Selection Criteria

Only complete applications will be considered.

The selection of applications for the Scientific Council will be based on the information provided in the cover letter, the candidates’ alignment with the required skills, an analysis of conflicts of interest, and the necessary multidisciplinary and diverse composition of the group to address the full scope of the issue at hand.

Public declarations of interest will be reviewed by Santé publique France’s Internal Ethics Committee.

Candidates will be informed of the outcome of the review of their application via email from the committee’s secretariat.

Members of the Scientific Council will be appointed by decision of the Director General of Santé publique France; the declarations of interests of Scientific Council members are published on the DPI SANTE website.

Members of the Scientific Council, the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee, and the Steering and Dialogue Committee of Santé publique France are not eligible to apply.

The Missions of Santé publique France – The National Public Health Agency

The National Public Health Agency, established by Order No. 2016-462 of April 14, 2016, is a public administrative institution of the State, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

It is organized around 10 scientific and cross-functional departments, 6 departments providing operational support, and has regional offices.

Its work program, approved by its Board of Directors, is structured around five priority areas: health determinants, populations, diseases, interventions and regions, and infrastructure.

To learn more about Santé publique France’s missions: Click here

Mandate of the Scientific Council

Feedback from ecological studies conducted locally around industrial sites or contaminated soil situations has highlighted the limitations and difficulties in interpreting this type of study conducted around a single site (lack of statistical power to detect a potential excess risk, ecological bias, etc.). Consequently, Santé publique France has initiated a review of the implementation of multicenter studies around sites with common characteristics.

Initially, following a referral from the Directorate General for Health regarding the advisability of establishing epidemiological surveillance around major French industrial basins, it was decided to assess the feasibility of conducting a multicenter study focused on industrial basins. These areas, which suffer from multiple sources of environmental pollution, are often perceived as generating noise, odor, and visual nuisances, leading to a decline in the health of the local population.

After identifying the industrial areas present on French territory and conducting a review of the various types of studies carried out locally,¹ Santé publique France proposes to implement an ecological study to be conducted around several industrial areas sharing common characteristics in terms of activities. A national surveillance program, based on the repeated conduct of this study over time, would then allow for the monitoring of various health indicators among the populations living near these industrial areas.

In a second phase, it will be considered to conduct multicenter studies on other contaminated soil situations (sensitive facilities or mines).

This project involves numerous shared partners on whom Santé publique France can legitimately rely and with whom it can collaborate.

The project’s priorities are to reflect on the methodological aspects of multicenter studies, initially focusing on industrial basins and then on contaminated soil sites, with the aim of conducting epidemiological surveillance.

An initial scientific advisory board of about ten members was already established in April 2021. This call for applications is intended to strengthen the expertise within the existing Scientific Advisory Board.

Composition of the Scientific Council

This Scientific Council will consist of a total of about fifteen members, both French and foreign, appointed by the Director General of Santé publique France.

Members of the Scientific Council will serve in their own capacity and therefore cannot be replaced.

The Scientific Council must have a multidisciplinary composition (see below for the expertise sought) in order to provide a broad perspective on the scientific challenges posed by the proposed methodological approaches.

Desired expertise

Expertise currently represented on the Scientific Advisory Board:

• Environmental epidemiology

• Exposometrics: characterization of environmental exposure (soil)

• Toxicology

Desired complementary expertise:

• Exposometrics:

  • characterization of environmental exposure at and around industrial facilities (emission sources, assessment and/or modeling of exposures in various environments)

  • knowledge of environmental databases characterizing the state of the environment

• Humanities and Social Sciences:

  • regional health inequalities

  • sociology (participatory approach, stakeholder relations)

Experience in soliciting or conducting studies on the topic of contaminated soil and/or the impact of active ICPEs.

How the Scientific Council Operates

This Scientific Council was established in April 2021 for a four-year term, renewable. The chair of the council was appointed from among its members by the Director General of Santé publique France.

The Scientific Council meets twice a year and as needed, depending on the project’s progress.

Members of the Scientific Council sign a “Confidentiality Agreement and a Commitment to Attend Meetings Regularly” and to participate in any necessary drafting or review work in between meetings.

All members have access to the information held by Santé publique France that is necessary for the requested work.
The Director General of Santé publique France provides them with the resources necessary for the Scientific Council’s operations.

The scientific and administrative secretariat of this committee is provided by the Health, Environment, and Work Directorate of Santé publique France.

The Scientific Council may hold hearings with any individual whose knowledge and experience are deemed necessary for its mission.

When issuing its opinions and recommendations, the Scientific Council may be required to meet in closed session. Opinions and recommendations shall be issued unanimously or by majority vote, with minority opinions noted.

Travel Allowances and Expenses

Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the conditions applicable to civilian government employees.

Compensation for members of the Scientific Council for attending meetings and producing work (reviewing and editing texts prepared by the Agency, drafting content, etc.) is based on the schedule established by the Board of Directors of Santé publique France.