Authority - 2024 EFSA Traineeships

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Agency of the European Union responsible for the risk assessment regarding food and feed safety in Europe, based in Parma, Italy is opening positions for Trainees (All Units and Departments).

You must satisfy the following requirements on the closing date for submission of your application:

I. Eligibility criteria

• Have obtained a university degree of at least 3 years by the closing date of applications (See Annex I for the minimum national qualifications);
• Have a good knowledge of English (minimum level: B2 according to CEFR);
• Have never been an EFSA trainee or employed by EFSA in any capacity, receiving any sort of remuneration;
• Meet the character requirements needed for the duties involved (e.g. a sworn affidavit to the effect that you have no criminal record).

II. Selection criteria

a) Experience and Knowledge

•  Knowledge of or experience in an area relating to the activities of EFSA.

b) Competencies

• Working with others: ability to work cooperatively with others in teams and across organisational boundaries and respect differences between people;
• Analysis and Problem Solving: ability to identify the critical facts in difficult issues and develop creative and practical solutions;
• Drive for results: ability to take personal responsibility and initiative for delivering high quality work;
• Communication in English: ability to communicate effectively in English;
• Generate, collect and collate evidence: ability to search, gather and interpret evidence (data and information) within the remit of the unit from all relevant sources;
• Manage projects: ability to manage time, resources and information in an effective manner for the achievement of the expected project results;
• Communicate information to different target audiences: ability to convey complex concepts and make them understandable to the target audience.

What we offer

EFSA Traineeship programme lasts for up to 12 months and offers you: 

• A unique professional experience as part of a team of scientists and business professionals from all over the world, working together on inspiring projects and various tasks in an international, multicultural, and friendly environment;

• An opportunity to get a taste of what an EU career is all about for an extended period (12 months) and experience that can act as a springboard for a number of career paths;

• Exposure to different areas and networks in EFSA, while developing personal and professional competencies;

• A mentoring/advising relationship: as a trainee you will have an adviser who will be your main point of contact and will be responsible for the overall coordination of your traineeship;

• A modern working environment with flexible working arrangements to help balance professional and personal lives: besides working in EFSA’s modern headquarter located in the heart of Parma, as an EFSA trainee you are also offered the possibility to telework up to 60% per week from the distance reachable to Parma within approximately 3 hours. Such conditions will allow you to enjoy working not only from home, but also from the Dolomite Mountains or the Ligurian Sea coast, etc.;

• A monthly grant of €1,463. 

WHY EFSA

You will play an active role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of 445 million EU citizens. You will also be part of a great network. Every year, we select around 100 trainees who join EFSA to work with more than 550 staff members as well as highly qualified and independent scientific experts engaged in our Scientific Committees and Panels as well as Working Groups. 

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 welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion, belief, or from disadvantaged backgrounds.  

All EFSA staff is committed to create an open and inclusive environment. You will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the EFSA Strategy 2027, aligned with the Transparency Regulation, which increased EFSA’s responsibilities towards EU citizens. 

The following are the objectives of the Strategy 2027: 

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. 

Life in Parma

In the heart of the so-called Food Valley because of its world-known culinary traditions and food industry, Parma, named also as an UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Creative City of Gastronomy, is a lively city of around 200.000 inhabitants located in the northern part of the Emilia-Romagna region, between the river Po valley, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the coast of the Liguria region.

The city is strategically located between major cities like Milano and Bologna and within reachable distance from places of industrial, touristic and cultural relevance. Parma is a culturally rich city with architecture from different periods, renown museums and several medieval castles. Ranked as one of the most liveable cities in Italy, a human centred, walkable, cyclable and pleasant town to live in, with a focus on public spaces, green areas and pedestrianisation, Parma and the Emilia-Romagna region can offer a high quality of life ensuring good living standards.   

As an EFSA trainee, you will be part of a lively and energetic team of young people organising many different social and cultural activities.