Data Scientist
Data Scientist
EFSA/X/AD/2020/03
EFSA - European Food Safety Authority
Parma, Italy
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy is looking for a Data Scientist (Temporary Agent, Grade AD8).
Please send us your application by no later than 15 September 2020 at midnight (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 31/12/2021. The validity of the talent pool may be extended.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?
Are you an analytical, data-driven professional? Are you attracted by the power of data and how it can be used to innovate and transform scientific organisations such as EFSA? Do you possess solid technological skills and can you communicate clearly innovative ideas to your internal and external stakeholders?
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 still today!
Your key responsibilities
- Establish and maintain data science practices throughout the organisation;
- Create automated anomaly detection systems and provide for constant tracking of its performance;
- Carry out ad-hoc analysis and present the results to different target audiences;
- Select features, build and optimize classifiers using machine learning techniques and building statistical and mathematical models;
- Extend the organisation's data with third party sources of information;
- Ensure activities of processing, cleansing, and verifying the integrity of data used for analysis;
- Perform data and text mining using state-of-the-art methods;
- Extract non-trivial knowledge and insights from EFSA data and information to improve decision making.
WHY EFSA?
You will play an active role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of 500 million EU citizens.
EFSA employs approximately 450 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.
You will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are preparing for the implementation of the Transparency Regulation: EFSA will expand its mandate and grow considerably over the next few years.
To find out more about EFSA, visit us at www.efsa.europa.eu.
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. Its centre is rich in art, there are parks and architecture from different periods. Parma is famous for its food, wine and its varied surrounding landscape with small villages, rich in history, medieval castles, and picturesque countryside. Parma is strategically located between major Italian cities like Milano and Bologna, and also within reachable distance of ski resorts, natural parks, seaside and mountains.
Salary and benefits
EFSA can offer the selected candidate a contract of 5 years with the possibility of renewal.
The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent Grade AD8 with the basic salary starting from € 7.072 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in 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 Community tax deducted at source and staff members are exempt from national taxation;
- 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, conditions of employment and benefits can be found at the following links:
Staff Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
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) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma[2];
OR
b) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma[2], and in addition at least one (1) year of professional experience.
3. Experience
In addition to the above, at least nine (9) 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 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
- At least 6 years of professional experience in data science, in particular experience in developing statistical models, using state-of-the art data and text mining and machine learning tools;
- Experience with cloud platforms;
- Experience in the use of statistical programming languages such as SAS, R or Python, and data format languages such as XML, RDF or JSON;
- Experience in identifying, gathering, collating and analysing evidence and large data sets of structured and unstructured data for further interpretation, including results reporting;
- Experience in drafting clear, concise, and structured scientific reports using appropriate scientific terminology;
- Experience in communicating complex and/or technical information to different target audiences;
- Experience in project management, ensuring on-time delivery of project outputs.
2. Behavioural competencies
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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
Candidates 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 and appeal procedures.
[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 he/she 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 (original or certified 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 (original or certified copies of e.g. contracts, payslips etc.). Professional experience shall be taken into account from the date on which the person fulfils the minimum qualifications for engagement. In order for your professional experience to be taken into consideration, it must be supported by relevant documents attesting an actual work relationship defined by the following elements: real, genuine work; on a paid basis; as employee (any type of contract), or provider of a service. Any given period may be counted only once (in order to be calculated as eligible, years of studies or professional experience to be taken into account shall not overlap with other periods of studies or professional experience). Professional activities pursued part-time will be calculated pro-rata on the basis of the certified percentage of full-time hours worked. Remunerated PhDs acquired in a field relevant to the job description can be counted as professional experience up to 3 years. Paid traineeships are counted as working experience. Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate(s) will need to provide original versions of documents proving the candidate’s work experience.
