Santé publique France, the national public health agency, is issuing a call for applications to establish a Scientific Advisory Board to validate a method for identifying and conducting epidemiological monitoring of workers exposed to intentionally produced nanomaterials, who will be enrolled in a prospective cohort study called EpiNano. The purpose of this initiative is to detect harmful health effects associated with such exposures at an early stage.

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 curriculum vitae;

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

• a public declaration of interest 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 March 2, 2018, to the following address: conseil_scientifique_epinano@santepubliquefrance.fr.

Selection Criteria

Only complete applications will be considered. A basic knowledge of the French language is required, as meetings are conducted and working documents are drafted in French.The selection of applications for the Scientific Advisory Board regarding the amendment of the original protocol for the EpiNano system for the epidemiological surveillance of workers handling intentionally produced nanomaterials in France will be based on the information provided in the cover letter, the candidates’ alignment with the sought-after competencies, an analysis of conflicts of interest, and the necessary multidisciplinary and diverse composition of the group to address the issue at hand. Declarations of interest will be reviewed by the Internal Ethics Committee of Santé publique France. Candidates will be informed of the outcome of the review of their application via email from the Council’s secretariat.Members of the Scientific Council are appointed by decision of the Director General of Santé publique France; the Council’s composition is published on the agency’s 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.

Missions of 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.

The Agency’s missions are:

• epidemiological observation and monitoring of the health status of the population;

• monitoring health risks threatening the population;

• health promotion and the reduction of health risks;

• developing prevention and health education;

• preparing for and responding to health threats, alerts, and crises;

• issuing health alerts.

Mandate of the Scientific Council

The rapid and significant industrial growth of nanomaterials raises questions about the potential risks they pose to human health, whether through occupational or environmental exposure. Since workplace exposure is the most significant, the number of exposed workers is increasing due to the growing use of nanomaterials in industrial processes.

Santé publique France has been commissioned by the Directorate General for Health and the Directorate General for Labor to establish a surveillance system for workers potentially exposed to manufactured nano-objects, their aggregates, and their agglomerates. Following a feasibility study, a prospective cohort of workers potentially exposed to four families of manufactured nanomaterials—titanium dioxide (n-TiO2), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), amorphous silicon dioxide (n-SiO₂), and carbon black—entered the implementation phase under the name "EpiNano System" in January 2014.

After three years of operation and due to low participation by companies, it was decided to review the methodology for implementing this initiative.

This independent Scientific Council will serve as the primary advisory body for all scientific questions raised by the cohort.

Its analyses and proposals will focus on methodological aspects, the validity, and the interpretation of results.

The Scientific Council may propose studies and research to be conducted in the field of epidemiological surveillance of the effects of nanomaterials.

In addition, the Scientific Council may be called upon on an ad hoc basis to analyze and provide a scientific assessment of work conducted outside the cohort, in the fields of epidemiological surveillance and observation of exposure to nanomaterials.

Santé publique France will provide the Scientific Council with:

• the revised study protocol;

• the three-year operational report on the first phase (2014–2016) of the EpiNano program;

• an update on the literature regarding the potential health effects of nanomaterials (exposure studies, toxicology/toxicokinetics studies, epidemiological studies, etc.);

• any documents available to Santé publique France.

The revised protocol is expected in 2018.

Composition of the Scientific Council

This Scientific Council will consist of approximately ten members, both French and foreign, appointed by the Director General of Santé publique France.

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

The expertise required for this Scientific Council must enable the validation of the EpiNano cohort protocol.

Skills Sought

Given the wide range of topics to be covered, Santé publique France is seeking generalists and individuals with expertise in research methods.

General qualifications

• interest in public health approaches;

• ability to work collaboratively;

• experience participating in working groups.

Specific skills

• biostatistics and epidemiology, particularly in the field of cohorts (longitudinal models) and the National Health Data System (NHDS);

• toxicology, toxicokinetics;

• chemistry, materials science, particularly nanomaterials;

• occupational health and occupational risk prevention.

Functioning of the "EpiNano Initiative" Scientific Advisory Board

The "EpiNano Initiative" Scientific Advisory Board is established for a four-year term, renewable. The group is expected to begin its work in the first quarter of 2018, with the protocol to be validated by the end of 2018. The Scientific Advisory Board will meet two to three times in the first year, then once a year for one-day sessions.The workload for members is estimated at a minimum of 10 days in the first year. Members will sign a “Confidentiality Agreement and Commitment to Regularly Attend Meetings.” The Scientific Advisory Board will have access to all information held by Santé publique France that is necessary for the requested work. The Director General of Santé publique France will provide the resources necessary for its operation.The scientific secretariat of this Scientific Council is provided by the Occupational Health Directorate of Santé publique France. The Scientific Council may conduct hearings with any individual whose knowledge, information, and experience are deemed necessary for the completion of the work, particularly regarding the scientific quality, feasibility, and operationality of the proposed system.

Compensation and Travel Expenses

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

Compensation for loss of income in the case of self-employed individuals 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 Required for authentication on the single website for public declarations of interest (DPI).