Application Guidelines

The application package must include:

• a cover letter providing professional and personal contact information, an email address, and a cell phone number1;

• a resume;

• a list of works/publications from the past 5 years;

• a public declaration of interests to be completed on the DPI portal accessible via the following link: https://dpi-declaration.sante.gouv.fr/dpi-webapp/app/candidature/index

The application must be submitted by January 1, 2019, to the following address: candidatures_comiteexpertsATMS@santepubliquefrance.fr.

Application Selection Criteria

Only complete applications will be considered.

A basic knowledge of French is preferred, as meetings are conducted and working documents are written in French.

Applications will be selected based on the information provided in the cover letter, the candidates’ alignment with the required skills, an analysis of shared interests, and the necessary multidisciplinary and diverse composition of the group to address the subject comprehensively.

Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.

English version

• Call for applications for a scientific committee on 'Transversal Upper Limb Reduction Deficiency'

Terms of Reference for the Scientific Expert Committee

This scientific expert committee is established as part of the referral to Santé publique France and ANSES by the Ministers of Solidarity and Health, Ecological and Solidarity Transition, and Agriculture and Food, following the identification of three clusters of ATMS. This Committee will be composed of 12 to 15 scientific experts covering all scientific disciplines relevant to these investigations.

In addition, a steering and monitoring committee involving representatives of those affected and stakeholders concerned by this referral will be established in parallel by Santé publique France and ANSES.

The scientific expert committee has the following tasks:

• to identify the issues that warrant investigation and the analyses to be conducted in order to enable Santé publique France and ANSES to initially address the expectations of the referral regarding ATMS, based on the work and expert assessments conducted by Santé publique France and ANSES within the scope of their respective mandates. It will also take into account, in a second phase, broader expectations in the field of congenital malformations, which may arise in particular from the work of the Steering and Monitoring Committee;

• based on the results of this work, the literature review, and additional investigations conducted by Santé publique France, ANSES, and their partners (registers, etc.), propose an interpretation of the epidemiological data and the results of the work conducted, as well as the methodological approaches to be developed (detection and investigation procedures, particularly environmental ones);

• in light of the information thus gathered, communicate to Santé publique France and ANSES the conclusions, opinions, and recommendations they deem necessary to respond to the referral.

Operating and Working Principles

Operation

The expert committee is established for the duration necessary to successfully complete its mission.

The committee chair is appointed from among its members by the directors-general of the two agencies. The committee will meet at least three times in 2019

The committee’s work complies with the legislative and regulatory principles governing health expertise, and in particular the working procedures established by the Expertise Charter approved by Decree 2013-413 of May 21, 2013.

The Director General of Santé publique France and the Director General of ANSES provide the committee with the resources necessary for its proper functioning, including the necessary epidemiological data and analyses, relevant literature reviews, etc.

The scientific secretariat of the committee is jointly provided by Santé publique France and ANSES. For practical reasons, it has been agreed between Santé publique France and ANSES that the logistical and administrative arrangements necessary to ensure the committee’s proper functioning and compliance with ethical principles (rules of procedure, organization, analysis of conflicts of interest, confidentiality declarations, etc.) will be managed by Santé publique France.

The committee may conduct hearings with any individual or entity whose knowledge, information, and experience are deemed necessary for the completion of the expert assessment, particularly regarding the feasibility and practicality of the proposed recommendations.

In order to formulate the positions (questions, opinions, recommendations, etc.) for which it is tasked, the committee is intended to draw upon the work and expertise conducted in particular by Santé publique France and ANSES within their respective areas of expertise.

In particular, it may consult with the relevant departments of the agencies or any other body it deems appropriate, both regarding the feasibility of the work to be carried out and the results thereof.

Composition of the Scientific Expert Committee

This Committee of Experts will consist of 12 to 15 French or foreign scientists of international standing who have responded to the call for applications and have been appointed by the Directors General of Santé publique France and ANSES for a maximum term of three years.

The experts will serve in their personal capacity and may not be replaced. This is an appointment based on personal merit and not institutional representation.

As with any health-related expertise, the experts’ conflicts of interest will be reviewed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Participation in this scientific committee is incompatible with serving as an employee or member of a governing body of either agency.

Required Expertise

Scientific expertise

• Genetics (human and animal)

• Obstetrics

• Pediatrics/perinatal medicine

• Prenatal and genetic diagnosis/counseling, management of congenital malformations and conditions;

• Human and animal embryology;

• Toxicology, particularly reproductive and developmental toxicology (human and animal), for various risk factors (chemicals, physical agents, ionizing radiation, pathogens);

• Pharmacology;

• Epidemiology (in human and animal health);

• Infectious diseases/virology;

• Environmental and occupational epidemiology;

• Biostatistics (including spatiotemporal detection, data mining, etc.);

• Humanities and social sciences;

• Ethics.

General Skills

• Knowledge of and interest in public health approaches;

• Knowledge of tools for assessing scientific uncertainties and levels of evidence;

• Ability to work collaboratively and in a multidisciplinary manner, including under pressure (tight deadlines, significant uncertainties);

• Experience participating in expert committees;

• Experience in formulating operational recommendations for expert agencies and public authorities.

Compensation and benefits

Consistent with the above, the rules and procedures for coverage will be those applicable to Santé publique France.

Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed under the conditions applicable to civilian government employees.

Compensation for loss of income in the case of private practice and compensation for time spent participating in meetings and for work performed will be based on the scale established by the Board of Directors of Santé publique France.

¹ Santé publique France: /Sante-publique-France/Qui-sommes-nous/Missions-et-actions. ANSES: https://www.anses.fr/fr

² Required for authentication on the single website for public declarations of interest (DPI)